Apple testing four distinct designs for upcoming smart glasses launch

At a glance:

• Apple is reportedly testing four different frame styles for its first smart glasses, targeting a 2027 release.
• The devices will lack integrated displays, focusing instead on cameras, audio, and a revamped Siri experience.
• Potential aesthetic options include rectangular and oval frames in black, ocean blue, and light brown colors.

A shift in wearable strategy

Apple is currently refining the hardware for its first foray into smart glasses, with a projected market launch in 2027. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company may unveil the devices as early as the end of this year. This move signals a strategic pivot in how Apple approaches the face-worn computing market, moving away from the heavy, immersive hardware seen in previous iterations.

This trajectory suggests a tactical retreat from an earlier, more ambitious roadmap that envisioned a wide array of mixed and augmented reality (MR/AR) devices. That original vision faced significant headwinds, characterized by repeated product delays and a lukewarm market reception to the Vision Pro. By opting for a more traditional glasses form factor, Apple appears to be prioritizing mass-market adoption over high-end spatial computing.

Design variations and aesthetic options

To ensure the product appeals to a broad demographic, Apple is reportedly testing four distinct frame designs. This variety suggests the company is undecided on a single "hero" look and may potentially launch multiple SKUs to cater to different face shapes and style preferences. The designs currently under evaluation include:

• A large rectangular frame
• A slimmer rectangular frame (noted to be similar to the glasses worn by CEO Tim Cook)
• A larger oval or circular frame
• A smaller oval or circular frame

Beyond the geometry of the frames, Apple is experimenting with a curated color palette to move the device beyond a purely utilitarian tool. The reported color options include black, ocean blue, and light brown, indicating a desire to blend the technology seamlessly into existing fashion trends.

Functionality and the Siri integration

Unlike the Vision Pro, these smart glasses will not feature internal displays. Instead, they are positioned as a direct competitor to the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, focusing on ambient computing and sensory input. The hardware will be equipped with oval camera lenses, allowing users to capture photos and videos from a first-person perspective without the bulk of a headset.

Audio and voice interaction will serve as the primary interface for the device. Users will be able to answer phone calls and play music directly through the frames. Most critically, the glasses are expected to be a primary vehicle for the long-promised Siri upgrade, leveraging generative AI to provide a more intuitive and capable virtual assistant that can interact with the user's environment in real-time.