Apple (AAPL) Is Building Smart Glasses to Beat Meta — Here’s What They Look Like

TLDR

• Apple is testing at least four frame styles for its upcoming AI smart glasses, internally codenamed N50.
• Designs include rectangular, oval, and circular options in finishes like black, ocean blue, and light brown.
• Apple is exploring a unique vertically oriented oval camera lens with surrounding lights.
• The glasses will use acetate for a more premium build and integrate with iPhone and Siri.
• An announcement is targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, with shipments expected by end of 2027.

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Apple is developing its first AI smart glasses and is currently testing at least four distinct frame designs, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The designs include a large rectangular frame similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a slimmer rectangular style, and two oval or circular options — one larger, one smaller. The slimmer rectangular design is said to resemble the glasses worn by CEO Tim Cook.

Apple plans to offer multiple color finishes, including black, ocean blue, and light brown. The main frame body is being built from acetate, a more durable and premium material than the standard plastic used by most competitors.

The glasses are codenamed N50 internally.

A Camera System Built to Stand Out

One of the more distinct design choices Apple is exploring is a camera setup using vertically oriented oval lenses with surrounding lights. This differs from the circular camera design used in Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

The cameras will support photo and video capture. The glasses will also include microphones and speakers for calls, music, and notifications.

A multimodal AI model will power the glasses, with Siri integration and visual intelligence features. The product will not support augmented reality — Apple is working on a separate AR glasses product with integrated displays, though that launch is further out.

Taking Aim at Meta

Meta currently leads the smart glasses market. The segment grew 139% year-over-year in the second half of 2025, with Meta’s lineup driving most of that growth, according to Counterpoint Research.

Apple’s goal appears to be creating an instantly recognizable product that stands apart from what’s already on the market.

Gurman noted that if executed well — particularly with a functional Siri — the glasses could follow a path similar to the Apple Watch: not first to market, but eventually dominant.

Apple is not alone in eyeing new AI-focused hardware. The company is also expected to launch a foldable iPhone in September 2026, along with AirPods with cameras, a smart home display, and a wearable pendant.

Apple plans to announce the smart glasses by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with shipments beginning by end of 2027.

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