Samsung reveals first details of its AI smart glasses to CNBC

In an exciting announcement, Samsung has unveiled initial details about its upcoming AI smart glasses, set to launch in 2026. This marks the South Korean tech giant’s first venture into the smart glasses market, a space currently dominated by Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses.

Key Features of Samsung’s AI Smart Glasses

During the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Jay Kim, executive vice president at Samsung’s mobile business, shared insights about the new device. The smart glasses will feature a built-in camera positioned at eye level, enabling users to capture images and videos effortlessly. Additionally, these glasses will connect to smartphones, allowing the mobile device to process information received from the camera.

Competition in the Smart Glasses Market

Currently, Meta holds a significant market share, with its Ray-Ban glasses accounting for 82% of global sales, according to Counterpoint Research. However, Samsung is not alone in its quest to capture a piece of this lucrative market. Other competitors, including Alibaba and Xreal, are also developing their own smart glasses, indicating a growing interest in augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Partnerships and Technological Advancements

Samsung has collaborated with chip designer Qualcomm and tech giant Google since 2023 to develop the operating system, semiconductors, and hardware for mixed-reality technology. Mixed reality combines elements of augmented and virtual reality, allowing digital images to be superimposed onto the real world. The first product from this partnership was the Galaxy XR headset, which launched last year and utilized Google’s Android “XR” operating system.

The Future of Smart Glasses

Executives from Qualcomm have expressed optimism about the potential of smart glasses. Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, stated that smart glasses represent the ultimate goal of their collaboration with Samsung. The compact nature of glasses makes them more appealing to consumers compared to bulkier XR headsets. Kim emphasized that the future of AI devices will likely include smart glasses, as they offer a unique way for users to interact with technology.

AI Integration and User Interaction

As advancements in AI, such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT, continue to evolve, device makers are exploring innovative ways for users to interact with these technologies. Samsung’s smart glasses may allow users to communicate with an AI assistant through voice commands, with the glasses’ camera serving as an input method. This integration aims to enhance user experience by providing relevant information based on where the user is looking.

Display Features and Industry Applications

While Kim did not confirm whether the smart glasses would include a built-in display, he mentioned that Samsung has other products, such as smartwatches and smartphones, that could serve as display options. The company aims to target industry applications for the smart glasses, with plans to introduce them to the market this year.

Conclusion

As Samsung prepares to enter the smart glasses market, the company is positioning itself to compete with established players like Meta. With a focus on AI integration, user interaction, and industry applications, Samsung’s smart glasses could potentially reshape how consumers and businesses use augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: The information provided in this article is based on the latest announcements and may be subject to change as Samsung continues its development process.