A clearer view of what matters

Competition in smart glasses is moving beyond technical specs and into the territory of “a design you actually want to wear every day.” Samsung Electronics and Google have announced that pre-orders for their artificial intelligence (AI) smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Gentle Monster and U.S.-based Warby Parker, will begin on November 12. According to a report by Suwon Ilbo, the official launch is expected to roll out gradually, starting in South Korea and the United States in mid-December.

This product combines Samsung’s hardware design and manufacturing capabilities, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 chipset, and Google’s Android XR platform with its generative AI service Gemini. However, the first model being introduced is not an augmented reality (AR) display glasses model that projects images onto the lenses. Instead, it uses a camera, microphone, and speakers to perceive the surroundings and deliver AI functions centered on voice interaction.

Users can issue voice commands while wearing the glasses or activate Gemini by tapping the frame. Reported features include foreign language translation, navigation, message checking, organizing voice memos, and taking photos. In other words, the goal is to let users get the information they need through their glasses instead of pulling out a smartphone and checking a screen. Uses such as translating menu boards or signs by looking at them were also introduced.

Leaving out a display component is meaningful in terms of both weight and comfort. According to reports, the glasses weigh around 41 grams and can last up to 9 hours on a single charge. Additional charging through a charging case is also supported. That said, actual battery life may vary depending on how the functions are used and the surrounding environment.

It is also noteworthy that Samsung and Google chose fashion eyewear brands as their market entry partners. Even if the technology is convenient, glasses are hard to wear for long periods in everyday life if they feel awkward or heavy. Gentle Monster and Warby Parker are expected to broaden the design options by handling frames with different styles. Gentle Monster also plans to hold a product unveiling and hands-on experience event in New York from November 13 to 23.

The market competition is already intense. Citing Counterpoint Research, reports say global AI glasses shipments in the first half of this year rose 263% from the same period last year, and display-free, voice-centric products accounted for 96% of that total. Meta Ray-Bans have led the segment with a 94% market share. Samsung and Google are highlighting the Android ecosystem and Gemini’s search and contextual awareness capabilities as their key differentiators.

Since specific pricing will be revealed around the pre-order period, price and real-world usability are likely to be major factors in the purchasing decision. All eyes are on whether AI glasses will establish themselves as a convenient companion to the smartphone, or add a new option in a market already led by Meta.