Apple’s rumored smart glasses might not even be here yet, but they’re already causing ripples across the industry.
A new report from DigiTimes (via MacRumors) says Apple’s expected entry into the smart glasses market by late 2026 is pushing AR optics suppliers, especially in Taiwan, to move faster, spend more, and seriously rethink their priorities.
Apple hasn’t launched anything, but suppliers are already gearing up
The smart glasses category is growing thanks to Meta and others, but the industry seems to believe Apple will be the real turning point. The kind of moment that takes AR glasses from “cool niche gadget” to “mainstream product people actually buy.”
Because of that, suppliers are expanding production capacity now, years ahead of any official Apple announcement.
One example is Kinko Optical, which reportedly opened a new AR, VR, and MR research center backed by a $5.6 million investment. The company is said to be working on key technologies like:
- Nanoimprint optical waveguides
- Optical engines
These are essential building blocks for modern AR glasses, and Kinko is apparently one of the only Taiwanese companies developing both at once.
Joint development projects with clients are expected to begin in 2026, which lines up neatly with the rumored Apple timeline.
Taiwan’s optics industry is shifting into AR mode
Kinko isn’t alone here.
Other suppliers are also moving quickly:
- Asia Optical is accelerating AR, VR, and metalens development
- The company has partnered with Singapore-based MetaOptics on metalens tech
- JMO Corp. has already entered AR glasses supply chains
- Aiimax Innovation has completed metalens samples now undergoing certification
In other words, the supply chain is already getting into position.
Apple’s entry could change the economics of smart glasses
The report suggests Apple’s arrival could do what Apple often does: scale the category up.
More volume means:
- More stable supply chains
- Lower component costs
- Faster commercialization
- More competitors jumping in
Samsung has already announced plans for AR glasses in 2026, so it’s starting to feel like the next big wearable race is heating up.
And Apple hasn’t even shown a prototype.
If the rumor is real, smart glasses might be the next major platform shift after the iPhone and Apple Watch. The fact that suppliers are investing millions before launch says a lot about how seriously the industry is taking it.
