Apple plans iPhone-tethered smart glasses for 2027, Bloomberg reports

Apple plans to unveil its first iPhone-tethered smart glasses, without an augmented reality display, at its June 2027 developer conference, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported Sunday.

Apple aims to begin shipments before the end of 2027. But delayed software makes the shipping goal and the Worldwide Developers Conference unveiling uncertain, Gurman wrote on X. Both targets remained in place Sunday, he wrote, while much of the hardware is largely finalized.

In his Power On newsletter, Gurman identified Siri AI integrations with apps as the glasses' main feature. "The idea: Book an Uber, reserve a table or order a coffee from your Apple Glasses — with apps running on paired iPhone," he wrote.

NEW Power On: Apple’s next big product — smart glasses planned next year — will offer Siri AI app integrations as its flagship feature. The idea: Book an Uber, reserve a table or order a coffee from your Apple Glasses — with apps running on paired iPhone.

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) November 15, 2026

Apple sees access to its existing app ecosystem as a major advantage over rival smart glasses, MacRumors reported, citing Gurman. Developers would not have to create separate glasses apps, and the paired iPhone would make up for limited processing power and memory on the glasses.

Current plans require a recent iPhone model and exclude Android support.

Apple prepares developers

With this month's release of the first iOS 27.3 beta, Apple began introducing the Siri controls needed to operate apps through the glasses.

Apple released its App Intents preview partly to encourage developers to get their iPhone apps ready with those integrations now, Gurman wrote. Apple plans to introduce support for its own apps in December, with third-party apps to follow in 2027.

Siri is also intended to use the glasses' cameras to respond to questions about what is around the wearer. Planned uses range from identifying buildings and suggesting meals based on refrigerator ingredients to providing directions and translating signs and conversations. Apple also intends the glasses to handle calls, messages, iPhone notifications, calendar entries and reminders, as well as music and smart home controls.

The cameras will serve as sensors for AI and accessibility rather than take photos, AppleInsider reported.

Apple is developing the glasses in multiple styles and colors, with attention to materials, sensors and audio quality. Employees call them "AirPods for your face" and describe their sound quality as industry-leading.

Wi-Fi would allow some functions outside third-party apps to continue when the iPhone is not close by. A wearer could theoretically move away from the phone and continue listening over Wi-Fi, although the glasses will not function as a fully independent device, The Verge reported, citing Gurman.

Inside Apple’s smart glasses prototypes: a pared-down visionOS 28, Wi-Fi, flush camera openings and a magnetic charger near the tip of the left arm. Employees call them “AirPods for your face.” More in Power On:

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) November 15, 2026

Thinner than Meta's Ray-Bans

The prototypes, code-named N50, are slightly thinner than Meta's second-generation Ray-Bans. Some test units have oval camera openings that sit flush with the frame, and a front light indicates use or charging. Apple is testing additional privacy features, too.

The prototypes use a stripped-down visionOS 28 and a processor based on older Apple Watch chips.

Testers can wear the glasses as they charge through a flat, three-pin magnetic connector "roughly the size of a Tic Tac" near the end of the left temple arm. Gurman said it remains unclear whether the shipping product will use that system.

Apple began working on the glasses in the early 2020s. The company seeks to connect a new wave of hardware through Siri AI, including the glasses, camera-equipped AirPods and HomeView devices, much as iCloud would connect its ecosystem in the early 2010s.

The camera AirPods, which would also give Siri information about a user's surroundings, remain on track for late 2027. The glasses should offer longer battery life and space for more sensors than those AirPods, Gurman reported, and Apple sees potential for all-day wear.