Over the past few years, we’ve seen numerous reports and speculations claiming that Apple is working on creating lightweight, practical smart glasses, often referred to as “Apple AR Smart Glasses.” However, there has been no clarification from Apple. Now, if a new report is to be believed, we may have to wait a little longer to see Apple’s smart glasses in action.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is facing significant technical and design challenges in the development of Apple smart glasses, further delaying the product’s launch. In fact, Gurman suggests that the launch could be delayed by at least three to five years.

In his latest “Power On” newsletter, Gurman answered a question explaining why the recently unveiled Apple Vision Pro headset marked Apple’s first big step into augmented reality and virtual reality, but the sleek, functional And developing affordable smart glasses is proving to be successful. Be far more complex. He said that although Apple continues to work on augmented reality smart glasses, it is not expected to launch any products in the near future. Gurman explained that Apple is grappling with a “difficult formula” that involves addressing multiple design and technical hurdles.

According to Gurman, the biggest challenge is achieving a lightweight design that integrates all the functionality of the Apple Vision Pro headset into a frame as thin and comfortable as regular glasses. Smart glasses will require powerful, energy-efficient hardware, advanced displays for AR, and ample battery life – all while maintaining a price point that appeals to consumers.

“There’s nothing coming in the near future,” Gurman said, emphasizing that the technology needed for Apple Glass is still in development. He said Apple is taking its time to address these challenges rather than rushing to market with an incomplete product.

Currently, the Vision Pro headset, scheduled to launch in 2024, represents Apple’s first major product in AR/VR. However, its bulky design and premium $3,499 price make it a niche offering. The device is yet to be launched in many countries. However, the ultimate vision for Apple is a more sophisticated and universally accessible device, such as the Apple Smart Glasses.

Gurman says that, unlike the Vision Pro, which is designed for immersive AR/VR experiences, the rumored Apple Glass focuses solely on augmented reality. This would involve projecting digital information, such as navigation directions or notifications, into the real world through transparent displays. To achieve this, Apple needs to develop micro-displays that are compact yet capable of delivering high-quality visuals.

The second big challenge is battery technology. Given that Apple’s smart glasses would need to be sleek, smaller batteries would be required to fit within the glasses’ thin arms while ensuring many hours of operation, a significant hurdle. Apple is also focusing on improving power efficiency, as larger batteries would compromise the lightweight and sleek design needed for user comfort.

Specifically, in October, Apple launched an internal initiative called “Project Atlas” to gather employee feedback on smart glasses currently available on the market. The project is expected to include more focus groups to refine Apple’s vision for AR glasses.