https://www.geeknetic.es/Noticia/36094/Apple-freeze-Vision-Air-y-adelanta-sus-gafas-inteligentes-a-2026-con-Apple-Intelligence-y-camaras-de-vision-artificial.html
The ecosystem of Apple devices does not stop moving. At the beginning of the year, the well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo drew up a roadmap in which Vision Air, a lighter and more affordable version of the Vision Pro that, according to initial plans, was to arrive in 2027.
However, the latest information from Bloomberg They point to a shift in strategy: Apple has temporarily suspended development of the Vision Air to redirect part of its engineers to the project of its smart glasses, a device that could see the light of day sooner than expected.
From Vision Air to glasses that will compete with Meta
The movement is not coincidental. Apple faces an extended reality market that is still in a very early phase, with bulky devices, high prices and public interest that is moving more cautiously than the industry imagined. The Vision Pro are a technological showcase, but not a mass product. Vision Air was going to fill that gap, offering a cheaper and lighter model, but it seems that its priority has dropped down the list.
In parallel, Meta has achieved some success with its Ray-Ban Meta, glasses that do not seek to replace the mobile phone or create a parallel world, but rather add a layer of intelligence and capture to everyday life. Apple seems to have taken note and wants to accelerate the launch of its own device in that segment: more discreet and everyday smart glasses that allow the consumer to try out the technology in a less intimidating approach.
2026, the new horizon for Apple Glass
The Bloomberg report places the mass production of these Apple glasses at sometime in 2026thus moving one year ahead of previous forecasts. According to leaked details, the first generation will not have integrated screens, which reinforces the idea that it is a product closer to traditional glasses than to an XR viewer.
Inside there will be multiple integrated cameras that will allow Apple Intelligence functions to be applied with computer vision capabilities. This opens the door to use cases such as object recognition, visual translation, scene scanning or integration with Apple ecosystem services. A device more focused on processing and enriching information from the environment, without the need to add graphic layers over the user’s view.
Additionally, the company is expected to offer different finishes and materials in frames and templesa common detail at Apple, which does not usually settle for functionality and seeks a design and customization component that connects with fashion and lifestyle.
Vision Air, on pause but not ruled out
The fact that the Vision Air has frozen does not necessarily mean that Apple has abandoned the idea of a lightweight version of its headsets.s. Rather, it seems like a tactical move: concentrating resources on a project that has a better chance of being adopted by a broad public in the short term.
The reality is that a device like Vision Air is still attractive in terms of strategy, because it would allow expand the price range and reduce entry barriers to Apple’s mixed reality. But the pace of market adoption is king, and right now the company seems determined to first build a bridge with a less disruptive and more everyday product.
What’s next: XR glasses in 2028
Meanwhile, Apple is keeping an eye on the future of extended reality. According to the leaked roadmap, lThe company is working on XR glasses with LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) screenswhich would incorporate advanced controls based on voice and gestures. Its mass production would be scheduled for the second quarter of 2028, which points to a much more ambitious product, capable of combining augmented and virtual reality with a lighter format than current viewers.
This evolution fits with Apple’s long-term vision: first introduce an entry-level product that normalizes the use of smart glasses, and then move towards full XR experiences when the technology and market are more mature.
A strategic bet
The decision to prioritize smart glasses over Vision Air reflects an adjustment of priorities that responds to both direct competition with Meta and the need for find a mass product within the new technological cycle.
The Vision Pro will continue to set the standard as a reference device, but Apple needs a more affordable, lighter and natural format that allows it to penetrate the daily lives of millions of users. And if the company manages to repeat what it did with the iPod, the iPhone or the Apple Watch (that is, turn a niche into a consumer standard), 2026 could mark a turning point.
Apple’s immediate future is less about premium viewers and more about smart glasses that bring AI and artificial vision to the realm of everyday life. The delay of Vision Air is actually a strategic move: focus on a device that can compete directly with Meta and that, if it manages to win over the general public, will pave the way for the arrival of more advanced XR glasses in 2028.
The extended reality and wearables market is still writing its first pages, but Apple has already made it clear that its commitment will not be limited to a single product. And the battle, increasingly, is being fought in the most personal space possible: what we wear on our faces.
