Apple is reportedly preparing to enter the fast-evolving AI wearable market with a new device designed to be worn like a pin. If the project moves forward, it would place Apple in direct competition with OpenAI and other companies racing to build standalone AI hardware beyond smartphones.
Expected Release Timeline: As Soon as 2027
According to a report from The Information, Apple’s AI pin could launch as early as 2027.
The device is described as roughly the size of an AirTag, though slightly thicker. It would reportedly be a “thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum-and-glass shell.”
Physical Design and Controls
The report says the wearable would include:
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A single physical button along the edge
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A charging interface on the back, similar to the Apple Watch
Built-In Cameras and Audio Hardware
A key part of the reported design is its sensor and audio setup, suggesting Apple is aiming for an AI device that can understand a user’s environment in real time.
Dual Cameras for Capturing Surroundings
The AI pin would reportedly include two cameras on the front:
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One standard lens
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One wide-angle lens
These cameras are intended to capture photos and videos of what’s happening around the user.
Speaker and Multiple Microphones
On the audio side, the wearable is said to include:
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A built-in speaker
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Three microphones to pick up sound
Apple’s Broader Push Into Artificial Intelligence
Apple has been working to strengthen its presence in AI after rivals like Google and Microsoft moved aggressively to integrate generative AI into consumer products.
Apple recently announced it was partnering with Google to power Apple Intelligence and Siri using Google’s Gemini AI model. The company has also been working on a major AI overhaul of Siri.
Positioned to Compete With OpenAI’s Wearable
Apple is reportedly targeting a 2027 release to compete with OpenAI’s own AI wearable device, which is expected to launch later this year.
However, the report notes the AI pin is still in the “very early stages,” and Apple could cancel the product if it does not meet the company’s standards.
Why AI Pins Have Been Difficult to Get Right
AI pin wearables have proven challenging for companies trying to create a standalone device that delivers meaningful value without a phone.
The Humane Pin is one of the most high-profile examples of an AI wearable failure. Despite raising hundreds of millions of dollars, the company reportedly sold fewer than 10,000 units of the widely criticized device. Humane shut down less than a year after the Humane Pin launched.
What This Could Mean for Apple’s Product Roadmap
The report comes as Apple is also rumored to be preparing a foldable iPhone, potentially launching in September. If Apple introduces a foldable iPhone and then follows with an AI pin months later, it could mark a major stretch of new product experimentation.
Conclusion
Apple’s reported AI pin project remains early and could still be scrapped, but it signals growing interest in AI-first hardware. If Apple does release the wearable in 2027, it could become one of the biggest tests yet of whether AI pins can succeed where other companies have struggled.