Samsung and Google are finally launching their Android XR smart glasses, as previously reported. The first collection pairs Samsung’s hardware prowess with designs from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker and will include 30 frame variations.
The Korean tech giant announced today that preorders have now opened, but you’ll have to check if your phone is on the compatibility list to get a pair.
The idea with this collection is that it looks like regular eyewear, not another piece of conspicuous tech strapped to your face. Gentle Monster has six different frame styles, each with a different lens treatment, whereas Warby Parker has three styles: Alden, Reid, and Wren.
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Both collections come in various colors and prescription lens options. The glasses weigh around 41 grams, which is relatively lightweight for all-day wear, Samsung says.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Gemini does the heavy lifting
The real attraction is more than just taking pictures without reaching for your phone. With Gemini in particular, you can identify landmarks, interpret unfamiliar objects, translate restaurant menus, and provide turn-by-turn directions through Google Maps. It can summarize meeting whiteboards and save the results to Samsung Notes.
You interact with Gemini through voice commands or by tapping the frames. The glasses can also make phone calls, read out notifications, and help with day-to-day tasks. You get a 12MP HDR camera for photos and video, two open-ear speakers, and four mics.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform is the engine behind the experience, with up to nine hours of battery life. The included charging case provides up to seven additional charges.
Warby Parker’s collection starts at $395, while Gentle Monster’s more premium frames start at $449 and go up to $489. That’s an affordable starting price compared to some rival smart glasses, but expect the final cost to be impacted by prescription options and individual frame choices.
Privacy gets a bit of attention, too
Of course, when you start putting cameras and microphones on people’s faces, it raises some questions. Samsung says there’s an external LED that should indicate when the camera is recording, with safeguards in place to prevent it from recording if someone covers the indicator or disables it. Gemini also automatically blurs faces of bystanders in visual requests. Google says it doesn’t use visuals captured for AI training or ad targeting.
There’s another catch, however: it’s not universally compatible. Supported devices are newer Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI 9 based on Android 17, Google Pixel 7 and later, and iPhone 13 Pro or later.
Preorders are now available through Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker ahead of its December 10 launch in the US and South Korea (Gentle Monster models only).
