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Apple Halts Vision Pro Overhaul to Focus on AI-Powered Smart Glasses

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Apple has paused development of its next-generation Vision Pro headset to redirect resources toward the creation of artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses, according to a report by Bloomberg News citing people familiar with the matter.

The company had been working on a cheaper and lighter version of its $3,499 Vision Pro — code-named N100 — with a tentative release window in 2027. However, Apple reportedly told employees last week that development teams will now shift their focus to an AI glasses project, accelerating its timeline to compete directly with Meta Platforms’ smart eyewear.

The decision reflects Apple’s changing strategy in the face of slowing Vision Pro sales. The mixed-reality headset, launched in February 2024, received strong initial attention but quickly lost momentum amid limited mainstream content and competition from more affordable alternatives like Meta’s Quest series.

TWO NEW GLASSES MODELS IN DEVELOPMENT

Apple is said to be working on two distinct smart glasses models:

  • N50, the first version, will connect to an iPhone and will not include a display. Apple aims to unveil this model as early as next year, with a public release planned for 2027.

  • A second, more advanced model — equipped with a built-in display — is now being fast-tracked for release around 2028, according to Bloomberg’s sources.

The advanced model is seen as Apple’s answer to Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased in September along with a new Oakley-branded “Vanguard” model designed for athletes.

Apple’s upcoming glasses will reportedly emphasize voice control and AI-driven functions, integrating tightly with iPhone services and Apple’s growing ecosystem of on-device intelligence.

SHIFTING STRATEGY IN THE AI ERA

The move highlights Apple’s broader push to catch up in artificial intelligence, an area where competitors such as Google and Meta have been more aggressive.

At Apple’s September product launch event, the company introduced new iPhones and a slimmer iPhone Air, but industry analysts noted the absence of major AI announcements, raising questions about Apple’s roadmap in the rapidly evolving AI market.

By contrast, Google’s Gemini-powered Pixel phones and Meta’s AI-integrated wearables have taken the spotlight in the consumer AI space.

When contacted by Reuters, Apple declined to comment on the report.

If the timeline holds, Apple’s shift could mark a major strategic pivot from mixed reality to wearable AI, positioning its smart glasses as a potential successor — not just a companion — to the iPhone.

Apple’s iPhone Event May Lack Spark, but Rumored Slim ‘iPhone Air’ Could Drive Upgrades

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Apple is set to unveil its latest iPhone lineup on Tuesday, but analysts warn the launch could feel underwhelming compared with rivals’ rapid AI integration. The highlight may be the rumored “iPhone Air”, a slimmer model designed to echo the sleekness of Apple’s MacBook Air.

The thinner device would require Apple to solve battery and camera design challenges while fitting into a price band between the base iPhone 17 and Pro models. Analysts say this new form factor could entice iPhone 14–16 users to upgrade, offering Apple its first meaningful design shift in years.

Some see the “Air” as a stepping stone toward foldable iPhones and a more advanced Siri, though foldables are not expected until next year. Competitors like Samsung and Google already have folding models, but they remain a niche category at less than 2% of global sales. Apple faces added pressure in China, where foldables are popular and its market share has slipped.

Pricing remains a sensitive issue amid Trump’s tariff policies. Apple may quietly push margins higher through storage-based price increases, avoiding direct price hikes that could trigger political backlash, analysts say.

On the AI front, Apple has lagged rivals. Plans to revamp Siri were delayed by engineering hurdles, forcing the company to lean on OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration. Apple is also in early talks to use Google’s Gemini AI to strengthen Siri. Analysts expect the company to tout the AI processing power of its next-gen Apple Silicon chips, paving the way for an “agentic Siri” that can handle tasks in the background without draining device batteries.

While Apple’s customer base remains loyal, experts warn the company now has months, not years, to prove it can match competitors in AI and form-factor innovation. “By this time next year, if Siri still disappoints and the foldable isn’t out, Apple’s content base could erode,” said Bob O’Donnell of TECHnalysis Research.

Samsung unveils slimmer foldable phones to counter Chinese rivals and boost AI leadership

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Samsung Electronics on Wednesday revealed thinner and lighter foldable smartphones as it seeks to defend its premium segment against growing Chinese competition from Huawei and Honor, while Apple has yet to enter this niche market.

Having lost its global smartphone crown to Apple in 2023, Samsung is pushing to regain momentum by integrating AI features into its foldable devices. Mobile President and COO Choi Won-joon highlighted foldables combined with AI as poised to go mainstream, offering users a unique and differentiated experience. Samsung aims to lead in AI-powered smartphones by collaborating with partners like Google, contrasting Apple’s in-house AI approach that has faced delays.

Alongside the foldables, Samsung launched its first smartwatches featuring Google’s AI voice assistant Gemini, which offers personalized recommendations such as running locations.

Samsung’s premium strategy continues amid U.S. tariffs that could raise costs. The new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is 10% lighter and 26% thinner than the Fold 6 and priced 5% higher at $1,999. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE offers a more affordable option at $899. The Fold 7 uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, while the Flip 7 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos processors.

Analysts say the new models address bulkiness concerns and strengthen Samsung’s premium brand image. However, foldables remain niche with just 1.5% market share globally. Research firm Canalys expects foldable shipments to stay flat or slightly decline in 2025, with Samsung’s foldables accounting for 4% of total phone sales but 16% of sales over $800. Samsung’s dominance is challenged by strong Chinese sales, especially in China.

Samsung will focus foldable sales on the U.S., Europe, and South Korea. The company is also developing a tri-fold phone to launch by year-end, allowing users to fold the device three ways.

To prepare for U.S. tariffs, Samsung accelerated production and shipments destined for the U.S., manufacturing primarily in Vietnam, South Korea, and India. It is also mitigating China’s rare earth export restrictions by diversifying suppliers and increasing internal stockpiles.