Apple Shelves Vision Pro Overhaul to Prioritize AI-Powered Smart Glasses

According to a new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has decided to halt its ambitious plans for a revamped Vision Pro headset in order to shift its focus toward developing AI-driven smart glasses designed to go head-to-head with Meta’s offerings.

The company had been working on a lighter, more affordable version of the Vision Pro, but Apple is now reallocating staff from that project to accelerate work on the new wearable devices.

Bloomberg reports that Apple is currently developing two distinct types of smart glasses. The first, codenamed N50, will connect directly to an iPhone and will not feature a built-in display. Apple reportedly plans to unveil this model as early as next year, with a commercial launch slated for 2027.

The second version, which will include an integrated display, is designed to compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which were unveiled last month. Although Apple had initially targeted a 2028 release for this more advanced model, the company is now accelerating development to bring it to market sooner.

Despite this strategic pivot, Apple still lags behind Meta in the smart glasses race — Meta introduced its first wearable glasses back in 2021, giving it a multi-year head start in the emerging market.