Apple’s New upcoming Glasses
Apple is preparing for a significant entry into the smart eyewear market, likely to compete against the popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Apple hopes to have its new smart glasses released by the end of 2026 and they are certainly creating a lot of excitement for good reason. Here is what we know so far, and how they compare against the current front-runner in smart eyewear, Ray-Ban Meta.
Apple’s Smart Glasses: What to Expect
Apple’s smart specs are being developed as a top-tier AI product to compete or take the place of Meta’s Ray-Bans. Production is ramping up with mass production of prototypes planned later this year. The smart specs will have cameras, microphones, and speakers that will allow the user to engage with their environment through voice commands with Siri.
Key features expected include:
- Making phone calls and playing music
- Real-time language translation
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Environmental scanning for contextual information
Also, Apple is rumored to be developing a custom silicon processor that will run the glasses for seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. The glasses design has been said to resemble Meta Ray-Ban glasses, but Apple is targeting a more premium build quality and a premium experience.
Read more : “Apple Skips iOS 19: Announces iOS 26 with Major Redesign at WWDC 2025”
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: The Current Benchmark
Ray-Ban Meta glasses, released in 2023, have established the standard for smart eyewear with their classic features and design approach. You have open-ear speakers, you have a camera built in, and also have Meta AI so you can take pictures, record what you see, send a message, get a real-time translation, and everything is hands free.
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Recent updates have expanded their capabilities:
- “Detailed Responses” AI feature, which uses the camera and Meta AI to describe surroundings in rich detail
- Broader accessibility features, including the ability to connect with volunteers for assistance
- Integration with popular music apps and messaging platforms
- Continued rollout of new styles and global availability
How Do They Compare?
| Feature | Apple Glasses (Expected) | Ray-Ban Meta Glasses |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Late 2026 (planned) | Available since 2023 |
| Voice Assistant | Siri (Apple) | Meta AI |
| Camera & Audio | Cameras, microphones, speakers | 12MP camera, open-ear speakers |
| AI Features | Real-time translation, navigation, contextual analysis | Detailed Responses, live translation, accessibility support |
| Ecosystem Integration | Deep Apple ecosystem integration | Meta/Facebook, Instagram, music apps |
| Design | Premium, Apple build quality | Classic Ray-Ban styles |
| Price | Expected premium | ~$299 (varies by region) |
The Bottom Line
Apple’s smart glasses are likely to become a formidable competitor to Ray-Ban Meta glasses with their AI capabilities, a custom chip from Apple, and Apple’s take on design. Ray-Ban Meta is still the king of features and fashion, but since Apple is entering the market, will this change the expectations consumers have in general—especially among Apple users?
As the 2026 launch approaches, the battle for the smartest—and most stylish—glasses is just getting started.