Apple AI smart glasses may run VisionOS, snap photos, monitor health, and play music

Apple is quietly sketching the next chapter of its wearable story, and this time, it’s not a watch or a headset, but a pair of AI-powered glasses. Bloomberg reports that these upcoming Apple smart glasses could debut as early as 2026, running on visionOS, the same system that powers the Vision Pro. But unlike Meta’s Ray-Bans or other AR experiments, Apple seems to be starting with something subtler.

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The first-gen version may skip in-lens displays entirely. Instead, you can expect built-in speakers, cameras, and health-tracking sensors integrated into the frame. Think of them as AirPods for your eyes. Lightweight, assistive, and deeply connected to your digital life.

You’ll also be able to capture photos, record videos, play music, and interact with Siri-like AI assistants, all without reaching for your phone.

This “screenless” approach could make Apple’s glasses more approachable than its $3,499 (around Rs 3,10,000) Vision Pro headset, which, while technically impressive, hasn’t exactly gone mainstream. Apple’s new direction feels more practical.

A smarter lens into the Apple ecosystem

The glasses reportedly adapt to whatever device they’re paired with. Connect them to a MacBook, and they’ll unlock the full version of visionOS. Pair them with an iPhone, and you’ll get a lighter, mobile-optimised interface.

This flexible integration could make the glasses an extension of Apple’s growing AI ecosystem; less about replacing screens, more about weaving intelligence into what you already wear.

It’s a timely move. Meta’s latest Ray-Ban smart glasses already come with live-streaming and in-lens displays, while Samsung and Google are rumoured to be developing their own takes on AI eyewear. Yet, Apple’s track record in turning niche ideas into cultural mainstays means all eyes (quite literally) will be on Cupertino once these glasses hit the market.