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Snap has officially announced the launch of its new augmented reality glasses, known as Specs, priced at $2,195. Customers can begin preordering the glasses today, with a $200 refundable deposit required. The company anticipates that the Specs will be shipped later this fall to consumers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
This marks a significant development for Snap, which first introduced its original Spectacles in 2016. Since then, the company has been working extensively on non-public versions of AR Spectacles. CEO Evan Spiegel previously indicated that consumer-ready AR glasses would be launched in 2026 and even transitioned the smart glasses division into its own business entity.
The Specs are designed as standalone devices without the need for an external battery pack, setting them apart from competitors like Apple’s Vision Pro. They come in two sizes: 47mm weighing 132 grams and 52mm weighing 136 grams, with optional removable prescription inserts. The design is bold and distinctive, aimed at making a statement in the smart glasses market, equipped with visible light and infrared cameras that activate a discrete LED indicator while recording.
Each lens is capable of displaying content, supported by Snap’s proprietary liquid crystal on silicon technology, offering a 51-degree field of view and the ability to show 16 million colors. Notably, the lenses can transition from clear to tinted in a mere ten seconds.
The glasses feature dual Snapdragon processors, which are not explicitly detailed but include one aimed at computer vision and another for running augmented reality applications. This setup promises rapid hand tracking and minimal latency, enhancing the user’s interaction with digital content.
Battery life is estimated at up to four hours per charge, catering to functionalities like audio playback, AI assistance, and Bluetooth notifications. Additionally, the Specs will come with a charging case capable of providing four extra charges, totaling around 20 hours of usage. Charging can be facilitated through a magnetic cable, which also allows content streaming from various devices to the Specs.
While the Specs show potential, they have yet to be tested for everyday usability. The competitive landscape has grown significantly, with a variety of smart glasses now available. Snap’s Specs will debut a year after Meta’s smart glasses, though Meta has not yet introduced AR glasses to the market.
Snap is moving forward with the launch of the Specs, which will be interesting to evaluate once they hit the market and consumers have the chance to experience them fully.
