Apple prepares 7 wearable devices: from Vision Air to smart Ray-Bans - timing, chips, scale
Ming-Chi Kuo has released Apple's roadmap for its Vision lineup and smart glasses for 2025-2028. The plans include three Vision devices and four smartglass formats. But we should not expect new products in 2026: all significant releases are scheduled for 2027-2028.
Apple is betting on wearable devices as its next major platform. At least seven new models are being developed now - three of them are related to the Vision line, and four more belong to the smartglasses category. Here's how the timelines and formats are spread out:
Vision lineup
1. Vision Pro with M5 chip (but not second generation)
- Mass production: Q3 2025
- Chip: Apple M5 (instead of M2)
- Volume: up to 200,000 units
- Difference: purely a chip upgrade, design and form factor remain the same
- Problem: software and AI integration still holding back growth
2. Vision Air - lighter and cheaper
- Production: Q3 2027
- -40% weight (new materials: magnesium, plastic instead of glass and titanium)
- Chip: A20 Pro or A21 Pro (from iPhone).
- Goal: cheaper and simpler - less sensors, lower price
3. Vision Pro second generation (M8)
- Production: H2 2028
- New design, lower price and weight
- Chip: top-of-the-line Apple M8
- Goal: completely redesigned premium product with a focus on comfort and autonomy
Smart Glasses
4. Smart glasses "like Ray-Ban" (no display)
- Production: Q2 2027
- Chips: AI functions, audio, camera, voice control, gestures
- No display - bet on minimalism
- Forecast: 3-5 million shipments from Apple alone, over 10 million from all brands
- Problem: Apple is "slow on the uptake" as the device could compete with AirPods and iPhone camera
5. XR display glasses (LCoS)
- Production: 2028
- Colour display support, voice and gesture control
- AI and interface are key to success
6. Display glasses as an iPhone accessory
- Technology: Birdbath + blackout
- Production was scheduled for Q2 2026, but frozen
- Reason: weight 120-130g - hard to compete with <100g analogues
7. Prototype with delayed timeline (unknown)
- Virtually no leaks
- Working title and timeline - no data
Apple Vision Series and Smart Glasses Roadmap (2025-2028): Smart Glasses Set to Drive the Next Wave in Consumer Electronics
- 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 29, 2025
Full story: https://t.co/41Moxlj1Ai pic.twitter.com/U2nQhBmEYg
Source: @mingchikuo
