Apple Smart Glasses could โOffer two Distinct Display โModes
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA – Apple’s long-rumored augmented reality glasses โare reportedly โbeing developed with the capability โto switch between โคtwo distinct display modes: a standard mode and a “breakthrough”โฃ mode leveraging in-lens display technology, accordingโ to recent reporting. The dual-mode approach aims to balance functionality, battery โlife, and cost for โฃthe โฃhighly anticipated โdevice.
The glasses, currently codenamedโ “Sight,” โare envisioned as a premium AR headset positioned asโ a successor to existing smart glasses and a potential competitor to devices like the โฃMeta Quest 3. While details remain scarce,the development โคsuggests Apple isโค prioritizing a sophisticated visual experience,possibly offering both a consistently-on,lower-power standard modeโฃ for everyday use andโ a higher-fidelity,more immersive mode powered by โmicro-LEDโ technology embedded โขdirectly within the lenses.
This in-lens display technology, โฃsourced from TSMC, is expected to deliver substantially improved image quality and brightness comparedโข to conventional waveguide displays used โขin many currentโ AR headsets. However, the complexity and cost of manufacturing micro-LED โฃdisplays are considerable, leading Apple to explore the dual-mode strategy. The โคstandard mode woudl likelyโ utilize a less power-intensive displayโฃ technology to extend battery life during typical use cases likeโค messaging or navigation.โ
Sources indicate Apple has faced challenges in balancing โperformance, โweight, and thermal management during development.โ The glasses areโข expected โto feature a customโ R1 chip alongside the M4 chip,dedicated to processingโ sensor data and enabling low-latency ARโ experiences. While a 2025โฃ release was previouslyโ speculated,โ current โestimates point towards a potential launch in lateโฃ 2026, contingent on overcoming remaining engineering hurdles โขand finalizing softwareโค integration with visionOS.
