According to Economic Daily News, citing Bloomberg, sources state that Apple has paused its planned revision of the Vision Pro headset and is redirecting resources to a more urgent priority: developing smart glasses to compete with Meta’s offerings.

As noted by Bloomberg, citing sources, Apple has reassigned employees from its headset project to accelerate development of smart glasses. That headset, reportedly targeted for a 2027 launch, has been put on hold as the company shifts focus to the smart glasses initiative.

Bloomberg highlights that Apple is reportedly developing at least two types of smart glasses. The first, code-named N50, is said to pair with an iPhone and lacks its own display, with an unveiling expected as early as next year and a release targeted for 2027. The company is also reportedly working on a second version with a built-in display—positioned as a potential rival to the newly launched Meta Ray-Ban Display. Originally planned for 2028, this model is now being fast-tracked.

Bloomberg indicates that Apple’s glasses are expected to rely heavily on voice interaction and AI, areas where the company has not always been strong. The report also mentions that Apple’s smart glasses may come in multiple styles and be powered by a new chip, and it may include built-in speakers for music, cameras for media capture, and voice controls linked to a connected iPhone.

Although Apple has reportedly shifted its focus to smart glasses, Bloomberg notes that the company still plans a modest Vision Pro update with a faster chip, which could arrive as early as the end of this year. Still, according to TechNews, citing The Information, Apple has significantly reduced Vision Pro output and instructed assembler Luxshare to halt production since November last year, reflecting the device’s weak market performance.

Apple, Meta, and the Global Push Toward Smart Glasses
Meanwhile, Meta has been moving quickly in the smart glasses space. As Reuters notes, in September CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the company’s first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display and a new wristband controller. The company also unveiled Oakley-branded Vanguard glasses, designed specifically for athletes.

As noted by Economic Daily News, Meta has long invested in smart glasses and now offers dozens of related products, giving it a commanding 70% share of the global market. Brands such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Alibaba, Google, and Samsung are close behind, eager to capture a share of the market in the future.

According to TrendForce, AI-driven features are fueling growth in information-display AR applications. Global shipments of AR devices are forecast to rise 9.1% year over year in 2025 to 600,000 units. Active investment from major players such as Meta and Google is further accelerating supply chain development.

(Photo credit: Apple)