Competition Heats Up in the Smart Glasses Market: Apple Prepares to Challenger Meta's Ray-Ban AI Glasses
Apple persists in their pursuit of smart glasses technology despite previous reports suggesting otherwise.
The cutthroat race to conquer the smart glasses market is intensifying, with Meta still leading the charge and Apple attempting to rejoin the fray after reports of progress in developing an advanced chip for augmented reality-enabled smart glasses.
Meta has continued to dominate the market with its Ray-Ban AI smart glasses, offering functionalities such as picture and video capture, AI interaction, and 32GB storage [2][3][4]. As for Apple, the tech giant has struggled to gain ground in the virtual reality sector with the Vision Pro, falling short of Meta's success [1]. However, it appears that Apple is unwilling to abandon its efforts in the realm of wearable technology.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has made "progress" on a specialty chip tailored for smart glasses, featuring versions with and without augmented reality capabilities [5]. In a surprising development, this revelation comes following rumors earlier this year suggesting that Apple had put the brakes on development of an AR-enabled pair of glasses [1].
The new chip, reminiscent of Apple Watch processors, is said to be less power- and resource-intensive, making it potentially suitable for managing multiple cameras on the smart glasses, much like the ones equipped on Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. If these plans come to fruition, Apple's glasses will not only capture images but could also serve as a visual input source for AI [5].
Reports suggest that production of the new smart glasses chip could start as early as next year, potentially leading to the debut of Apple's first pair of glasses by 2028 [5]. While it may be tempting to view this as a relatively short wait, by the time Apple's offering hits the market, their competition could already be several steps ahead.
Meta has made it evident over the past few months that smart glasses and augmented reality glasses are priorities for the company. Last year, Meta showcased a particularly impressive prototype of its Orion glasses, while indications point to the launch of a new generation of its popular Ray-Ban AI smart glasses later this year [1]. If this comes to pass, Meta will be well on its way to establishing a strong foothold in the market by the time Apple enters the game in 2028.
Despite Meta's apparent head start, there is one area where Apple might have an edge – privacy. Last month, Meta rolled out a new privacy policy for its Meta Ray-Ban glasses, subsequently requiring users to allow Meta to collect their data if they wish to use AI with the glasses [5]. If Apple can successfully navigate the strategic use of user data, it may be able to garner support among individuals concerned about Meta's practices or sway undecided consumers.
Ultimately, the success of Apple's smart glasses will hinge on the company's ability to craft a unique, compelling offering that balances features, user experience, and data privacy concerns without sacrificing quality.
References:
- Gurman, M. (2025, May). Apple's smart glasses chip plans advance, may enter production next year. Bloomberg Technology.
- Amazon. (2025). Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BTXTXXD
- Meta. (2024). Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses review. Retrieved from https://www.oculus.com/experiences/store/product/2618574793738744
- Wisse, C. (2025, April). The best smart glasses you can buy just got a lot creepier. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/4/11/22196410/meta-ray-ban-glasses-gen-3-camera-privacy-policy-update-google-glasses-future
- Gurman, M. (2025, February). Apple eyes 2026 return to AR market with augmented reality headset, glasses. Bloomberg Technology.
- With advancements in chip technology, Apple is preparing to re-enter the competitive augmented reality-enabled smart glasses market, following reports of progress in developing a specialized smart glasses chip, featuring both AR and non-AR versions.
- The new chip, resembling Apple Watch processors, is said to be designed for managing multiple cameras on smart glasses, similar to those found on Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses.
- If Apple's plans come to fruition and production starts as early as next year, the company's smart glasses could debut by 2028, although competition may already be several steps ahead.
- While Meta dominates the market with its Ray-Ban AI smart glasses offering functionalities such as picture and video capture, AI interaction, and 32GB storage, Apple's focus on data privacy might provide an edge if they can successfully navigate the strategic use of user data.
- As the smart-home-device and gadget market continues to expand with technology advancements, Apple's entry into the smart glasses market also signifies an extension of their interest in wearable technology and AI interaction.
