Apple plans seven new Vision and Smart Glasses devices by 2027, says analyst
Kuo claims that Apple continues to view head-mounted devices as 'the next major trend in consumer electronics,' and is investing heavily in a diverse range of products designed to span both high-end extended reality (XR) experiences and mass-market smart wearables.
Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro may have cooled off in headlines, but it's not being left behind. Kuo reports that an upgraded version of the Vision Pro will enter mass production in Q3 2025. This update will reportedly feature a shift from Apple's M2 chip to a newer M5 processor, but is otherwise expected to remain nearly identical in form and function—a relatively minor iteration that may not move the needle for consumers hungry for something new.
Vision Air
The real shift may arrive in 2027 with what Kuo calls the Vision Air—a "substantially lighter" XR headset aimed at a broader audience, reports Mashable. By ditching premium materials like titanium for lighter magnesium alloy, and scaling back on sensors and glass components, Apple is said to be targeting a 40 per cent reduction in weight compared to the current Vision Pro.
The Vision Air will reportedly be powered by the same processor as that year's flagship iPhone, and, crucially, will launch at a much lower price point.
A redesigned and more affordable Vision Pro successor is also in development, Kuo adds, but it won't arrive until the second half of 2028.
Apple Smart Glasses
Perhaps more intriguing is Apple's entry into the smart glasses category. Kuo reports that a Ray-Ban-like wearable—inspired by Meta's popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses—is on track for mass production in Q2 2027.
These Apple smart glasses won't feature displays but will offer audio playback, voice control, gesture input, and AI-powered environmental sensing, making them ideal for contextual tasks, notifications, and seamless daily interaction. Think of them as a more intelligent version of AirPods—on your face.
Apple's smart glasses are expected to lean into AI in a big way, aiming to provide intuitive functionality beyond what current competitors offer.
XR Glasses
Apple is also said to be developing XR Glasses featuring LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) displays, voice control, and gesture recognition. These will reportedly take things further in terms of immersive functionality, potentially rivaling AR offerings from Meta and Xiaomi.
Interestingly, a separate display-tethered accessory for the Apple Vision Max was under development but has now been shelved—though not entirely canceled, according to Kuo.
Five of the seven head-mounted Apple products have confirmed production timelines, most of them clustered around 2027—a year that could become Apple's biggest leap in the AR/VR/smart wearables category yet.
That said, competition is heating up fast. Meta, Xiaomi, and others are already on their second or third iterations of smart wearables, and Apple risks losing the first-mover advantage.
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