Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that Apple is working on at least seven head-mounted products across two families: the Vision series and smart glasses. Five devices have confirmed timelines, while two remain undated.
Vision Series Developments:
- M5 Vision Pro: Scheduled for mass production in Q3 2025, this updated model will retain most specifications with expected shipments of 150,000 to 200,000 units by year-end.
- Vision Air: Set for Q3 2027 production, this lighter and more affordable version will weigh 40% less, use plastic and magnesium alloy instead of glass and titanium, feature a top-tier iPhone processor, and have fewer sensors.
- Second-generation Vision Pro: Mass production planned for the second half of 2028, featuring a redesign, a “Mac-class” processor, reduced weight, and a lower price point.
Smart Glasses and Display Accessories:
- First-generation Apple Glasses: Contrary to earlier speculation of a 2026 release, Kuo expects mass production to begin in Q2 2027, with 3–5 million units shipped. They will offer various frames and materials, voice and gesture controls, photo/video capabilities, AI-powered environment sensing, and audio support.
- Two XR smart glasses: The first with built-in displays using Liquid Crystal on Silicon and waveguide technology will enter production in 2028. A second model is also in development, though details are scarce.
- Display accessory: Development is currently paused due to weight concerns. Intended for Mac and iPhone, it would have used Birdbath optics and aimed for production in Q2 2026.
Kuo emphasizes that Apple sees head-mounted devices as a key future trend and anticipates that its entrance will expand the total market beyond 10 million shipments in 2027. While other brands may release smart glasses earlier, these are likely to remain niche until technology improves.
Overall, Apple appears focused on launching advanced, user-friendly products, even if it means entering the market later than competitors.