Longtime leaker joins others in saying Apple Glasses won't arrive until late 2027

For years, Apple fans have dreamed of lightweight, everyday smart glasses—a more accessible alternative to the bulky Apple Vision Pro. However, according to a flurry of new reports, that dream has just been pushed further into the future. In a surprising turn of events, longtime Apple leaker Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) has revised his forecast, now agreeing with supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that Apple’s camera-equipped smart glasses, often dubbed "Apple Glasses," won’t arrive until the end of 2027.

A Timeline in Turmoil: From 2026 to 2027

The road to Apple’s augmented reality (AR) eyewear has been anything but straight. As recently as February and April 2026, Gurman was confidently repeating a late 2026 release window for the device, internally codenamed N50. This timeline seemed ambitious but plausible, especially given the growing frequency of leaks since 2024.

However, in his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman dramatically shifted his stance. Citing "development snags" within Apple’s Vision Products Group, he now predicts a launch in the second half of 2027. This is a full year later than his previous estimates.

What makes this delay particularly notable is the suddenness. Unlike the iPhone Fold, which has reportedly faced repeated production issues without a major public timeline shift, the smart glasses project appeared to be on track. Yet just eight months away from a potential product announcement, Apple has seemingly hit a wall, forcing a recalibration of expectations.

Why the Delay? Gurman vs. Kuo

Interestingly, while Gurman is playing catch-up, Ming-Chi Kuo has held a remarkably consistent position. Back in June 2025, Kuo—whose accuracy is rooted in supply chain intelligence—reported that Apple was aiming to ship 3 to 5 million units of its smart glasses in the second quarter of 2027.

For over a year, these two timelines conflicted. Now, Gurman’s admission essentially validates Kuo’s original forecast. The most logical explanation is that Gurman’s internal sources (within Apple’s design teams) were targeting an aggressive "stretch goal" of late 2026, while Kuo’s supply chain sources accurately reflected the manufacturing reality of 2027. As deadlines were missed, Apple’s internal team was forced to concede to the later date.

Not the AR Display You Were Hoping For

It is crucial to manage expectations here. These upcoming Apple Glasses are not the full AR display glasses some rumored for 2025. Instead, they will be far more similar to popular products like the Meta Ray-Ban Stories.

According to the reports, the late 2027 model will feature:

Integrated cameras for photo and video capture.

No heads-up display (no AR interface projected onto the lens).

Distinctive design elements, including oval-shaped cameras, unique colors, and multiple frame styles.

A focus on convenience and potentially health features (Apple reportedly sees future iterations as a health device that could assist people with vision impairments).

True AR glasses with a full display are still "by the end of the decade," meaning 2029 or later.

How Reliable Are These Leaks?

While both Gurman and Kuo have strong track records, they are not infallible. Notably, Gurman has had a rocky history regarding Apple’s headset division. For example, in January 2025, he reported that there would be no new Apple headset that year and suggested the M5 refresh of the Vision Pro had been abandoned. In reality, Apple shipped an unchanged M5 Vision Pro model in October 2025.

Kuo, too, has made bold predictions that fell short—including calling for an Apple Vision Pro in 2022 and full AR glasses by 2025. However, when it comes to mass production timelines and supply chain logistics, Kuo’s word remains the industry gold standard.

What This Means for You

If you are waiting for an Apple alternative to the Vision Pro’s $3,500 price tag, the late 2027 glasses will not be that product. They will likely be more affordable, but also less capable (lacking a display). For true AR display glasses, you are still several years away.

The upcoming WWDC on June 8 may offer a glimpse into Apple’s future software, but do not expect any mention of the N50 glasses in visionOS 27—since they lack a display, they won’t run visionOS.

For now, the smart money is on a late 2027 launch. The conflicting rumors appear to have finally converged, giving us the clearest roadmap yet for Apple’s AR future: the cameras arrive in 2027, but the real magic is still on the horizon.