Apple Smart Glasses Delayed to End of 2027; iPhone Integration to Challenge Meta's Market Lead

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first smart glasses by the end of 2027, positioning the device as a direct competitor to Meta's growing lineup of AI-powered smart glasses. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the launch timeline is later than previously expected, as earlier reports had suggested the wearable could debut in late 2026 with shipments beginning in early 2027. The delay is expected to give Meta additional time to strengthen its foothold in the rapidly expanding smart glasses market.

The report states that Apple's upcoming wearable will be designed to integrate seamlessly with the iPhone, a feature expected to be one of its biggest competitive advantages. With hundreds of millions of iPhone users worldwide, Apple is likely to focus on offering a tightly connected ecosystem that allows users to access notifications, AI-powered features and other services more efficiently. Industry analysts believe this integration could make it more challenging for Meta to attract existing Apple customers.

Meta currently leads the consumer smart glasses segment through its partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, the company behind brands such as Ray-Ban, Prada and Oakley. The recently launched Meta Glasses are equipped with the Muse Spark AI model, a 12-megapixel camera with a 100-degree field of view and support for live translation in 20 languages. Priced from USD 299, the glasses are positioned as an affordable entry into AI-powered wearable technology.

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According to the report, Apple has already limited certain interoperability features between iOS and Meta's smart glasses, and this approach is expected to continue once Apple introduces its own competing product. The report also suggests Meta may seek additional partnerships with globally recognised eyewear brands to broaden its appeal, particularly among iPhone users who may otherwise be inclined to choose Apple's ecosystem.

While Apple has not officially confirmed the existence or launch timeline of its smart glasses, reports indicate that the company is investing heavily in wearable computing and augmented intelligence technologies. Analysts expect the device to become an important part of Apple's broader strategy to expand beyond smartphones and create a new generation of connected products centred around artificial intelligence and spatial computing.

The growing competition between Apple and Meta reflects increasing industry interest in AI-powered wearable devices, which are expected to become a major technology category over the coming years. As both companies continue investing in advanced hardware and software, consumers are likely to see greater innovation in smart glasses offering features such as real-time translation, photography, voice assistants and deeper integration with existing digital ecosystems.

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