Published on: May 10, 2025 / update from: May 10, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Apple does special chips for smart glasses develop as a competition with the Meta Ray-Ban-special chip N401 smarter as meta? - creative image: xpert.digital
Competition for Ray-Ban: Apple's progress in smart glasses technology
Apple vs. Meta: New technologies in the race of the Smart Glasses
According to current reports, Apple is working intensively on developing its own chips for smart glasses, which are supposed to be in the immediate vicinity of the popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The technology group from Cupertino makes significant progress in the development of an energy -efficient processor that is specially designed for use in data glasses. The market launch could take place in 2026 or 2027.
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The specialized N401 chip for smart glasses
Apple focuses on a tailor -made chip with the internal code name N401 when developing its smart glasses. This processor is based on the proven architecture of the Apple Watch chips, but was specially optimized for the requirements of data glasses. According to reports, the development team has reported certain components and re -configured the chip in order to achieve maximum energy efficiency.
A special feature of the N401 chip is its ability to control several cameras that are to be integrated in the glasses frames. This indicates advanced visual functions that go beyond simple photo recordings. Energy efficiency is the focus of development, since one of the biggest challenges in Smart Glasses is the limited battery capacity.
Technical optimizations for everyday suitability
The Apple chip is specially designed to ensure extremely low power consumption, which is essential for all-day use of glasses. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reports that Apple has already made considerable progress in developing this chips. Mass production could begin at the end of 2026 or 2027, which indicates a market launch in the next two years.
The technical specifications are based on the energy efficiency of the Apple Watch processors, but go one step further by being adapted for specific use in glasses. This strategy corresponds to Apple's usual procedure to develop your own tailor -made chips for different product categories.
Planned functions of the Apple Smart Glasses
The first Apple Smart Glasses will probably not offer complete augmented reality functionality, but will initially focus on practical everyday functions. Similar to the Ray-Ban Meta, the glasses will have cameras, microphones and integrated AI functions.
Everyday AI functions
The expected functions include recording photos, recording videos and translation services. In addition, the glasses could be equipped with a visual intelligence function, which enables the surroundings to scan, describe objects, call up information about products and give directions.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is said to be reported "to be determined to beat Meta in the Smart Glasses market". Last year, the company carried out user studies to determine and explore optimal interaction methods how AI and camera fortegration should work in portable glasses.
Integration into the Apple ecosystem
Another strength of the planned Apple Glasses could be the seamless integration into the existing Apple ecosystem. The glasses could outsource some processing tasks to a close iPhone and use AirPods for the audio output to keep the device lightly and efficiently. This strategy corresponds to Apple's broad goal of integrating its products and offering a coherent user experience.
Comparison with the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
In order to understand the importance of Apple's entry into the smart glasses market, a look at the current market leader is worthwhile: the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which was launched in September 2023.
Technical differences and similarities
The current Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses have a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 GEN1 processor, 12 MP cameras, improved audio quality and functions such as live streaming to Facebook and Instagram. They contain two cameras, open-ear speakers, a microphone and a touchpad that are integrated into the glasses frame.
In contrast, Apple's solution is expected to be based on a specially developed chip that is specially optimized for the requirements of smart glasses. This strategy corresponds to Apple's usual procedure to develop your own hardware and software solutions in order to have maximum control over the user experience.
AI integration as a key factor
Both in META and Apple, the AI integration seems to be a central aspect of the smart glasses strategy. Meta has already introduced an update of Meta AI on its smart glasses, which enables multimodal input via computer vision. Apple is expected to offer similar functions, possibly with Siri as a central element for voice commands and AI interactions.
These AI functions could also play an important role in the area of accessibility. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses can already support people with visual problems by describing environments, reading text reading and giving directions. It can be assumed that Apple will implement similar functions.
Apple's broader strategy for wearables and AI
The development of Smart Glasses is part of a more comprehensive strategy of Apple to expand its presence in the market for wearables and to improve its AI hardware skills.
From vision pro to everyday smart glasses
Apple originally intended that his vision Pro AR headset would finally develop into light smart glasses with powerful augmented reality skills. However, since technological advances do not meet Apple expectations, the company now explores alternative options.
In February 2025, Bloomberg reported that Apple had stopped developing an earlier AR glasses project that should work in connection with Mac computers and should have the appearance of conventional glasses. The biggest challenges were the performance requirements for AR functionality and the integration of the battery.
AI-Serverwarware for “Apple Intelligence”
Parallel to the development of smart glasses, Apple also works on specialized chips for AI servers. These chips, which are developed under the code name “Baltra”, are intended to support the “Apple Intelligence” platform. These server chips could have up to eight times more arithmetic and graphics nuclei than the current M3 ultra chips, which shows Apple's ambitions to make his AI services faster and more competitive.
The development of these special chips underlines Apple's strategy of combining progressive AI with wearables through specially developed chips in order to optimize performance, energy efficiency and security. By controlling hardware and software, Apple aims to promote innovations in consumer electronics and to offer intelligent user experiences.
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Timetable and market prospects for Apple's Smart Glasses
According to the available information, Apple plans to start the mass production of its smart glasses in late 2026 or early 2027. This indicates a market launch in about two years.
Production planning and time frame
The time frame for the market launch reflects Apple's realization that Smart Glasses could become an important market for consumer hardware. Apple's internal schedules indicate a certain urgency to bring this smart glasses to the market.
The cooperation with TSMC, a long-time partner of Apple, which is known for his advanced semiconductor production, signals Apple's intent to compete directly with products such as the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses and to offer a convincing alternative in the growing area of wearable technology.
Market strategy and positioning
Apple seems to pursue a strategy similar to that of other product categories: observation of the market, optimization of technology and then entry with a higher quality product that is integrated into the existing ecosystem. CEO Tim Cook is "determined to beat Meta in the smart glasses market", which underlines the strategic importance of this project for Apple.
Apple's entry could change the smart glasses market
The development of specialized chips for smart glasses marks an important step in Apple's strategy to enter the growing market for portable technologies. With the focus on energy efficiency, AI integration and seamless integration into your own ecosystem, Apple could be a serious competition for Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses.
The success of Apple's Smart Glasses could set new standards for wearable technology and drive innovation and competition in this sector. While Apple further develops and refines its smart glasses, it will be interesting to observe how the market reacts and what new functions and skills are created from this exciting new product category.
The combination of Apple's proven hardware expertise, its strength in chip development and its extensive ecosystem could give the company a decisive advantage over meta and other competitors. The next two years will show whether Apple actually has the potential to revolutionize the Smart Glasses market, as was the case with smartphones and smartwatches.
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