Apple Accelerates Chip Development for Smart Glasses and AI Expansion

• Apple is developing a low-energy chip for its first smart glasses, which could enter mass production by late 2026 or 2027.
• The company is also creating new Mac chips (likely M6 and M7) and AI server processors to support its Apple Intelligence platform.

Apple is ramping up its chip development efforts, focusing on powering future smart glasses, artificial intelligence (AI) servers, and next-generation MacBooks. The move signals Apple’s deeper push into augmented reality and artificial intelligence as it seeks to keep pace with rivals like Meta Platforms.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple has made notable strides in developing a processor for its first smart glasses. The chip is based on low-energy components similar to those found in the Apple Watch, making it more power-efficient than chips used in iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Designed to manage multiple cameras, the chip may enter mass production by late 2026 or early 2027. If successful, the glasses could hit the market within the next two years.

The new chip will be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Apple’s longtime production partner.

This move positions Apple to compete with Meta’s popular Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have gained attention for their integration with social and AI features. Apple’s smart glasses are expected to complement its broader ambitions in the AI space.

The company has already introduced Apple Intelligence, a suite of on-device AI tools that offer functionalities like notification summarisation, email rewriting, and ChatGPT integration. These capabilities are available on the latest iPhones, highlighting Apple’s commitment to embedding AI across its product line.

Alongside the glasses chip, Apple is developing new processors for future Macs, likely to be named the M6 and M7, and AI servers that will support the Apple Intelligence platform. The company’s in-house silicon development continues to advance, following the February reveal of its first custom modem chip for iPhones.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah