Apple (AAPL) Is Developing Smart Glasses to Outperform Meta — Here’s How They Look

TLDR

• Apple is evaluating at least four frame designs for its forthcoming AI smart glasses, known internally as N50.
• Style options comprise rectangular, oval, and circular shapes in colors such as black, ocean blue, and light brown.
• The company is considering a distinctive vertical oval camera lens encircled by lights.
• Acetate will be used for a higher-quality construction, and the glasses will work with iPhone and Siri.
• A launch is planned for late 2026 or early 2027, with deliveries anticipated before the close of 2027.

(SeaPRwire) –   Apple is working on its inaugural AI smart glasses and is presently assessing a minimum of four different frame designs, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

New details released by @markgurman on what Apple’s upcoming AI powered glasses could look like:

• A large rectangular frame, similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarers
• A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Tim Cook
• Larger oval or circular frames
• A smaller,… pic.twitter.com/6eZqrg2qTj

— Apple Vision Report (@spatialreport) April 12, 2026

The design prototypes feature a large rectangular frame akin to Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a narrower rectangular version, and two choices in oval or circular shapes—one larger and one smaller. The sleeker rectangular style is reported to look like the frames worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Power On: Apple’s upcoming AI smart glasses will come in several styles and colors – and the company is testing a unique vertical oval camera design. The latest on Apple’s next major product. https://t.co/yzOer1yXfo

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 12, 2026

Apple intends to provide several color options, including black, ocean blue, and light brown. The primary frame structure will be constructed from acetate, a sturdier and more high-end material compared to the typical plastic employed by many rivals.

The internal codename for the glasses is N50.

A Camera System Built to Stand Out

A particularly notable design feature under consideration is a camera arrangement that uses vertically aligned oval lenses surrounded by lighting elements. This approach contrasts with the circular camera design found in Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

The cameras will enable photo and video recording. The glasses will also be equipped with microphones and speakers for handling calls, playing music, and receiving alerts.

A multimodal AI model will drive the device’s functionality, incorporating Siri and visual intelligence capabilities. This product will not feature augmented reality—Apple is developing a separate AR glasses product with built-in displays, but its release is more distant.

Taking Aim at Meta

Meta presently holds the top position in the smart glasses market. According to Counterpoint Research, this category expanded by 139% year-over-year in the latter half of 2025, growth largely fueled by Meta’s products.

Apple’s objective seems to be crafting a product that is immediately identifiable and differentiates itself from existing offerings.

Gurman observed that if successful—especially with a fully capable Siri—the glasses could emulate the trajectory of the Apple Watch: not the first to launch, but ultimately becoming the market leader.

Apple is not the only company pursuing new AI hardware. The firm is also anticipated to introduce a foldable iPhone in September 2026, alongside camera-equipped AirPods, a smart home display, and a wearable pendant device.

Apple aims to unveil the smart glasses around the end of 2026 or in early 2027, with customer shipments starting by the end of 2027.