- Apple is testing four distinct smart-glass frame styles and a vertical oval camera design.
- The company could unveil a prototype by late 2026, with a public release in 2027.
- This shift from Vision Pro-style headsets to phone-dependent glasses puts Apple behind Meta and Samsung.
Apple’s AR strategy is pivoting from the $3,500 Vision Pro headset to lightweight smart glasses that look like premium eyewear. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is testing four frame styles with cameras but no built-in displays, relying on the iPhone for AR features instead.
The timing matters. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are already on the market at $499, and Samsung just leaked its Galaxy Glasses code-named “Jinju” with a similar camera-first design priced between $379 and $499. Apple’s late-2026 prototype reveal would give developers a shorter runway than Vision Pro’s lengthy lead time.
“The glasses, which could be announced at Google I/O next month, are code-named ‘Jinju’ and will reportedly cost between $379 and $499,” wrote Stevie Bonifield at The Verge, noting Samsung’s glasses include a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 processor and a 12-megapixel camera but no display.
Why Apple’s Camera-First Design Changes the AR Race
Apple’s decision to skip built-in displays is a concession that full spatial computing isn’t ready for mainstream adoption. The Vision Pro’s tepid demand pushed the company toward lighter hardware that prioritizes social acceptability over technical ambition. A phone-tethered approach mirrors the incremental wins Meta and Snap have seen since 2023 with camera-forward glasses.
Samsung is taking a two-pronged approach. The “Jinju” glasses launching later this year lack displays, but a premium “Haean” pair with micro-LED screens is planned for 2027 at $600 to $900. That puts Samsung’s display glasses on the same timeline as Apple’s rumored 2027 launch, potentially beating Apple to market with a full AR experience.
The competitive pressure is real. Meta launched two Ray-Ban prescription smart glasses in March 2026, and Google partnered with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on Android XR glasses. Apple’s four-frame strategy suggests it’s betting on fashion variety to differentiate, but the technical gap to rivals is narrowing.
Bloomberg’s reporting landed on April 12, 2026, alongside TechCrunch coverage, giving the leaks credibility. Apple’s Arizona plant, which churns out 18A chips, could supply the processors for these glasses if the company decides to build its own silicon rather than rely on Qualcomm’s AR1.
Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses leak revealed specs that match Apple’s rumored approach: a 155mAh battery, bone conduction speakers, and a camera-first design. The question is whether Apple’s fashion-forward frames and iPhone integration can justify a premium price when competitors are already shipping similar hardware at under $500.
Apple’s Vision Pro launched in February 2024.