Apple smart glasses in testing: 4 prototypes, Siri-led AI, 2027 launch

Apple is testing four physical designs for its Apple smart glasses, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The prototypes are in a “crucial” evaluation phase as Apple targets a possible end-2026 unveiling and a likely 2027 consumer launch. The reported frame options cover a range of familiar eyewear styles: large rectangular, slimmer rectangular, larger oval/circular, and smaller oval/circular. Apple is also considering multiple colors, including black, ocean blue, and light brown. The company may launch more than one design to match different tastes. Strategically, this Apple smart glasses effort looks more pragmatic than Apple’s earlier, broader mixed/AR ambitions tied to Vision Pro. The device is described as closer in concept to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses: lightweight, all-day wear, and without a full immersive display. Functionally, the glasses are expected to rely on upgraded Siri for key tasks: voice-controlled calls, music, and taking photos/videos via camera lenses, plus AI-driven, context-aware assistance. The report links performance to Apple’s ongoing AI improvements planned for WWDC 2025 and beyond. Industry watch-outs include battery life, comfort, and especially privacy risks from always-available wearable cameras. Apple’s privacy positioning could become a competitive differentiator. For crypto traders, the headline is mainly tech/consumer hardware news rather than directly market-moving, but it can influence sentiment around AI-device narratives and major-cap tech cycles.