Exclusive: This is the Samsung Galaxy Glasses

This is the Samsung Galaxy Glasses, which the company plans to announce later this year as its second Android XR product. After announcing Galaxy XR late last year.

On the surface, these look a lot like the Meta Ray-Bans, or the Google Gemini Glasses (that were shown off at Google I/O last year), but these will run on the Android XR platform.

This particular pair is using the codename ‘Jinju’ and does not include a display. Samsung is working on a second pair of glasses that have a display, set for a 2027 launch date, which uses the codename ‘Haean’. This was originally the codename for the first pair of glasses, but was recently reassigned and is now being used for the version with a micro-LED display.

Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses will run on Android XR, with Gemini included

Similar to the Galaxy XR, these Galaxy Glasses will also run on the Android XR platform, which we’re expecting to hear more about at Google I/O next month and likely during The Android Show | I/O Edition. Google is also working on a pair of smart glasses, which they’ve demoed a few times at different events since last year’s Google I/O, where they confirmed they were working with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on these frames. Samsung also announced last October that it was working with both Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on its own frames.

This is a smart move, and it’s similar to what Meta did with their own smart glasses, where they teamed up with EssilorLuxitica, the parent company behind Ray-Ban and Oakley. Some of the most popular frames are now available as smart glasses. This is what helped Meta become a household name with smart glasses.

With Gemini built in, this would allow you to ask Gemini to translate signs, take photos, ask about the weather, get directions using Google Maps, and much more. There’s no doubt about it, Gemini is definitely a much better AI than what Meta has right now. So this is where Samsung is really going to have a leg up on the competition.

Samsung Galaxy Glasses Specs

It’s early, so a lot of these specs are not confirmed, but here’s what we know so far.

As mentioned already, this specific model will not have a display. That will be part of a newer, more expensive model, slated to launch in 2027.

When could the Samsung Galaxy Glasses launch?

With Unpacked coming up in July, where Samsung will announce the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 wide, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and the Galaxy Watch 9, it’s very possible that these glasses could make an appearance. It’s unlikely to be available right away. Likely a tease, with a later launch, similar to Galaxy XR last year.

This is going to be Samsung’s biggest wearable launch since the Galaxy Ring, which also debuted at its Summer Unpacked event with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It does have quite the uphill battle, however, as Meta has already sold over two million units of its smart glasses and has also debuted a display-equipped model.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy Glasses cost?

Recent rumors are pointing to this particular model costing between $379 and $499, with the display variant that’s launching in 2027 costing between $600 and $900. That would put these on par with Meta’s pricing. However, these prices are very likely to change, especially with how RAM, NAND storage, and now CPU components are increasing due to AI.

Samsung Galaxy Glasses will enter a very competitive market

After seeing how spectacularly XR headsets have failed, many tech companies are betting on smart glasses being the next big thing. Why? Because it’s something you can wear all day, every day. Meta has already proven this to be true. Whenever I go to different tech events, almost everyone wearing glasses is wearing a pair of Meta’s Ray-Ban or Oakley smart glasses. So Samsung and Google might have missed the boat already.

Meta, Google, XREAL, Rokid, and even Apple are launching or have launched smart glasses. Those are some heavy hitters for Samsung to compete with.

Meta’s major advantage here is its time in market, as well as its partnership with EssilorLuxitica (which was extended through 2034) has allowed it to really capture the market. Last year, EssilorLuxitica announced that it had sold 7 million pairs of smart glasses. That’s not a small number, and gives them a huge lead in the market. This has also forced other glass-makers to partner with tech companies, with the most recent one being Gucci.

Then there’s XREAL. A different form of glasses from what Samsung and Google plan to launch. These have displays, and at least their current models, rely on projecting the display of whatever you plug them into. I have, and use the XREAL 1S quite a bit, and absolutely love them. XREAL was one of the first brands to announce that they’d be partnering with Google on Android XR. But we don’t know a whole lot about XREAL Project Aura yet.

Google is also working on a pair of glasses, which they’ve called “Gemini Glasses” a few times, and haven’t really referenced Android XR, but they are most likely on that platform. The last demo I did with these glasses at MWC a couple of months ago, the UI is mostly Gemini, with a few Google apps like Google Maps and Google Photos. This was an early prototype, I was told, so that’s likely why they didn’t demo third-party apps.

Finally, we have Apple. Yes, Apple has been rumored to be preparing a pair of smart glasses as well. Tim Cook has reportedly called them his “next big thing”, though with him leaving the CEO role in September, they likely won’t launch before he heads off to his new role as executive chairman at Apple.

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