The Galaxy XR headset excels in gaming and professional applications, but it is not designed for casual use. Instead, Samsung introduced new smart glasses at the Galaxy Unpacked event.
This innovation stems from a collaboration between Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm. The glasses operate on Android XR and are powered by a Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset. In contrast to the XR2+ Gen 2 chip found in the Galaxy XR, the AR1 chipset is specifically engineered for lightweight smart glasses.
Samsung Smart Glasses Designed by Gentle Monster
The glasses incorporate the Google Gemini AI assistant, tailored for wearables. Featuring a built-in camera, the assistant can capture images of your surroundings—such as a whiteboard—and organize them in your Notes app. This camera also allows for recording first-person videos or streaming live content during video calls.
Additionally, the glasses can summarize lengthy messages and vocalize important information. They provide real-time translation capabilities for travelers who may not know the local language.
These glasses also assist with navigation, offering real-time directions to chosen destinations and providing information about local attractions during sightseeing tours.
Samsung Smart Glasses Designed by Warby Parker
Control options for the glasses are versatile. Users can interact hands-free via voice commands, utilize touch-sensitive areas located on the glasses' temples, or connect with other devices for control.
However, these glasses do not feature a display; instead, they prioritize audio feedback. According to Samsung’s press release, the glasses aim to integrate AI seamlessly into users' lives without the need for initial interactions to begin with a screen. While these are identified as “AI glasses,” Samsung is simultaneously developing AR glasses that will incorporate displays.
For design, Samsung enlisted the expertise of Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Gentle Monster adopted a fashion-forward approach with a slim black frame featuring a straight upper rim and rounded lower edges, while Warby Parker opted for a brown hue suitable for everyday wear.
The Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip that powers the Samsung smart glasses“As agentic AI reshapes mobile experiences, the next step is to make those experiences more intuitive and responsive to each user’s context. Intelligent eyewear creates a new point of interaction, bringing more personalized AI assistance naturally into the moments that make up everyday life,” said Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer of the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics.
“Google and Samsung share a vision to infuse helpful and context-aware intelligence into daily life. Built on the Android XR platform, this intelligent eyewear merges world-class designs with Gemini's advanced assistance, naturally responding to your surroundings and providing all-day, hands-free help. We are eager to continue this momentum and soon bring this experience to users,” stated Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem at Google.
