Kuo: Apple Glasses to Launch in 2026 or 2027 at the Earliest

[MacRumors]

Apple still plans to launch augmented reality "Apple Glasses" by 2026 or 2027 at the earliest, provided it can finalize new metalens technology in the interim, according to Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest summary of surveys and predictions, Kuo says Apple is developing metalens technology to replace plastic lens covers in a range of devices, starting with iPads and iPhones.

Metalenses are a flat lens technology that use metasurfaces to focus light. In optical applications, they can take advantage of the flat surface and reduced thickness, compared to traditional, curved refractive lenses.

According to Kuo, metalens covers are set to enter mass production in 2024 for use in Apple's Face ID system for iPad Pro, then iPhone in 2025 or 2026. If development goes as planned, they would eventually be used in Apple's AR glasses, which will enter production in 2026 or 2027 at the earliest, says the analyst.

Looking further ahead, Kuo predicts that metalens covers could replace "lowest-end" plastic lenses in existing cameras between 2028 and 2030, assuming continuing linear progress in manufacturing and software algorithm development.

"Investors should be aware that over the next few years, metalens will gradually replace existing plastic lenses in 3D sensing applications," says the analyst, adding: "Glasses-type head-mounted display devices are the killer application for metalens."

This is the first time in a long while that Kuo has ventured to offer a launch timeframe for Apple Glasses. In March 2021, the analyst suggested Apple planned to release augmented reality glasses by 2025. That prediction was made in the context of a report about Apple potentially developing AR "contact lenses."

Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple paused development on the augmented reality Apple Glasses that it planned to introduce after its mixed reality headset.

According to Bloomberg, some Apple employees do not believe that Apple will ever ship AR glasses, since most of Apple's AR/VR group is working on mixed reality headsets, the first of which is expected to debut as soon as this June at WWDC.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Glasses to Launch in 2026 or 2027 at the Earliest

 

[Robert.Walter]

Been waiting 5 years for these. Can’t wait any longer. Need new glasses 5 years ago. Literally went to optometrist yesterday for prescription. Now this news.

Me: it’s only two more years, maybe I should wait. 🤔

 

[Will Co]

I read only today that metalenses have been demonstrated in lab based environments that can work with the entire visible spectrum of light without having to use layers of lenses. A single-layer metalens capable of operating in the white light spectrum has so many uses. AR glasses would indeed be useful. But forget AR for a moment. Think about really thin lenses that could be offered to people with a strong prescription. Lenses that can adapt dynamically for different lighting conditions, to provide zoom, to correct both long and short sight in a single thin lens. Amazing tech.

 

[attila]

I know this is a rumour site, but maybe we should just stop talking about these as every piece of "news" is contradicting each other.

 

[Solomani]

Some say the glass is half empty. I'm a "glass is half full" guy myself.

 

[Aston441]

I predict people thst don't wear glasses are not going to start wearing glasses, just to TikTokify their world. This is a fail before leaving the drawing board. Where's my check?

 

[Motawa]

so 2035

 

[howywood]

I predict Apple Brainchip will release in 2032 at the earliest.

 

[contacos]

I already hate being forced to wear glasses due to my Astigmatism. I cannot believe there are people willing to wear glasses for fun 😅

 

[MrPresident]

I find these rumours so much more interesting that the headset rumours.

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Man, this guy is really trying hard to stay relevant.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

“2026-2027 at the earliest” is his way of saying “I have no idea but seems safe enough to guess it’s not coming in the next 3 years.”

 

[Solomani]

I already hate being forced to wear glasses due to my Astigmatism. I cannot believe there are people willing to wear glasses for fun 😅

There are still people in the world wearing glasses for fun?! Ridiculous!

 

[dz5b609]

I know this is a rumour site, but maybe we should just stop talking about these as every piece of "news" is contradicting each other.

Maybe read the article. This article is about Apple glasses not about the Apple Mixed reality headset which is still set to be introduced at this years WDCC.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Not sure why they're playing it so unsafe.
They used to watch tech getting popular and almost completely mature and jump in with the most refined product, at a price that people would only accept from Apple, conquering the market.
Even Google seems to have learned the lesson about crazy experimental stuff that sucks R&D money.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Some say the glass is half empty. I'm a "glass is half full" guy myself.

I’m more of a “the glass is filled to 50% of its volumetric capacity” guy. 😀

 

[DMG35]

Lol just play it safe and just say these will launch sometime this century.

 

[wanha]

Not like anyone really cares, but I'll go on record saying it's highly doubtful we'll be seeing such AR glasses on the market anytime before 2030

 

[Solomani]

Lol just play it safe and just say these will launch sometime this century.

I'll play it safe: Apple Glass will launch before..... Tesla FSD becomes reliable.

 

[Pezimak]

Kuo is making this product out to be another Apple car at this point… not a good look for Apple if true.

But I said many times in here that these glasses will fail anyway as no one will want to wear them.

 

[the future]

Not sure why they're playing it so unsafe. They used to watch tech getting popular and almost completely mature and jump in with the most refined product, at a price that people would only accept from Apple, conquering the market.

iPod was not „playing it safe“. Those tiny HDs were brand new and the whole device was developed in record time.

iPhone was not „playing it safe“. The prototype during the unveiling was barely funtioning, and only as long as Jobs was following the steps the engineers told him to in just the right order. Also, the folks from Nokia famously refused to believe that it was even real, until they bought some on launch day.

iPad was not „playing it safe“. People were shocked how thin and light (and cheap!) it was.

None of those classes of devices were even close to „mature“ when Apple jumped in.

 

[tomtad]

Kuo in 2027:

Apple Glasses still planned but will now launch in the 2030s

 

[Boeingfan]

The insatiable thirst for what is not yet a reality leaves a hollow core.

 

[FightTheFuture]

I already hate being forced to wear glasses due to my Astigmatism.

Toric contact lenses can be used for folks who have astigmatism. They might even be better than glasses for you.

 

[nt5672]

I predict people thst don't wear glasses are not going to start wearing glasses, just to TikTokify their world. This is a fail before leaving the drawing board. Where's my check?

Until Apple makes them a fashion thing. Then everyone will have to have them, logic and common sense aside.