Apple Shifts Focus from Affordable Vision Pro to AI-Powered Smart Glasses
For months, rumors circulated about a more affordable version of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, intended to broaden accessibility to spatial computing. However, Apple appears to have altered its strategy. Following the unveiling of Meta’s smart glasses (Ray-Ban Display), Apple will now concentrate on developing a competing product – AI-powered smart glasses – adn has paused work on the previously anticipated, lower-cost Vision Pro model, internally known as “Vision Air.”
This new direction involves a shift away from a head-mounted display towards a more conventional glasses form factor. The initial version of these smart glasses will not include a screen. Instead, they will feature cameras, microphones, and an artificial intelligence system designed to provide practical functionality. These functions include displaying notifications, recognizing surroundings, and offering enhanced voice assistance.
Apple aims to integrate these glasses into both the technology and fashion spheres, offering customizable frames, colors, and materials to ensure they appear as everyday eyewear, appealing even to those without a need for vision correction.
The company plans to release a first version of the smart glasses as early as next year, with a broader launch targeted for 2027. A version incorporating a display screen remains a future goal,dependent on technological advancements and market readiness.
These glasses are expected to utilize an Apple-designed chip but will likely rely on the iPhone for processing, at least in their initial iterations. A considerably upgraded Siri, anticipated for release in spring 2026, will be central to the glasses’ functionality, providing a more powerful and useful assistant experience.
Apple intends for these smart glasses to become a ubiquitous part of daily life, similar to the Apple Watch, prioritizing practicality and aesthetic appeal.The success of this vision hinges on a fluid user experience, lightweight design, and substantial improvements to Siri’s intelligence.
Despite this shift in focus, Apple remains committed to the original Vision Pro.An update featuring the M5 chip is planned for release this year, demonstrating continued investment in the high-end spatial computing headset. The advancement of the more affordable “vision Air” has been put on hold, potentially indefinitely, as Apple prioritizes competing directly with meta in the emerging smart glasses market.
