Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses were long treated as an intriguing experiment rather than a mainstream product. That shifted quickly: last year EssilorLuxottica sold more than seven million pairs, a total that far outstripped sales from the prior two years combined. The category now has clear commercial momentum, and Apple appears to be moving deliberately in response. According to reporting by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple’s smart glasses project—internally known as N50—has progressed further than many observers expected.
Gurman’s reporting indicates Apple is actively testing at least four distinct frame designs. The prototypes include a large rectangular option reminiscent of classic Wayfarer shapes, a slimmer rectangular style similar to the glasses Apple’s CEO has been seen wearing, and two oval or circular variants in different proportions. Rather than partnering with an external eyewear brand, Apple has chosen to develop the frames itself. The company is reportedly using acetate for the frames, a material commonly regarded as more durable and higher-end than basic injection-molded plastics. Initial colorways under evaluation include black, ocean blue, and light brown, and Apple’s plan appears to be to launch multiple styles and finishes simultaneously—an approach similar to how the Apple Watch was introduced with a wide variety of case and band combinations.
More Than Just a Pretty Frame
These Apple glasses are not being positioned as augmented reality headsets with embedded displays. Instead, they resemble the current wave of “smart frames” like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses: compact wearable devices that incorporate cameras, microphones, speakers, and direct access to AI-driven features. Reported capabilities include taking photos and recording video, making and receiving phone calls, delivering notifications, and enabling hands-free Siri interactions. The camera array on the front is said to be arranged in a vertical oval, with indicator lighting around the lenses.
One notable design detail is Apple’s reportedly more prominent indicator lights. The lights are intended to make recording more visible to people around the wearer, a design choice that could be framed as a privacy-minded feature—making it harder to capture photos or video without others noticing—or simply as a distinctive aesthetic decision. Either way, the lights would visually distinguish Apple’s glasses from many competitors on the market.
The glasses are being developed to work closely with the iPhone and to leverage an updated Siri experience expected alongside future iOS releases. Apple has reportedly redirected engineering resources from other initiatives to accelerate this project, signaling that wearable eyewear is a strategic focus. Gurman’s timeline places a public unveiling in late 2026 or early 2027, with wider availability sometime in 2027. That schedule would give Apple time to refine hardware and software integration, but it also leaves room for competitors who have already brought similar devices to market to further entrench themselves.
While these devices won’t offer AR overlays or a heads-up display, their value proposition centers on convenience and on-device intelligence. Users would gain a hands-free way to capture moments, manage communications, and access voice-driven assistance without pulling out a phone. For many buyers, that combination of discreet cameras, audio, and smart assistant features will be the main appeal rather than immersive AR experiences.
Apple’s choice to produce frames in-house, test multiple shapes and finishes, and emphasize premium materials suggests the company is aiming for a polished mainstream product rather than a narrow technical demo. How consumers respond will depend on a few key factors: the quality of on-device AI and Siri interactions, battery life and comfort, the clarity and utility of camera and audio performance, and whether people feel comfortable with the privacy trade-offs smart glasses introduce.
With Ray-Ban-style smart frames already demonstrating commercial potential, Apple’s entry could broaden the category further by combining familiar eyewear styling with tight integration into its ecosystem. The coming year or two will reveal whether Apple’s emphasis on multiple styles, premium materials, and visible recording indicators will resonate with buyers and set a new standard for smart eyewear.