Apple's Smart Glasses Still in Early Development, as Meta Races Ahead

Apple's long-rumored smart glasses, code-named N50, remain in the early stages of development and aren't expected to hit the market anytime soon. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is moving cautiously with the project, despite increasing industry competition and interest in wearable tech.

Not Quite Augmented Reality

The N50 glasses won’t offer full-fledged augmented reality experiences, at least not in their first iteration. Instead, they're designed to leverage Apple Intelligence to analyze the wearer's environment and deliver useful information. Think of it more like enhanced awareness than a full-blown AR display. While Apple has a strong track record of fitting powerful tech into compact devices—like the Apple Watch and AirPods—turning that success into a viable smart glasses product is proving more complex.

Camera-Equipped AirPods in the Works

Apple is also quietly working on another wearable that could complement the glasses: a new version of AirPods equipped with cameras. These would also use Apple Intelligence to understand the surroundings, offering a similar benefit without needing to wear glasses. However, this product is similarly not close to being ready. Gurman points out that not everyone is comfortable wearing AirPods all day, which is part of the reason Apple appears to be pursuing both product lines in parallel.

Meanwhile, Meta Pushes Ahead

While Apple is taking its time, Meta is aggressively moving forward. The company plans to launch a new high-end version of its smart glasses by October 2025. These will include a small built-in display for basic apps and photo viewing—more functionality than Meta’s current models. The glasses are expected to cost over $1,000 and are aimed at users who want more from their wearable devices.

Meta's leadership has reportedly urged its teams to speed up development, with some employees even working weekends to stay on track. While there's still a possibility of a delay, Meta’s pace signals its determination to gain an early advantage in the smart glasses space.

Apple’s Careful Approach

Apple’s slow and methodical progress isn’t unusual for the company. Instead of rushing to market, Apple tends to wait until it’s confident a product is ready to deliver the kind of seamless, polished experience it’s known for. While Meta may beat Apple to launch with a more feature-rich product, Apple’s N50 glasses and future camera-equipped AirPods could still find their place—if and when they finally arrive.

For now, Apple fans and tech enthusiasts will have to wait as the company quietly continues its work behind the scenes.