Meta’s smart glasses challenge Apple’s delayed project
Meta’s smart glasses are currently ahead of Apple’s efforts, as Apple has faced significant delays and setbacks in its smart glasses project.
Apple initially pursued an advanced augmented reality (AR) glasses project, codenamed N107, that would have paired with Mac computers and featured built-in displays for each eye, similar to Meta’s AR ambitions. However, this project was canceled in early 2025 due to technical challenges, including processing power limitations and battery life issues, as well as poor internal reviews of prototypes.
Following the commercial failure of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which was costly and cumbersome, Apple has shifted focus back to CEO Tim Cook’s original vision of lightweight, standalone smart glasses that overlay AR on the real world rather than fully immersive VR. Apple is now exploring smart glasses more akin to Meta’s successful Ray-Ban smart glasses, which combine cameras, microphones, AI features, and premium audio with tight iPhone integration, though these would not initially offer full AR capabilities.
Meta, meanwhile, has advanced its smart glasses lineup with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which have been commercially successful, and is developing the next-generation Orion AR glasses, expected around 2027. Orion aims to provide true augmented reality experiences with high-end optics, though currently at a high development cost.
Apple is continuing research and development in smart glasses technologies, including custom microLED displays and AI integration, and is also working on camera-equipped AirPods. However, it may take Apple three to five years or longer to bring a competitive AR glasses product to market, potentially by 2030.
In summary, Meta currently leads the smart glasses market with established products and a clear AR roadmap, while Apple is regrouping after canceling its prior project and is working toward a more user-friendly, AI-enhanced smart glasses product that may challenge Meta in the future but is delayed by several years.
Meta Orion vs. Apple Atlas: AR Glasses Comparison
| Feature/Aspect | Meta Orion | Apple Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Product Status | Advanced prototype, demoed publicly | Early-stage, internal study and development |
| Form Factor | Bulkier than regular glasses, but lightweight (100g); “ultrathick arty frames” | Aims for a form factor closer to regular glasses, more like Ray-Ban Meta |
| Display Technology | Transparent holographic displays, wide 70° FOV, microLED projectors | Not finalized, but expected to use advanced microLED and Apple Intelligence |
| Resolution | 13–26 pixels per degree (prototype); goal is higher for consumer version | Not specified; likely targeting high clarity |
| Input/Control | Wireless neural wristband input | Not disclosed; likely to integrate with Apple ecosystem and AI |
| Processing | Wireless compute unit (offloads processing, keeps glasses light) | Not specified, but likely to leverage iPhone tethering and Apple Intelligence |
| AI Integration | Meta AI features, real-time AR overlays | Expected to run Apple Intelligence for smart features |
| Battery/Power | External wireless compute unit, focus on comfort and extended use | Not detailed; likely to prioritize battery life and lightweight design |
| Price Expectation | High prototype cost (~$10,000), aiming for affordability in consumer version | Not announced; likely to target premium but accessible pricing |
| Market Readiness | Years ahead of Apple, but still not a true consumer product | Consumer launch still years away; focus on perfecting form factor and integration |
Key Differences
- Technological Maturity: Meta’s Orion glasses are further along, with working prototypes and public demos, while Apple’s Atlas is still in internal development and user studies.
- Form Factor: Orion is lightweight for AR glasses but still noticeably bulkier than typical eyewear. Apple is prioritizing a more discreet, everyday-glasses look for Atlas, similar to Ray-Ban Meta.
- Display & Field of View: Orion boasts a wide 70-degree field of view, a significant leap over most current AR glasses. Atlas’s display details remain under wraps, but Apple is expected to pursue high clarity and seamless integration.
- AI & Ecosystem: Both devices will leverage their parent companies’ AI (Meta AI vs. Apple Intelligence), but Atlas is expected to be deeply integrated with Apple’s ecosystem and iPhone tethering.
- Market Timing: Meta is closer to a consumer launch, but both products are still years away from mainstream availability. Apple is taking a slower, more perfectionist approach, aiming for a breakthrough in both technology and usability.
Summary
Meta’s Orion AR glasses represent the most advanced prototype on the market, offering a wide field of view, wireless operation, and innovative input methods, but are not yet ready for mass-market adoption due to cost and form factor limitations. Apple’s Atlas project is still in early development, with a focus on everyday usability, seamless AI integration, and a form factor that closely resembles regular glasses, but consumer availability is likely several years away.
Meta currently leads in technological demonstration, while Apple is betting on a more refined, user-friendly product in the long run.
Conclusion
Apple Vision Pro currently offers superior raw processing power and lower latency due to its integrated, desktop-class hardware, enabling more demanding and immersive AR/VR experiences. Meta’s Orion prioritizes comfort and wearability by shifting processing to an external unit, which may limit its peak performance but makes it better suited for lightweight, everyday AR use.
Citations:
- https://www.mediumenergy.io/p/the-showdown-meta-orion-vs-apple
- https://blogs.expandreality.io/apple-vision-pro-vs-meta-orion-a-new-ar-showdown
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-09-29/meta-steps-up-pressure-on-apple-vision-with-orion-ar-glasses-and-cheaper-quest-3-m1nkq76p
- https://www.byteplus.com/en/topic/80398
- https://www.brutusai.com/search/Please-Compare-Apple-Vion-Pro-With-Meta-Orion-nK7EpU7
- https://blog.cubed.run/meta-orion-vs-apple-vision-pro-13891677a3d1?gi=fe90ab3decd5
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__W7fB7F2K4
- https://www.analyticsinsight.net/tech-news/apples-vision-pro-vs-metas-orion-ar-glasses-a-comparison
