Snap to launch consumer AR smart glasses in 2026

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reportedly announced plans Tuesday to release consumer-ready AR smart glasses, named Specs, at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California. According to a Snap spokesperson, the glasses are slated for release in 2026, TechCrunch reports.

The Specs will incorporate augmented reality and artificial intelligence functionalities similar to those in the Spectacles 5, Snap’s developer-focused smart glasses. These Specs will be smaller and lighter, designed for public use.

Equipped with see-through lenses, the Specs will project graphics onto the user’s field of vision. An AI assistant, powered by Snap technology, will process both audio and video input.

Snap’s initial foray into consumer smart glasses occurred in 2016 with the first Spectacles, which experienced low sales. Since then, the AR glasses market has become competitive, with companies like Meta and Google developing their own AR products.

Meta intends to launch glasses with a built-in screen, codenamed “Hypernova,” in 2025. Google has initiated partnerships with Warby Parker, Samsung, and others to create Android XR smart glasses.

Apple reportedly plans to release its smart glasses in 2026

Snap intends to leverage its SnapOS developer ecosystem to gain a competitive advantage. The company indicated that many of the augmented reality experiences, known as Lenses, already developed for Snapchat and Spectacles will be compatible with the new Specs.

Spiegel demonstrated various Lenses, including “Super Travel,” which translates foreign signage and menus, and “Cookmate,” which suggests recipes based on available ingredients and provides step-by-step cooking instructions.

Details regarding the Specs’ cost, sales channels, and design remain undisclosed by Snap.

Snap introduced developer updates to enhance the SnapOS platform. Developers now have the capability to create applications using multimodal AI models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. A “Depth Module API” will enable the anchoring of AR graphics from large language models in three-dimensional space.

Snap is partnering with Niantic Spatial, formerly of Pokémon Go, to develop AI-powered maps.

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