Google’s push into smart glasses may well be the most exciting development in consumer tech this year. At Google I/O, the company and its partner Samsung offered the world its first proper look at a new generation of intelligent eyewear, set to arrive in select markets this fall. The reveal is expected to put serious pressure on Meta’s popular Ray-Ban glasses — and make Apple’s much-rumoured entry into the segment all the more consequential when it eventually arrives.
Two premium styles, developed in collaboration with eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, were showcased at the event. Elegant and understated, these frames work in tandem with a paired mobile phone, allowing wearers to access Gemini — Google’s AI assistant — through natural voice interaction, without ever reaching for their handset.
What can Samsung’s smart glasses actually do?
Samsung’s contribution to the Android XR ecosystem is a pair of glasses fitted with exterior cameras, a microphone, and a speaker. During a demonstration, the device connected to a user’s smartphone and, using Gemini, placed a coffee order online and added a calendar appointment — all hands-free.
The glasses can also sync with a smartwatch and share photos captured through the frames.Samsung elaborated further in an official statement, noting that additional features include real-time translation with audio matched to the original speaker’s voice, as well as the ability to translate text on menus or signage within the wearer’s line of sight. Operating seamlessly within the Galaxy ecosystem, the device is designed to help users manage everyday tasks and capture photos effortlessly, without the need to retrieve their phone.
XReal’s Project Aura: Display in the lens
Alongside Samsung’s announcement, XReal unveiled Project Aura — a pair of lightweight glasses that go one step further by incorporating a display directly into the lenses, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Though not demoed on stage during the Google I/O keynote, XReal confirmed that the product is built for the Android XR ecosystem and will combine best-in-class technology from both companies.
Why this matters for the wearables market
The Samsung glasses are poised to compete directly with Ray-Ban Meta, which similarly features an exterior camera, microphone, and speaker — but lacks any in-lens display. Project Aura is where that gap closes.
“This intelligent eyewear marks an important step in Samsung’s vision for AI,” said Jay Kim, executive vice-president and head of customer experience office, mobile experience (MX) business at Samsung Electronics. “With this new AI form factor, we are further expanding the Galaxy device ecosystem, where each device is optimised to deliver unique AI experiences that best fit each form.”
Shahram Izadi, vice-president and GM of Android XR at Google said: “Combining the best of Google’s AI and the Android ecosystem together with Samsung’s leadership in mobile hardware and Gentle Monster and Warby Parker’s premium design, we are helping users stay connected and fashionable in a more natural, hands-free way.”
Smart eyewear has long promised to be the next frontier in wearable technology. With Google, Samsung, and XReal now moving in concert, that frontier suddenly feels very close indeed.
“Google coming up with AI glasses is a major development for the broader XR and AI ecosystem. What makes it even more significant is that the Google XR platform has been jointly developed with Samsung and Qualcomm. This partnership creates a strong ecosystem advantage, especially as Samsung remains among the top two smartphone vendors globally with a massive installed base that can help accelerate adoption of these smart glasses. Samsung’s integration capabilities across both the glasses and smartphones are also likely to enable a much smoother and more seamless user experience,” Abhilash Kumar, lead research advisor (director) at SAG, told this newspaper.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on several frame styles and a unique camera design for its first smart glasses. A recent report mentions that the offering will be able to capture photos and videos, sync with a smartphone for editing and sharing, handle phone calls, listen to notifications, play music and enable hands-free interaction through a voice assistant.
Siri is expected to get a significant update with the upcoming iOS 27. When Apple enters a new product segment, it always offers clear advantages over what’s currently available. That has been the case with the iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Vision Pro. The company’s strategy may involve tight integration of the glasses with the iPhone and offering a higher-end build. Bloomberg hasn’t offered a timeline for the product.