Apple Rumoured to Be Developing Chips for Smart Glasses and AI Servers
Could the next revolution in wearable tech come from Apple's own foundry? According to a Bloomberg-backed report, Apple's silicon design team is hard at work on bespoke processors for upcoming devices, including its first smart glasses, new Mac models and dedicated AI servers. This strategic push builds on the success of the in-house Mac chips launched in 2020, signalling a broader ambition to control the full stack from sensor to screen. For gadget-minded professionals, these developments matter now: they promise leaner power consumption, tighter integration and fresh features that could reshape daily tech use.
Smart Glasses Chip: Low-Power Vision
Apple aims to begin mass production of its smart glasses processor by late 2026 or early 2027, pointing to a market debut within two years. The chip-codenamed N401-derives from the ultra-efficient Apple Watch silicon. By removing unneeded modules, the design team optimises battery life while managing multiple integrated cameras. These cameras will enable non-AR functions such as photography, audio playback and voice-assistant interactions, mirroring current Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Imagine a commuter using simple glasses to capture notes or translate street signs on the fly: that's the real-world scenario driving Apple's choice.
Jargon Defined:
- AR (Augmented Reality): Digital overlays on the real world.
- Non-AR Smart Glasses: Wearables that focus on sensors, cameras and assistants rather than full AR displays.
Expanding the Apple Silicon Family
Beyond wearables, Apple's roadmap includes next-generation Mac processors, likely branded M6 (Komodo) and M7 (Borneo), plus a more advanced Sotra chip for high-end pro models. The M5 is slated for iPad Pro and MacBook Pro by year-end, promising notable gains in CPU and GPU performance. Such chips have already transformed workflows: graphic designers enjoy smoother rendering and developers compile code faster. This tight hardware-software co-design underpins Apple's competitive edge and underscores the significance of Apple silicon as a core differentiator.
AI Servers: Powering Apple Intelligence
To fuel its Apple Intelligence platform, the company is also creating its first dedicated AI servers. Codenamed Baltra, these chips could feature up to eight times the CPU and GPU cores of today's M3 Ultra, vastly accelerating tasks from summarising emails to on-device machine learning . Today, high-end Macs handle server-side AI workloads. By shifting to Baltra, Apple expects lower latency and tighter privacy controls, keeping sensitive data encrypted end-to-end. For enterprises, this means faster, more secure AI services embedded in iPhones, Macs and wearables.
Diversified Bets: Watches, AirPods and Health Sensors
Apple isn't stopping at glasses and Macs. The company plans new chips called Nevis for camera-equipped Apple Watches and Glennie for AirPods with vision capabilities, both targeting a 2027 rollout. Features such as Visual Intelligence-already on iPhone-could jump to wrist or ear, letting users scan posters or menus hands-free. Meanwhile, research continues on non-invasive glucose monitoring sensors, a potential game-changer for health tracking. By embedding specialised processors across devices, Apple ensures each product feels part of a unified ecosystem.
Key Takeaways:
- Apple leverages low-power watch chips for wearables.
- New Mac chips extend performance gains.
- AI server processors reduce reliance on third-party data centres.
- Expanded device portfolio includes cameras and health sensors.
Conclusion
Apple's expanding silicon arsenal-spanning smart glasses, powerful Macs and AI servers-cements its drive to innovate across hardware and software. By custom-designing each processor, the company can optimise performance, battery life and privacy. These chips promise to enhance everyday tasks, from hands-free translation to speedy photo editing and smarter AI assistants. As Apple races Meta and Google in wearables and AI, one question remains: will seamless integration trump first-to-market in defining the winner?