Snap Inc. has announced its intention to release a new, lightweight pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses in 2026, signaling the company’s ambition to develop a platform that could ultimately serve as a substitute for the traditional smartphone. This announcement was made by Snap’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Evan Spiegel, during his address at the Augmented World Exhibition in California.
At the event, Spiegel emphasised that the forthcoming device is designed to be “the most advanced personal computer in the world,” providing users with an integrated digital and physical experience. This development marks a significant step toward Snap’s broader vision of creating hands-free technology capable of eventually replacing the mobile phone as the central personal device.
While details regarding the precise release date and pricing of the new glasses remain scarce, Snap confirmed that the device would be smaller and lighter than any previous models. The upcoming AR glasses will operate on Snap’s proprietary operating system, further distinguishing them from earlier iterations.
One notable update is Snap’s decision to allow developers to incorporate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models into applications built for the smart glasses. This extends beyond the current limitation of using only OpenAI’s GPT models, enabling broader innovation and enhanced functionality for AR applications.
The company expressed a belief that computing is on the verge of a transformation, seamlessly merging digital experiences with everyday physical interactions. Snap views this shift as a natural progression in technology, powered by recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and augmented reality. These advances are paving the way for computing devices that are more intuitive, integrated, and human-centric.
Snap has a history of experimentation with smart eyewear, having introduced its first Spectacles in 2016. The original Spectacles, designed primarily for recording photos and videos, featured circular frames and a distinctly playful aesthetic. Despite their novelty, these early models did not include any AR features and were similar to other smart glasses, such as Meta’s Ray-Ban models.
Over the following years, Snap released several updates to the Spectacles line, but it was not until 2021 that the company shifted its focus towards augmented reality. This transition reflected a desire to bridge digital content with the physical environment, moving away from devices solely intended for social media content creation. The AR-enabled Spectacles introduced a new, bold design, opting for black, sharply angled rectangular frames that were more robust to accommodate new hardware requirements.
In September of the previous year, Snap launched its fifth-generation Spectacles, although this model was made available exclusively to developers. Those wishing to participate in the programme were required to pay a monthly fee, underscoring Snap’s commitment to building a robust ecosystem of applications ahead of a broader consumer launch.
Snap’s strategic pivot towards advanced smart glasses places it alongside other technology giants such as Meta, which is also striving to make smart eyewear a mainstream product. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, popular for their built-in cameras and speakers, currently lack AR features, but the company’s Orion prototype, revealed last year, showcases a more advanced approach. Orion glasses are capable of displaying messages, facilitating video calls, and streaming videos directly to the wearer’s field of vision.
The integration of augmented reality is a focal point not only for Snap and Meta but for other major players as well. Earlier in the year, Google announced a $150 million collaboration with Warby Parker to develop its own smart glasses, which is anticipated to debut next year. Apple, too, has shown interest in the AR sector with its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, although it has yet to introduce a more streamlined, glasses-style device.
Despite years of development, AR wearables have struggled to capture widespread consumer enthusiasm. Nevertheless, technology firms remain confident that AR glasses could eventually emerge as a mobile, hands-free computing solution capable of replacing smartphones. Should this technology achieve mainstream adoption, companies such as Snap are positioning themselves to lead the way, potentially reducing their reliance on platforms operated by larger competitors like Apple and Google.
