Apple is significantly expanding its foray into wearable technology, accelerating development of three distinct AI-powered devices: smart glasses, an AI pendant, and upgraded AirPods. The company’s ambitions extend beyond incremental improvements, aiming to create devices deeply integrated with a revamped Siri and capable of understanding and interacting with the user’s environment through onboard cameras.
Smart Glasses: A Premium Challenge to Meta
Apple’s smart glasses, internally codenamed N50, are positioned as a premium competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Unlike some current offerings, Apple’s glasses will forgo a built-in display, focusing instead on a voice-based interface powered by Siri. Prototypes have been distributed within Apple’s hardware engineering division, and the company is targeting a 2027 launch, with potential production beginning as early as December 2026.
The core differentiator for Apple’s glasses lies in their camera system. The device will feature a high-resolution camera for capturing photos and videos, alongside a second camera dedicated to providing visual information to Siri and understanding the surrounding environment. This second camera will leverage technology similar to LiDAR found in iPhones, enabling depth sensing and object recognition. Apple intends to surpass Meta’s offerings in camera quality and overall build materials, utilizing acrylic for a more premium feel.
Functionality will include standard smart glass features like making phone calls, playing music, and capturing photos, and videos. However, Apple envisions more advanced capabilities, such as identifying objects in the user’s field of view and providing detailed information, as well as offering precise navigation directions. The glasses could also incorporate a “Visual Intelligence” feature, capable of reading text from the physical world – like event dates on a poster – and automatically adding it to the user’s calendar. Context-aware reminders and live translation are also being explored.
The AI Pendant: An iPhone Companion
Perhaps the most intriguing of Apple’s new wearables is the AI pendant. Described as roughly the size of an AirTag but slightly thicker, this device is not intended to function as a standalone product. Instead, it’s designed to operate as an extension of the iPhone, acting as the “eyes and ears” of the phone, according to internal descriptions.
The pendant will feature an always-on camera and microphone for Siri input, powered by a dedicated chip. Unlike some competing AI pins, it will not include a projector or a screen. Apple is currently evaluating whether to include a speaker. The pendant’s primary function is to leverage AI to provide contextual awareness and assistance, relying on the iPhone for processing and connectivity.
AI-Powered AirPods: Seeing What You Hear
Apple is also developing a new generation of AirPods equipped with cameras. These cameras won’t be intended for traditional photography but will instead provide visual input to enhance Siri’s capabilities. The cameras will be low-resolution, focusing on providing the AI with contextual information about the user’s surroundings.
This integration could enable features like live translation during conversations and a more nuanced understanding of voice commands. The AirPods are expected to launch as early as this year, potentially offering a significant leap forward in the capabilities of wireless earbuds.
A Broader AI Strategy
These developments are part of a larger push by Apple to integrate AI more deeply into its product ecosystem. Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly emphasized the importance of AI devices to employees, signaling a strategic shift towards AI-driven hardware. The company’s approach appears to be focused on leveraging AI to enhance existing functionalities and create new, contextually aware experiences, rather than simply replicating features found in competing products.
The timing of these announcements comes as other tech giants, including Google and Samsung, are also investing heavily in AI wearables and smart glasses. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have seen a tripling of sales in 2025, demonstrating growing consumer interest in the category. Apple’s entry into this market is expected to further accelerate innovation and competition, potentially reshaping the future of wearable technology.
