Apple Reportedly Plans to Power Future Smart Glasses with Watch Chip Technology
Apple is reportedly planning to use the same chips found in its Apple Watch to power its upcoming smart glasses, suggesting a focus on energy efficiency and compact technology as the company moves forward with its wearable device strategy.
Tl;dr
Silicon Valley’s Race for Smart Glasses Heats Up
Behind the closed doors of Apple’s research labs, engineers are quietly laying the groundwork for a new era in wearable technology. As competition around connected glasses grows ever fiercer in Silicon Valley, Apple appears to be taking a more methodical route compared to rivals like Meta. Reports from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg reveal that the Cupertino giant is deep into development on a bespoke chip destined for its future smart eyewear.
A Custom Chip: Efficiency Over Raw Power
This upcoming processor draws inspiration from the silicon found in the Apple Watch, yet it will be reimagined specifically for glasses. According to sources, key components have been stripped away to boost energy efficiency, while new capabilities—such as simultaneous management of multiple cameras—have been added. The design imperative is clear: achieve a balance between computational strength and battery life, all within an ultra-compact form factor.
Cautious Timelines Amid Industry Pressure
However, despite growing industry buzz, the timeline remains conservative. While companies like Meta have broadcast plans to introduce their first true augmented reality (AR) eyewear by 2027, Apple‘s engineers are progressing with notable caution. As per estimates cited by Gurman, mass production of this next-generation chip may not commence until at least 2027. This deliberate pace contrasts sharply with the urgency seen elsewhere and seems designed to sidestep costly missteps that have marred several recent tech launches.
The Vision: Pragmatism Before Full Immersion
Interestingly, initial versions of these smart glasses are not expected to deliver « a true augmented reality experience » at launch. Instead, their positioning aims squarely at competing with products like the Ray-Ban intelligent glasses from Meta. In practical terms, users can anticipate frames able to:
Yet even now, the precise feature set remains under consideration, with no final decisions announced regarding functionality.
Elsewhere within its hardware roadmap, Apple continues diversifying beyond wearables. Work is underway on processors tailored for more powerful Mac computers and servers optimized for burgeoning needs in artificial intelligence (AI). Clearly, the company’s evolving silicon strategy signals ambitions far beyond smartphones and watches—a move watched closely by both investors and competitors alike.