In summary:
- Macworld reports Apple is testing four different frame designs for its upcoming smartglasses, including Wayfarer-like and slimmer rectangular styles in colors like black, light brown, and ocean blue.
- The smartglasses will feature vertically oriented oval cameras and integrate with iPhones for calls, Siri commands, photos, and music playback.
- Apple expects to announce the device by year-end with an early 2027 release, aiming to compete with Meta’s AI glasses.
A new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman provides a bit more detail about Apple’s upcoming smartglasses. Gurman has reported earlier this year that the Apple Smart Glasses are designed to compete with Meta AI glasses and similar devices.
Gurman reports that Apple has four different frame designs in testing, and could launch some or all of them:
- A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers
- Larger oval or circular frames
- A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook
- A smaller, more refined oval or circular option
Apple is also testing different finishes, such as black, light brown, and ocean blue, and the frames are made of acetate, which Gurman describes as “more durable and luxurious than the standard plastic.”
The built-in cameras are said to be “vertically oriented oval lenses with surrounding lights,” a different shape from Meta’s circular cameras. Apple’s goal with the design is to make the glasses “instantly recognizable” as an Apple product. Meta AI glasses currently use frames by Ray-Ban and Oakley.
Previous reports state that the smartglasses will work with an iPhone to let the user make phone calls, use Siri, take photos, and play music. The user interface will involve voice commands and a separate camera to provide the device an enviromental context.
Apple is planning to announce the smartglasses by the end of this year, with a release date in early 2027, according to Gurman.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor, Macworld
Roman is a Macworld Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the Mac and other products in the Apple ecosystem. He is also the host of the Macworld Podcast. His career started at MacUser, where he received Apple certification as a repair technician (when Apple did that kind of thing). He's also worked for MacAddict, MacLife, and TechTV.