Apple Developing Custom Chip for Apple Glass: Power-Efficient with Camera Control

Apple's Custom Chip Development for Smart Glasses Date: May 8, 2025

Apple is reportedly developing specialized chips tailored for its upcoming smart glasses, known as Apple Glass. The company’s internal silicon design team, which has previously developed chips for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, is now focusing on a lightweight and power-efficient processor for the smart glasses.

Key Points:

• Lightweight Design: The chip must fit into a compact form factor with strict weight and size constraints.
• Power Efficiency: Drawing from the energy-efficient design of Apple Watch chips, the new processor will be optimized to use minimal power.
• Camera Integration: The smart glasses will feature multiple cameras, requiring the chip to handle real-time image processing.
• Production Timeline: Mass production is expected to start by summer 2026, with a potential release by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

AR and Non-AR Versions:

Apple is rumored to be working on two versions of Apple Glass. The non-augmented reality (non-AR) version may focus on functionalities like taking calls, photography, and integrating with a digital assistant. This version could resemble Meta’s RayBan partnership in design and features.

Additional Hardware:

• Cameras: Potential integration of cameras in the Apple Watch and AirPods to enhance external awareness for Apple's AI.
• Chips: Specialized chips named 'Glennie' for AirPods and 'Nevis' for the Apple Watch are reportedly under development.

The project, codenamed N401, is still in development, with augmented reality capabilities being a significant challenge due to current technological limitations.