03 Oct 2025
Apple has reportedly halted work on a lighter, cheaper Vision Pro variant planned for 2027 and is redirecting teams to accelerate multiple smart‑glasses designs intended to compete with Meta’s Ray‑Ban lineup. According to the report cited in the newsletter, one model aims for a 2027 release that connects to iPhones and has no standalone screen, while another will include an integrated display to rival Meta’s Display glasses.
The new glasses are said to emphasize voice controls and AI features, with speakers, cameras, and health‑tracking sensors tied into an upcoming Siri upgrade. The move follows Meta’s recent expansion of its smart‑glasses line (new Display, Neural Band, athlete Oakley option, Ray‑Bans Gen 2), positioning Meta as an early market fit while Apple rethinks its strategy.
Why it matters: Vision Pro’s 2023 launch underperformed due to cost, bulk, and adoption issues. Shifting to lighter, phone‑connected and voice‑centric glasses could better match consumer demand for personal AI, but Apple likely needs the promised Siri redesign and robust AI capabilities before it can credibly challenge Meta in wearables.
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