Apple sees head-mounted devices as its next big opportunity, a top analyst says. But the consumer electronics giant likely won't release a set of smart glasses until mid-2027. Apple stock rose on Monday.
In a blog post Sunday, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, said Apple is working on at least seven projects in the category. They include three products in its Vision family and four smart-glasses variants.
"Apple is not expected to launch any new head-mounted devices in 2026, with multiple product releases planned from 2027 onward," Kuo said.
The company released its first attempt at the category in February 2024 with the Apple Vision Pro spatial-computing headset. Those $3,500 goggles combine augmented reality with virtual reality capabilities.
"Apple views head-mounted devices as the next major trend in consumer electronics," Kuo said. "Among Apple's head-mounted offerings, Ray-Ban-like smart glasses will likely be the first to achieve significant volume, with projected shipments of 3–5 million units or more in 2027."
Apple is on track to release a new version of its Vision Pro headset in the third quarter this year, Kuo said. It will feature a processor upgrade — from the M2 chip to the M5, Kuo said. But it's expected to be a low-volume, developmental product, he said.
Apple Stock Deep In Consolidation
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company is targeting third-quarter 2027 for a mass-market spatial-computing headset — the "Apple Vision Air." It will feature a "substantially lighter" form factor and "significantly lower price point" than the current Vision Pro, Kuo said.
On the stock market today, Apple stock climbed 2% to close at 205.17.
The next potential catalyst for Apple stock will be the company's fiscal third-quarter results in late July or early August.
Meanwhile, Apple stock is deep in a 26-week consolidation pattern with a buy point of 260.10, according to IBD MarketSurge charts.
Follow Patrick Seitz on X at @IBD_PSeitz for more stories on consumer technology, software and semiconductor stocks.
