Apple's Vision and Smart Glasses Roadmap: A Glimpse into the Future of Wearable Tech (2025–2028)

Apple is reportedly making significant strides in the realm of head-mounted devices, with a comprehensive roadmap spanning from 2025 to 2028. The company views these wearables, encompassing both the Vision series and next-generation smart glasses, as the next major wave in consumer electronics. While no new head-mounted devices are expected in 2026, multiple product releases are planned from 2027 onward, signaling a focused push into this transformative category.

Currently, Apple has at least seven projects in active development, including three Vision series products and four smart glasses variants. Five of these products have confirmed timelines, while two remain in the planning stages. A key insight suggests that Ray-Ban-like smart glasses are poised to be the first to achieve significant market volume, with projected shipments of 3–5 million units or more in 2027. This anticipated entry by Apple is expected to propel total market shipments for this category beyond 10 million units in 2027, marking a pivotal emerging trend.

"Apple's strategic entry into the smart glasses market, particularly with the non-display Ray-Ban-like variant, could catalyze explosive growth, transforming the wearable landscape in a way similar to how AirPods redefined wireless audio."

The Vision Series: Evolving XR Headsets

The Vision series represents Apple's immersive Extended Reality (XR) headset line, building upon the foundational technologies.

1. Vision Pro M5 Version

• Mass Production: Scheduled for 3Q25.
• Projected Shipments: 150,000–200,000 units in 2025.
• Key Upgrade: Processor upgraded from M2 to M5; other specifications remain largely unchanged.
• Purpose: This iteration will continue as a niche product, aimed at maintaining market presence, maturing the ecosystem, reducing component inventory, and further exploring practical XR headset applications.

2. Vision Air

• Mass Production: Scheduled for 3Q27.
• Key Features: Features an entirely new, significantly lighter form factor (over 40% weight reduction compared to Vision Pro). It will be powered by Apple's latest flagship iPhone processor.
• Weight Reduction: Achieved through replacing glass with plastic, extensive use of magnesium alloy (titanium alloy was deemed too expensive), and a reduced sensor count.
• Price Point: Expected to have a significantly lower price than the Vision Pro, making it more accessible.

3. All-New Design Vision Pro 2nd Generation

• Mass Production: Projected for 2H28.
• Key Features: Will boast an entirely new design, be even more significantly lighter, and carry a lower price point than its predecessor. It will be equipped with a Mac-grade processor, indicating a strong focus on high performance.

Smart Glasses: The Next Frontier for Mass Adoption

Beyond the immersive XR headsets, Apple is heavily investing in smart glasses, a category expected to achieve much higher volume due to their more conventional form factor.

1. Ray-Ban-like Smart Glasses

• Mass Production: Scheduled for 2Q27.
• Projected Shipments: Forecasted at 3–5 million units or more in 2027, positioning this as the highest near-term growth potential segment. Global shipments across all brands are expected to exceed 10 million units in 2027.
• Design: Will offer multiple frame and temple material options, resembling traditional eyeglasses.
• User Interface: Primarily controlled via voice control and gesture recognition.
• Core Features (No Display): Notably, these glasses will not feature a display. Their core functionalities include audio playback, an integrated camera, video recording, and AI environmental sensing. Such devices could potentially replace some functions currently performed by True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones and even smartphone cameras.

2. XR Glasses

• Mass Production: Scheduled for 2H28.
• User Interface: Similar to the Ray-Ban-like variant, it will use voice control and gesture recognition.
• Display Technology: Unlike the Ray-Ban-like model, these will incorporate a display using LCoS with waveguide technology, supporting color display.
• Functionality: AI functionality is deemed critical to the success of these display-enabled smart glasses. An additional variant is reportedly in development, though with a later production timeline and lower visibility.

3. Display Accessory (Project Paused)

• Original Mass Production: Scheduled for 2Q26, but has been paused since 4Q24.
• Current Status: Currently under review for repositioning and specification refinement, with a possible project restart.
• Original Concept: Designed for tethered connection to display content from Apple devices (e.g., iPhone).
• Display Technology: Utilized Birdbath optics with electrochromic dimming as a key selling point.
• Reason for Halt: Development was halted primarily due to insufficient competitive advantage, particularly regarding its weight (120–130g) compared to competing products aiming for sub-100g.

Apple's Strategic Advantages and Challenges

Apple's competitive strengths in the Vision series and smart glasses market are rooted in its robust hardware development capabilities and deep ecosystem integration. The ability to tightly control both hardware and software, leveraging its existing vast user base and services, provides a significant advantage. However, the primary challenge remains the development of a sophisticated, AI-powered operating system and software capable of delivering truly seamless and intuitive experiences for these new form factors.

Before Apple officially launches its display-enabled smart glasses, several other brands are expected to release similar products to establish an early market presence. However, given the continuous technological and design improvements still needed in this nascent category, these early products are likely to remain niche offerings over the next couple of years. Apple's patient, multi-phased approach suggests a long-term vision to perfect the technology before a mass-market push.