Samsung and Apple: where are their smart glasses?

Meta dominates smart glasses, but two giants are preparing their response. Searches for “Samsung smart glasses” have more than doubled, and “Apple glasses” remains a popular search. Here is what we know so far.

Samsung: Galaxy Glasses with Google

Samsung confirmed with its early-2026 results that it would launch smart glasses this year. The project is being run with Google and Qualcomm, on Android XR, with the Gemini assistant. The design has been entrusted to the eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.

• First model: glasses without a display, with camera, microphones and speakers, along the lines of Ray-Ban Meta. Leaks mention a 12MP camera and a Qualcomm AR1 chip.
• Second model: a version with a display in the lens, expected later.
• Timeline: Samsung and Google have announced the first collections for autumn 2026, in selected countries. Prices and availability in Switzerland are still to be confirmed.

They will work with Android, and Google also indicates iPhone compatibility.

Apple: no glasses before 2027

Apple has announced nothing officially. According to Mark Gurman (Bloomberg), the most closely followed journalist on the subject, Apple is developing glasses without a display to begin with, with cameras, microphones, speakers and deep integration with Siri and the iPhone. Long expected at the end of 2026, they have reportedly been pushed back: the latest information points to a 2027 launch. Apple glasses with an augmented reality display are said to be further off still.

What this changes for you

• Competition will shake up the market: more choice, more styles and probably more aggressive prices.
• First generations often leave room for improvement: battery life, software, availability in Europe.
• Meta is several generations ahead: Ray-Ban Meta is on its second generation, with a full Ray-Ban and Oakley range.

Should you wait?

If you have an iPhone and are set on the Apple ecosystem, waiting is an option, but probably until 2027. If you want smart glasses right now, compatible with iPhone and Android, Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta are available today. To understand the families of glasses, read Smart glasses: what are they and how do they work?

Sources

• SamMobile, “Samsung reveals its AI smart glasses will be launched this year” – sammobile.com
• Droid Life, “Android XR launch fall 2026” – droid-life.com
• GSMArena, “Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses detailed” – gsmarena.com
• AppleInsider, “Apple Glasses won’t arrive until late 2027” – appleinsider.com
• Khaleej Times, “Apple smart glasses: rumoured 2027 release” – khaleejtimes.com