Apple Delays AI Smart Glasses and Vision Headset Plans Again

Apple’s long‑anticipated AI smart glasses, internally dubbed “N50,” have slipped once more. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the company’s original plan to unveil the device in late 2026 and ship it in early 2027 has been pushed back, with a new launch window now set for the end of 2027.

The setback follows a series of hurdles that have kept Apple from cementing its presence in the eyewear arena. The firm originally aimed to debut the N50 at the close of 2026, only to defer the launch to the end of next year, according to insider sources.

Designed as Apple’s inaugural foray into AI‑powered wearables, the glasses are poised to compete directly with Meta’s Ray‑Ban line. They will be tightly integrated with Apple Intelligence, serving as a dedicated platform for Siri and advanced visual AI functions.

Sources say the primary reason for the delay is Apple’s reluctance to release hardware that depends on visual AI systems it deems immature. While Siri enhancements are still slated for a rollout before year‑end, the company remains cautious about launching a product that hinges on under‑developed visual intelligence.

Apple’s early prototypes are set to showcase a host of eye‑catching design elements, from sleek oval camera housings to a variety of frame silhouettes and a palette that feels more runway than technology. The company is positioning the device not merely as a smart assistant but as a future health‑monitoring companion, ultimately paving the way toward fully immersive augmented‑reality eyewear.

While the debut of the glasses has already slipped, rumors persist about a slimmer, budget‑friendly variant dubbed “Vision Air” that would follow the Vision Pro released in June 2023. However, industry chatter now pushes its arrival to somewhere between late 2028 and 2029, extending the wait for a more accessible entry point.