Apple Developing New Chips for Smart Glasses, Macs, AI Servers [Report]

Apple's silicon design group is pushing ahead with new custom chips intended for a range of future devices, including the company's first smart glasses, more powerful Macs, and dedicated AI servers, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

The company has reportedly made progress on the processor for its smart glasses, indicating increased focus on developing such a wearable. This device would likely compete with existing smart spectacles like those from Meta Platforms. The silicon team's work has become central to Apple's product strategy, particularly since the shift away from Intel processors for its Macs began in 2020. Other chip development efforts detailed in the report target future Mac models and the infrastructure needed to power the Apple Intelligence platform.

The smart glasses processor is said to be derived from Apple Watch chips, prioritizing lower energy consumption compared to components found in iPhones or Macs. It's being customized for improved power efficiency and designed to manage the multiple cameras planned for the glasses. Apple is reportedly targeting mass production for this chip by late 2026 or in 2027, suggesting a potential market launch for the glasses themselves within the next couple of years. While Apple has long explored augmented reality, the initial smart glasses, codenamed N401, are expected to focus on non-AR capabilities, using cameras and AI to assist users – a concept Apple isn't rushing compared to Meta's timeline. Despite the measured pace, CEO Tim Cook is reportedly determined to beat Meta in the smart glasses market.


Beyond wearables, several new Mac chips are reportedly in the works, including processors likely to be designated M6 (codenamed Komodo) and M7 (Borneo), plus a more advanced Mac chip known as Sotra. Apple is also expected to bring the M5 processor to the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro lineup potentially by the end of this year.

For its artificial intelligence initiatives, Apple is developing its first dedicated AI server chips under the project name Baltra. These processors would handle Apple Intelligence tasks remotely, feeding information back to user devices. This project, potentially using components developed with Broadcom, is aimed for completion around 2027. Apple is reportedly considering chip designs with significantly higher core counts than current high-end Mac chips like the M2 Ultra, which currently handle these tasks.

The report also touches on chips for other future devices. Apple is developing a chip called Nevis for a potential camera-equipped Apple Watch and another named Glennie for similarly outfitted AirPods, with readiness targeted around 2027. Following the release of its first C1 modem chip in the iPhone 16e, Apple is planning a C2 modem for high-end iPhones next year and a C3 version for the year after. Johny Srouji's hardware technology groups are also working on underlying components for longer-term projects, including a sensor and chip system for noninvasive glucose monitoring in a future Apple Watch. Apple declined to comment on the report.

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