Apple is testing four designs for its Smart Glasses Apfelpatient.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing at least four different designs for its upcoming smart glasses. Apple is focusing on high-quality materials and wants to differentiate itself from the competition with a distinctive design.

Apple's smart glasses project is taking more concrete shape. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman reports that Apple is actively working on at least four different frame designs and plans to release several of them in various colors. This strategy is reminiscent of the Apple Watch launch in 2015, when Apple offered a wide selection of cases and bands from the outset.

Apple isn't focusing on augmented reality with its smart glasses – that remains exclusive to the Vision Pro line. Instead, they are classic-looking glasses with integrated cameras, microphones, and sensors. They can display notifications from the iPhone, take photos and videos, play music, and use AI features like Siri and Visual Intelligence – a kind of combination of Apple Watch and AirPods in glasses form.

The four Design variants

Gurman mentions four frame shapes that Apple is currently evaluating. The first is a large rectangular design reminiscent of the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer. The second is a slimmer rectangular shape, similar to the glasses Tim Cook himself wears. In addition, there are two oval or round options – one larger and one smaller, more refined.

Apple is testing colors including black, ocean blue, and a light brown. As with AirPods and Apple Watch, the stated goal is to create an instantly recognizable design.

Premium Materials instead of Plastic

One striking difference from the competition: Apple plans to use acetate as the main material for the eyeglass frames – a material that is standard in high-end eyewear manufacturing and is characterized by its durability and premium appearance. Cheaper smart glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta, on the other hand, rely on ordinary plastic.

The front cameras are arranged in an oval pattern and surrounded by indicator LEDs that signal when recording is in progress. This also distinguishes Apple's approach from the competition and addresses the privacy concerns that regularly arise with hidden cameras in glasses.

Apple Glasses: Timeline and classification

According to Gurman, the smart glasses are expected to be announced either at the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027, with an actual sales launch in spring or summer 2027. The glasses will function as an iPhone accessory and will require a connection to the iPhone for most functions – even more so than the Apple Watch does today.

The smart glasses are part of a broader strategy by which Apple plans to launch several AI-centric devices in the coming years. This includes AirPods with integrated cameras, a smart home display, and a wearable pendant with camera functionality. Apple is also continuing to work on true AR glasses with integrated displays – however, the timeframe for these is considerably further off. (Image: Shutterstock / JLStock)