Apple is reportedly moving into the final prototyping phase for its first pair of AI-powered smart glasses, internally codenamed “N50” (or N401). According to reports from Bloomberg and supply chain leaks earlier today, Apple is currently testing four distinct frame designs to ensure the product appeals to a wide variety of facial shapes and fashion preferences.
The project represents a “pragmatic pivot” for Apple—moving away from the complex, display-heavy augmented reality (AR) lenses of the past and toward a screenless, audio-and-AI-first wearable designed to compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses.
1. The Four “Finalist” Designs
Apple is famously selective with its industrial design, but for a face-worn product, it is adopting the Apple Watch strategy of offering multiple styles at launch.
| Frame Style | Internal Description | Aesthetic Reference |
| Large Rectangular | “Wayfarer” inspired | Bold, classic, and high-volume. |
| Slim Rectangular | “Cook” style | A thinner cut similar to CEO Tim Cook’s own eyewear. |
| Large Oval | Oversized Round | Fashion-forward, lifestyle-oriented. |
| Small Oval | Refined Round | Minimalist and professional. |
- Premium Materials: Unlike the standard plastic used by many competitors, Apple is reportedly using acetate, a high-end material preferred by luxury eyewear brands for its weight, durability, and ability to develop a patina over time.
- Color Palette: Prototypes are currently being tested in Black, Ocean Blue, and Light Brown.
2. The Hardware: “Eyes for Siri”
These glasses will not have a display or transparent screen. Instead, they act as a “physical gateway” for a completely rebuilt Siri (based on the LLMs Apple announced in early 2026).
- Dual-Camera System: One high-res sensor for photos/videos and a second spatial camera (similar to a low-power LiDAR) that allows Siri to “see” and interpret the user’s environment.
- Visual Intelligence: The core feature is the ability for Siri to answer questions about what you are looking at—translating a menu, identifying a plant, or providing navigation prompts via the integrated speakers.
- Indicator Lights: In a nod to privacy (and a distinctive design signature), the glasses will feature an oval camera module with LED indicator lights that glow when the cameras are active.
3. Timeline and Pricing (Estimated)
While Apple may preview the software frameworks at WWDC 2026 this June, the hardware is on a path for a late-2026 unveil.
- Unveil: Late 2026 (likely alongside the iPhone 18 event).
- Consumer Launch: Spring/Summer 2027.
- Estimated Price: Analysts expect a range of $499 to $699 (roughly ₹55,000–₹65,000 in India), positioning them at a 40–60% premium over the Meta Gen 2 glasses.
4. Why This Matters for You
As someone who has been tracking TCS’s AI revenue and Indian market regulations, Apple’s move into smart glasses signals the “next stage” of AI hardware:
- The “Invisible” Interface: Apple is betting that consumers want AI that assists them without a screen, relying on voice and “visual look-up.”
- Ecosystem Lock-in: The glasses will require an iPhone to function, ensuring that the hardware remains lightweight by offloading the heavy processing to your phone.
“The Vision Pro was a tech demo; these glasses are a product people will actually wear to dinner,” noted a supply chain analyst. “By choosing acetate over plastic, Apple is treating this as a fashion accessory first and a gadget second.”
