When the conversation turns to smart glasses, names like Meta and Google have long dominated the spotlight. Now, Samsung appears ready to step onto that stage. The tech giant is reportedly preparing to unveil its first pair of smart glasses—likely to be called the Galaxy Glasses. If the reports hold true, Samsung could join the race as early as 2026.
Ahead of any official announcement, an icon of the device has been spotted in One UI 8.5 as well as the unreleased One UI 9. It appears in the Bluetooth device list alongside paired accessories like earbuds and smartwatches. While the icon does not reveal much about the design, its presence suggests that Samsung has begun laying the software groundwork for the device. Earlier reports indicate that the Galaxy Glasses could offer functionality similar to Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. The company is also reportedly developing another pair of smart glasses slated for 2027, which could offer more advanced mixed reality capabilities.
However, all these are speculations, and Samsung officially hasn’t confirmed or revealed any information regarding Galaxy Glasses, including its launch date.
Apple in the smart glasses race
Samsung is not alone in the smart glasses race; there are several other major players, including Apple, that are also working to develop similar devices. The Cupertino-based tech giant is reportedly in the final stages of testing its first smart glasses. The upcoming device is expected to focus on a blend of style and functionality, with multiple frame designs and premium materials aimed at making it suitable for everyday use. Instead of relying on built-in processing power, the glasses are likely to depend on the iPhone for performance, enabling integration with the broader Apple ecosystem. Features such as voice-based control via Siri, built-in cameras, and possible augmented reality capabilities are also anticipated.
Where is Google? In the smart glass race
Google once had a presence in the smart glass space till it discontinued the Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 in March 2023 due to multiple reasons. One of them is its high price. Now the tech giant is partnering with iconic fashion brand Gucci to develop its upcoming Android XR-based smart glass.
This partnership is likely to bring Google into direct competition with Meta. The Mark Zuckerberg-led company already has a presence in the smart glasses segment and is known to partner with Ray-Ban and Oakley for its devices. Meanwhile, Gucci CEO Luca de Meo has stated that the Gucci and Google smart glasses are unlikely to arrive before 2027, according to Reuters.
