Apple eyes the future with smart glasses, but 20th anniversary iPhones could shock buyers

Summary

Apple CEO Tim Cook wants to one day release “true augmented reality glasses,” and Apple’s smart glasses, which are now in development codenamed N50, are a first step towards that.
Meta already has its own smart glasses out, the Meta Ray-Bans for $329, with the company reportedly working on a more expensive model due out later this year.
Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone models may have to be produced in China due to their “extraordinarily complex” design, which means tariffs could impact pricing.

Apple CEO Tim Cook’s “grand vision” for Apple is reportedly to release “true augmented reality glasses” one day. Naturally, a pair of Apple smart glasses represents the next step toward that goal, which are now in development and have a codename. Additionally,

Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhones
could be much more expensive for one key reason.

Last year, Meta released its own pair of smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban, aptly named the

Meta Ray-Bans
, for $329. The glasses feature a variety of innovative technology, such as an AI assistant, cameras, microphones, and even speakers for listening to music or making calls. In short, these glasses can connect to your phone, just like a smartwatch does.

…Apple is continuing the development of its own pair of smart glasses, now codenamed N50, in response to Meta’s work and its own ambitions.

In 2025, Meta reportedly plans to release a high-end version of these glasses that could cost $1,000 and allow users to utilize “simple on-screen apps.” According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is continuing the development of its own pair of smart glasses, now codenamed N50, in response to Meta’s work and its own ambitions. However, Gurman states that they “aren’t close to being ready yet.” So while Meta may have two different smart glasses on the market by the end of the year, it might be some time before Apple’s smart glasses are available on store shelves.

While the glasses are still in deep development, the main focus behind them is reportedly to “turn the glasses into an Apple Intelligence device.” Similar to Apple’s Visual Intelligence, Gurman notes that the smart glasses will be capable of analyzing the environments the wearer observes and “feed information” to them about it. However, like the Meta Ray-Bans, the glasses will “stop well short of true augmented reality glasses.” Last year, Gurman indicated that Apple’s smart glasses could be released in 2027, but given the challenges Apple has had with Siri and Apple Intelligence this year, it remains unclear if 2027 is still the target date.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Functions: Camera / Audio / Smart assistant
Speakers: Dual custom open-ear speakers
Weight: 133g
Resolution: 12MP stills / 1080p video
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.3
Included accessory: Charging case and lens cloth

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Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone could come at a hefty cost

The new phones may be manufactured in China due to their complex nature

Apple's iPhone 16 beside the iPhone 16 Pro.

A few weeks ago, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman broke the news about a “major shake-up” being planned for the iPhone lineup in 2027 to celebrate the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. That’s right, it’s been almost 20 years since Steve Jobs famously unveiled the iPhone in 2007.

Not much is known about the special 20th anniversary iPhone, except that it will be a “bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.” The 20th anniversary iPhone is expected to come with a hefty price tag, especially since it’s a Pro model. Additionally, Apple is reportedly planning its first foldable model for the 20th anniversary as well.

…the complex design nature of both devices could make them even more expensive.

However, the complex design nature of both devices could make them even more expensive. While the Trump Administration’s tariffs on electronics from China have been temporarily exempted, that situation is unlikely to last forever. Gurman reports that, given the “extraordinarily complex” design of the 20th anniversary iPhone models, it is unlikely they will be built outside of China due to the “new parts and production techniques” required for assembly. If the phones are manufactured in China, they could be subject to tariffs, on top of their expected hefty price tag.

Apple has moved much of its production to India in recent years, and the Cupertino-based company reportedly aims to manufacture most of its US-bound iPhones in India by 2027. While the 20th anniversary iPhone models are still two years away, who knows what will happen to US trade policy between now and then. If recent events are any indication, the phones could be impacted by tariffs.