Oppenheimer: Apple Ecosystem Shielded from Meta’s AI Smart Glasses for 2-3 Years; UBS Reports iPhone 17 Demand Peaks Post-Launch

Today, Wall Street analysts are sharing their insights on Apple’s business outlook, touching on topics ranging from the demand for the newly launched iPhone 17 series to the impact of Meta’s recent AI smart glasses on Apple’s hardware ecosystem.

Oppenheimer Insights: Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses Require Further Development

Martin Yang, an analyst at Oppenheimer, recently experienced Meta’s Ray-Ban Display AI smart glasses during a hands-on demonstration in New York City. His evaluation revealed that while the device innovates within the realm of consumer wearables, it faces significant challenges such as discomfort from eye strain and issues with vision clarity.

Yang asserts that it is premature to categorize the Ray-Ban Display as a daily wearable comparable to the Apple Watch, or even as a credible competitor to smartphones. He expressed confidence that “Apple’s hardware ecosystem will remain intact against these new AI-enabled smart glasses for the next two to three years, ”thereby allowing Apple ample time to refine its own upcoming smart glass offerings.

For those unfamiliar, the Ray-Ban Display comes equipped with a display large enough for reading texts, watching short videos, navigating directions, and experiencing live translations. These glasses utilize a unique control interface embedded within Meta’s Neural Band, which applies electromyography (EMG) technology to interpret signals between the brain and hand, enabling app navigation through simple hand gestures.

Moreover, recent reports indicate that Apple has decided to pause development on a high-end version of its Vision Pro headset—which was anticipated to launch in 2027 under the codename N100—in favor of rolling out AI-powered smart glasses by 2026. These new glasses are projected to feature integrated cameras, microphones, and speakers, allowing for enhanced interaction through an upgraded version of Siri.

The anticipated Apple smart glasses will offer notable functionalities such as hands-free notifications, real-time AI support, and AI-driven translations. However, they are not expected to include an augmented reality display.

UBS Evidence Lab: iPhone 17 Demand Declining Post-Launch

On a different front, UBS Evidence Lab is monitoring the availability of the iPhone 17 across 30 global markets. Their findings suggest that the “aggregate iPhone 17 demand has surpassed the initial launch peak.”

UBS has observed that the peak interest in the standard iPhone 17 model has subsided, while “wait times for the ‘Air’ variant across major regions indicate a decline in demand for its slimmer design with less advanced specifications.”

In a similar vein, wait times for the iPhone 17 Pro model are decreasing, with a notable reduction in China, where wait times have dropped to 13 days—down from 14 days last year and 20 days just a week prior.

Additionally, Morgan Stanley projects that Apple could ship approximately 270 million iPhone units in 2026, under its most optimistic scenario. This growth is attributed to the planned release of six new iPhone models next year—including the iPhone 17e, iPhone 18 (base, Air, Pro, and Pro Max versions)—as well as the introduction of a foldable iPhone, alongside advancements in AI technology.

Source & Images