Meta’s XR Glasses to Launch Late 2025, Ahead of Apple’s AI Device
Meta’s forthcoming augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are reportedly progressing towards a release later this year, well ahead of Apple’s much-anticipated smart glasses integrating Apple Intelligence. New developments add weight to earlier speculation and suggest that a major competition in AR wearable technology may unfold over the next decade, with Meta currently enjoying a considerable lead.
The latest insights come from Mark Gurman’s PowerOn newsletter, which, while behind a paywall, details insider accounts of ongoing projects at Meta and Apple. According to these reports, Meta is working diligently on its next generation of smart glasses, following the trajectory of its existing collaboration with Ray-Ban. However, the new device is expected to feature a built-in display and carry a premium price tag, reportedly exceeding $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$ 1,500.
Meta is aiming for an October 2025 release date, aligning with its usual launch windows for new Quest devices and smart glasses. Nevertheless, there appears to be mounting internal pressure to adhere to this ambitious timeline. Senior management within Meta has reportedly urged teams to intensify their efforts, and in some cases, staff have been asked to sacrifice upcoming weekends to meet development milestones. Despite these challenges, there is hope that the glasses will launch by the end of 2025 rather than slipping into 2026, ideally without placing undue strain on employees.
Meanwhile, Apple’s competition is gradually materialising. Gurman’s reporting highlights that Apple is developing its first smart glasses, codenamed ‘N50’. These glasses are described as an Apple Intelligence device capable of analysing the surrounding environment and delivering information to the user, although they will not initially offer full AR capabilities. This positioning suggests that Apple’s product may closely resemble the smart glasses Meta has already brought to market, rather than offering a radically new experience.
However, Apple’s launch timeline for the N50 device remains uncertain. Gurman’s report does not provide a specific release date, implying that Apple’s entry into the smart glasses arena may still be some distance away. This delay could give Meta, along with competitors like Snap, Google, and Samsung, who are expanding their own smart glasses initiatives through platforms like Android XR, a significant advantage in establishing early dominance in the sector.
As Meta pushes ahead, it is clear that the race towards mainstream AR wearables is heating up. While Apple’s eventual entry into the market will undoubtedly be significant, for now, Meta and other tech companies seem poised to capitalise on Apple’s slower pace. The coming years are expected to define the early leaders in the emerging AR smart glasses landscape, setting the stage for a new wave of innovation and competition.
