(Image source from: Techtimes.com)
Apple is reportedly working on a range of wearable head-mounted devices. A market analyst has indicated that there are potentially seven headsets and smart glasses focused on extended reality (XR) being developed across two distinct product categories, with the expected release periods for around five of these already identified. The first of these devices will be the Apple Vision Pro, featuring the M5 chip, which could debut as early as the third quarter of 2025. Additionally, the tech company based in Cupertino is creating a smart glasses product to compete with Ray-Ban’s Meta Glasses. In a recent blog entry, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that Apple intends to introduce an updated version of the Apple Vision Pro equipped with the M5 chipset. Production for this next iteration is projected to commence in Q3 2025, with Apple planning to distribute between 150,000 and 200,000 units within the first year.
Most specifications are expected to remain similar, with the sole exception being the system on chip (SoC), which may upgrade from M2 to M5. Kuo believes that the Vision Pro will continue to be a niche product, focused on XR applications, ecosystem development, and inventory reduction.
The second device within the Apple Vision series is anticipated to be dubbed the Vision Air. According to the analyst, mass production for this headset will kick off in Q3 2027, utilizing a top-tier iPhone processor. This XR headset is said to adopt a new design, weighing up to 40 percent lighter than the Vision Pro, as Apple may switch from glass to plastic, utilize magnesium alloy materials, and lower the sensor count. The Vision Air is expected to be sold at a "significantly" reduced price compared to the current XR headset, which is priced at $3,499 (approximately Rs. 2,99,000). Earlier assessments suggested the Vision Air could cost between $1,500 (about Rs. 125,900) and $2,000 (around Rs. 167,900). In the forthcoming years, Apple aims to expand its wearables range, initiating with smart glasses to rival Ray-Ban’s Meta Glasses. Kuo has stated that these smart glasses will offer various choices for frame and temple materials and are anticipated to feature voice control and gesture recognition for user interaction.
Unlike the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Apple’s smart glasses may not possess display functionality. Instead, their operations could focus on audio playback, video recording, camera functions, and AI-driven environmental awareness. Production of the smart glasses is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027, with an estimated one to five million units expected to be shipped during the initial year. Kuo believes this smart glasses category has the potential to supplant true wireless stereo (TWS) devices and smartphone cameras, showing great promise for near-term growth. Meanwhile, Apple is also exploring another variant of XR glasses, with production potentially starting in the latter half of 2028. Like the competitor to Ray-Ban Meta, these glasses are rumored to include voice control and gesture recognition, along with Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) technology featuring waveguide capabilities and a color display. The integration of AI technology is said to be a key emphasis for these devices.
According to Kuo, a different version of the XR glasses, which will offer reduced visibility and have a later launch date, is currently being developed. Additionally, Apple is working on a Display accessory that could showcase content from devices like the iPhone when connected. This accessory might incorporate Birdbath optics and electrochromic dimming features. Initially, it was meant to enter large-scale production in the second quarter of 2026, but the timeline has been postponed since the fourth quarter of 2024 due to a lack of significant competitive edge. The tech company based in Cupertino is said to be considering changes to its strategy and assessing the necessary specifications.
