Apple’s long-rumoured smart glasses may finally have a launch window.
The company is currently planning to unveil its first pair of smart glasses at WWDC 2027, with privacy expected to be one of the product’s biggest selling points.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is developing a range of new hardware and software privacy features specifically for the glasses. This positions them as a more privacy-conscious alternative to camera-equipped rivals such as the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.
This is hardly a surprising move, as Meta’s glasses have started recieving large amounts of backlash in the past few months.
The report doesn’t reveal exactly what those privacy tools will look like. However, it suggests Apple is exploring ways to address one of the biggest concerns surrounding smart glasses. That major concern is people being unknowingly recorded.
According to Gurman, Apple has considered several approaches during development. One prototype reportedly included cameras solely for powering AI features, without allowing users to capture photos or videos. The company has also experimented with versions that omit cameras altogether.
Those concepts may not make it to market, however. The report says the most likely version of Apple’s smart glasses will still include cameras. However, they will be paired with the sort of privacy protections the company has become known for across its wider product lineup.
Beyond that, the glasses are expected to follow a similar formula to existing smart eyewear. They will reportedly include speakers and microphones. This will allow users to listen to music, take phone calls and hear Siri notifications without needing headphones.
While Apple has yet to officially acknowledge the project, the reported focus on privacy could help distinguish its wearable from competitors entering the smart glasses market. Camera-equipped glasses have become increasingly common over the past few years. However, they’ve also raised concerns around recording in public spaces and how captured data is handled.
If Gurman’s timeline proves accurate, Apple is aiming to ship the smart glasses later in 2027. This would follow their expected unveiling at WWDC next June.
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