Snap Inc. is making a significant comeback in the augmented reality (AR) market with its new pair of AR smart glasses, named Specs. For the first time in years, the company is gearing up to sell these innovative glasses to consumers, a move that was officially announced by CEO Evan Spiegel during the Augmented World Expo held in Long Beach, California. According to a Snap spokesperson, the Specs are expected to begin shipping in 2026, aligning with the company’s ambitious plans to reinvigorate its presence in the AR space.
The new Specs will incorporate many of the advanced augmented reality and artificial intelligence features found in Snap’s developer-focused smart glasses, known as the Spectacles 5. However, unlike their bulky predecessors, the Specs will be designed to be smaller and lighter, making them more discreet and comfortable for everyday wear. These glasses will boast see-through lenses that can display graphics overlaid on the real world, enhancing the user experience by seamlessly integrating virtual elements into their surroundings.
Moreover, the Specs will come equipped with an AI assistant powered by Snap’s proprietary technology, enabling users to process both audio and video effectively. This integration is expected to enrich the overall utility of the glasses, making them not just a novelty, but a practical device for daily use.
The announcement of the Specs glasses marks nearly a decade since Snap first ventured into the consumer smart glasses market with the launch of the original Spectacles in 2016. Despite being a pioneer in this field, the initial product struggled to gain traction among consumers. Now, Snap faces stiff competition from tech giants like Meta and Google, both of which have recently introduced their own AR products and are rapidly advancing in the AR glasses market.
Meta is set to unveil its upcoming glasses, codenamed “Hypernova,” which will feature a built-in screen, while Google has announced partnerships with companies such as Warby Parker and Samsung to develop its Android XR smart glasses. In this competitive landscape, Snap aims to leverage its SnapOS developer ecosystem, which has been under development for several years, to gain a competitive edge.
One of the key advantages of the Specs is their compatibility with the millions of AR experiences already available on Snapchat and Spectacles, known as Lenses. During his presentation, Spiegel demonstrated a selection of these lenses, including an innovative feature named “Super Travel,” which translates signs and menus for users in foreign countries. Another showcased application, “Cookmate,” helps users find recipes based on the ingredients they have on hand and provides step-by-step cooking instructions.
While many companies have experimented with AR use cases, delivering a pair of capable, affordable, and comfortable smart glasses for everyday consumers has proven to be a challenge. Snap is optimistic that the Specs will meet these criteria, although several key details remain undisclosed. Specifically, Snap has yet to announce the pricing, sales strategy, or the final design of the Specs.
In addition to the Specs announcement, Snap introduced several updates to enhance its SnapOS platform for developers. They can now create applications powered by multimodal AI models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. Furthermore, Snap unveiled a new “Depth Module API,” which will anchor AR graphics from large language models within three-dimensional spaces, paving the way for more sophisticated AR interactions.
Looking ahead, Snap has plans to collaborate with Niantic Spatial, the spin-off company from the creators of Pokémon Go, to develop AI-powered maps of the world. However, whether these advancements will culminate in a pair of smart glasses that consumers will eagerly embrace remains to be seen. Given Meta's initial success with Ray-Ban Meta, it is anticipated that Snap’s Specs may come at a premium price point, which could pose a challenge in transitioning AR glasses from a novelty item to a practical tool for everyday users.
