Apple's AR Glasses Might Be 3-5 Years Away Due To Technical Challenges, Here's What We Know

The delays reportedly stem from several significant challenges, including creating lightweight glasses with sufficient battery life, high-quality displays, and a price point that appeals to consumers.

Apple might be in the works to make augmented reality (AR) glasses to rival Google, Meta, and Samsung, who have shown some amount of progress towards the development of the product. Despite making strides in the wearables market with the launch of the Apple Vision Pro this year and a new initiative named 'Atlas,' the company’s augmented reality glasses might still be “three to five years” away from refining their development approach.

Apple AR Glasses: Here's What We Know

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared insights into Apple's ongoing efforts to develop augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. However, he noted that the device is unlikely to debut anytime soon. According to Gurman, the delays stem from several significant challenges, including creating lightweight glasses with sufficient battery life, high-quality displays, and a price point that appeals to consumers.

The report emphasises that Apple aims to achieve a careful balance across these factors before moving forward. As a result, it could take the iPhone-maker “three to five years” to perfect its approach and bring AR smart glasses to market. While Apple has already introduced an AR-like device, the Apple Vision Pro, its steep $3,499 price tag places it far out of reach compared to more affordable options like the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses.

Reports suggest that Apple is also working on a more budget-friendly version of its mixed-reality headset, reflecting its strategy to expand its lineup of headset-focused products. This lower-cost device is rumored to be a simplified version of the Vision Pro, with fewer features and a more economical design, potentially launching in 2025. To reduce production costs, Apple might opt for less advanced hardware, such as fewer cameras and sensors, or use lower-cost materials. The headset is expected to be priced between $1,500 (approximately Rs 1,25,900) and $2,000 (approximately Rs 1,67,900) upon release.