Apple Eyes 2026 Launch for AI Smart Glasses, Cancels Camera Watch Plans

In Brief:

Apple targets late 2026 to release smart glasses with AI features powered by Siri.

The company has scrapped development of a camera-equipped Apple Watch but is still working on camera AirPods.

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Apple is pushing deeper into the AI wearables space with plans to launch its first AI-powered smart glasses by the end of 2026, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The device will include a camera, microphone, and speakers, allowing users to interact with Siri for real-time translation, music, phone calls, and navigation.

The move puts Apple in direct competition with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have gained traction as stylish AI-assisted eyewear. Apple's upcoming glasses are expected to offer environment analysis capabilities, marking a new phase in its wearable strategy.

The project is being led by Apple’s Vision Products Group, the same division behind the Vision Pro headset. Bloomberg notes that development of a lighter Vision headset and a Mac-connected version is also underway.

At the same time, Apple has abandoned its plan to add cameras to future Apple Watch and Watch Ultra models, which were previously targeted for 2027. Sources say concerns over practicality and design limitations influenced the decision. However, the company continues to explore camera-equipped AirPods as another AI-centric wearable product.

Looking beyond wearables, Apple is also reportedly planning to release its first foldable phone by the end of 2026. The tech giant aims to support a broader AI ecosystem by opening its large language model API to developers, allowing deeper AI integration into App Store applications.

Although Apple’s long-term goal is to launch AR display-equipped glasses, sources suggest such fully immersive devices are still years away due to hardware constraints.

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