Snap AR Glasses: Release Date, Features & Price

Snap Announces New AR Smart Glasses: Specs

Snap is re-entering the augmented reality (AR) smart glasses market with a new device. For the first time in several years, the company intends to offer these glasses, named Specs, directly to consumers.

Launch Timeline and Specifications

According to CEO Evan Spiegel, announced at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California, the Specs will become available for purchase starting in 2026. A Snap representative confirmed this release timeframe to TechCrunch.

These new Specs will incorporate many of the AR and artificial intelligence features found in the developer-focused Spectacles 5. However, a key design goal is to create a more streamlined and lightweight product, making them less conspicuous for everyday wear.

Key Features of the Specs

The Specs will utilize see-through lenses, capable of projecting digital graphics onto the user’s view of the real world. An integrated AI assistant, leveraging Snap’s technology, will process both audio and visual input.

A Second Attempt at Consumer AR

This announcement marks Snap’s second attempt to market smart glasses to the general public. The initial Spectacles launch in 2016 did not achieve significant sales. The current landscape is considerably more competitive, with major players like Meta and Google also developing AR products.

Meta is reportedly preparing to release glasses featuring a built-in screen, internally referred to as “Hypernova,” in 2025. Google, meanwhile, has established partnerships with companies such as Warby Parker and Samsung to advance its Android XR smart glasses initiative.

Snap’s Competitive Advantage: SnapOS

Snap is banking on its established SnapOS developer ecosystem to differentiate itself. The company has invested heavily in this platform over the past few years.

Existing AR experiences created for Snapchat and Spectacles, known as Lenses, will be compatible with the new Specs. This provides a substantial library of content at launch.

Demonstrated Applications

During the presentation, Spiegel demonstrated several Lenses. “Super Travel” offers real-time translation of signs and menus for international travelers. “Cookmate” identifies recipes based on available ingredients and provides guided cooking instructions.

While these applications have been showcased in AR demonstrations for years, a challenge has been creating glasses that are simultaneously powerful, affordable, and comfortable for widespread consumer adoption. Snap believes Specs addresses these concerns.

Remaining Details

Snap has not yet disclosed the pricing of the Specs, the distribution strategy, or the final product design.

Developer Updates to SnapOS

Alongside the Specs announcement, Snap revealed updates to its SnapOS platform. Developers can now integrate AI models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind into their applications.

A new “Depth Module API” will allow AR graphics generated by large language models to be accurately anchored in three-dimensional space. Furthermore, Snap is collaborating with Niantic Spatial, the company originating from Pokémon Go, to develop AI-powered world maps.

The Road Ahead

The success of Specs remains uncertain. While Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses have shown initial promise, the Specs are anticipated to be more expensive. Snap will need to demonstrate the practical utility of AR glasses to convince consumers to embrace the technology.

Transforming AR glasses from a novelty item into an essential everyday device will be crucial for Snap’s success in this competitive market.