Apple Prepares New Headset And Glasses to Rival Meta's Hardware
Apple is actively developing a lightweight headset modeled after Meta's recently unveiled VR hardware alongside a targeted late 2027 launch window for its long-rumored smart glasses. According to industry reports from Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, Apple's internal hardware divisions are reworking their head-mounted display roadmap following the commercial reception of the Apple Vision Pro.
The strategic shift comes as Meta expands its wearable computing portfolio with lightweight VR devices and AI-powered frames. While Apple's existing spatial computing footprint remains anchored to the Vision Pro and Siri-enabled AirPods, internal product groups are evaluating alternative form factors to address user comfort and hardware weight.
Apple Vision Successor and Internal Design Challenges
Apple's headset engineering team is exploring a completely revamped device under the internal codename N224. Engineers have mapped out four distinct concepts for the next-generation hardware, including architectural configurations that offload internal processing and heavy components to an external accessory similar to a computing puck.
However, this approach has encountered internal resistance among senior leadership. Having navigated user feedback regarding the tethered battery pack on the original Apple Vision Pro, key staff members consider external tethers a suboptimal user experience. The primary engineering mandate is achieving an all-in-one design that successfully reduces both weight and retail cost, though development remains on tentative footing with commercial rollout estimates pointing toward late 2028 or 2029.
Smart Glasses Roadmap and Competitive Pressures
Parallel to its headset development, Apple maintains a targeted timeframe to introduce non-AR smart glasses by the end of 2027. Industry analysts and supply chain watchers have repeatedly pointed to this late 2027 delivery window, aligning with previous forecasts issued by Ming-Chi Kuo and ongoing reporting from supply networks.
Current industry speculation indicates that Apple's initial eyewear entry will mirror the minimalist approach popularized by Meta's Ray-Ban partnerships. The first generation is expected to integrate audio playback, camera sensors, and smart assistant capabilities while omitting an integrated visual display screen. A subsequent hardware iteration would incorporate visual display layers, matching the progression seen across competing consumer technology ecosystems.