New AI Glasses in 2026 and the Camera-Less Apple Watch

Apple is gearing up for a major hardware shake-up: its first AI-powered smart glasses are slated to land by the end of 2026, even as plans for a camera-equipped Apple Watch have quietly been shelved.

2026 Smart Glasses: Apple’s AI Flagship

Building on lessons from Vision Pro and pressure to keep pace with rivals like Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, Apple will start prototyping its smart glasses late in 2025. The final devices are expected to include:

• Built-in Camera, Microphone & Speakers: Letting you capture moments, take calls, and listen hands-free.
• Siri Integration: Voice-activated support for navigation, live translation, messaging, and more.
• Custom Chip: A low-power processor—likely derived from Apple Watch silicon—designed to run AI workloads locally.
• Polished Design: Sleek frames in signature Apple style, with mass production handled by overseas partners.

These glasses aim to expand Apple’s AI ecosystem beyond phones and headsets, offering a more natural, always-ready interface for everyday tasks.

Why the Apple Watch Camera Was Nixed

Originally targeted for a 2027 release, a future Apple Watch model with an integrated environmental-analysis camera has been canceled. Key reasons include:

• Regulatory Hurdles: New rules in regions like the EU impose strict controls on embedded cameras, complicating approval.
• Privacy Concerns: Apple is wary of backlash over always-on capture features in a device worn on the wrist.
• Shifting Priorities: Resources are being funneled into higher-impact AI wearables and next-gen AirPods with camera support instead.

By dropping the watch camera, Apple can focus engineering talent on that 2026 glasses deadline without spreading its hardware teams too thin.

What This Means for Apple and You

• Diversified AI Portfolio: From iPhone to Vision Pro, and now smart glasses, Apple is building a family of AI devices to lock in users.
• Competitive Edge: A smoother, camera-equipped wearable could leapfrog the lukewarm response to Vision Pro and rival Meta’s strong smart-glass sales.
• Supply-Chain Signals: Early prototype runs and chip partnerships hint at Apple’s confidence in hitting tight 2026 timelines—though unexpected delays remain possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What can Apple’s smart glasses actually do?
They’ll stream calls, capture photos/video, handle Siri requests, display lightweight info overlays, and possibly run translation and navigation—all via a built-in camera, mic, speakers, and local AI chip.

Q2: Why won’t the next Apple Watch have a camera?
New camera regulations, privacy considerations for a wrist-worn device, and Apple’s need to prioritize its glasses project led to canceling the built-in-camera watch plan.

Q3: When will these glasses be available?
Prototype production begins in late 2025, with a full market launch expected by the end of 2026—assuming Apple hits its development and regulatory targets.

Sources Bloomberg