Apple Halts Vision Air, Focuses on Smart Glasses for 2026 Launch

Apple’s long-rumored Vision Air headset appears to be on indefinite hold, as the company shifts its resources toward a product it believes has a clearer future: lightweight smart glasses.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has redirected a significant number of engineers from the Vision Air project to accelerate the timeline for its first-generation smart glasses, which are expected to compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban partnership.

The Vision Air, initially positioned as a more affordable and streamlined version of Apple’s Vision Pro, had been rumored for a 2027 debut. But now Apple’s strategy has changed, with insiders pointing to 2026 as the new target for mass production of the smart glasses. This marks a full year ahead of previous forecasts and signals Apple’s intent to secure early dominance in the consumer wearables space.

The upcoming Apple Glasses are expected to feature several frame and temple material finishes, giving buyers more fashion-oriented customization than we’ve seen in Apple’s past wearables. Interestingly, these first models won’t include built-in displays. Instead, they will lean heavily on Apple Intelligence, leveraging advanced cameras and sensors to deliver context-aware “Visual Intelligence” features – such as real-time object recognition and AR-like overlays through the connected iPhone or other Apple devices.

Beyond this initial product, Apple is also developing more advanced extended reality (XR) glasses equipped with liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) displays, sophisticated voice commands, and gesture-based navigation. These XR devices are reportedly on track for mass production in 2028, positioning them as the true successors to the Vision Pro line.

Apple’s pivot reflects a recognition that the wearable market is rapidly evolving, and consumers may be more receptive to discreet, everyday glasses than bulky headsets. Still, questions remain: can Apple solve the battery life challenge that plagues current wearables, and will people trust this direction after the hype cycles around VR and AR? Skepticism is natural – especially considering Apple’s history of delays and Bloomberg’s own reputation for sometimes controversial tech reporting – but the industry will be watching closely as Cupertino sets its sights on redefining what smart glasses can be.