Google, Samsung Android XR smart glasses open preorders from $395
Preorders for the Gemini-powered glasses opened on 12 November, with sales starting on 10 December in the US and South Korea. Warby Parker frames start at $395 and Gentle Monster frames at $449.
- Preorders are open; official sales begin on 10 December in the US and South Korea
- Warby Parker frames start at $395, Gentle Monster at $449
- The glasses weigh about 41 grams and have a 12-megapixel camera and a nine-hour battery
Google and Samsung have opened preorders for their Intelligent Eyewear smart glasses, which run on the Android XR platform. Wired reported that this comes nearly two years after the platform was first announced. Official sales start on 10 December.
Samsung supplies the hardware expertise, while Google handles much of the software platform, according to Wired. Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are responsible for design and fit. Samsung said the lineup has 30 designs co-developed with the two brands.
Warby Parker frames start at $395 and come in three styles: Alden, Reid and Wren. Gentle Monster glasses start at $449 and come in six designs. Wired reported that the hardware is identical across both brands, and that Kering Eyewear has signed up to make Android XR glasses in future.
GSMArena and Samsung said the glasses will launch only in South Korea and the United States. They will be sold through select Samsung stores, Warby Parker retail and online channels in the US, and Gentle Monster's online store.
The glasses have cameras, microphones, speakers and access to Google Gemini, and use a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset. Wired reported that they weigh around 41 grams, 10 grams less than Meta's new Gen 3 glasses. Samsung claims the battery lasts up to 9 hours, and Wired said a charging case can recharge them up to seven times.
The 12-megapixel camera captures photos and 90-second videos at up to 3K resolution, with an LED that shows when it is recording. They are the first devices to support the "Hey Gemini" hotword, which works alongside "Hey Google". Juston Payne, Google's senior director of product management for XR, said: "We felt that these are a Gemini-forward device".
On privacy, Wired reported that Google is adding tamper detection, and the camera stops recording if the indicator light is blocked. Visuals shown to Gemini are not saved in Gemini History and will not be used to train AI models or target ads. The glasses redact the faces of people nearby before Gemini processes visual data. Payne said: "We learned through Glass that you can make people uncomfortable if you're not clearly communicating".
The glasses work with Google Pixel 7 or newer, Galaxy S or Z Fold phones running One UI 9.0 or higher, and iPhone 13 Pro or newer. Google will share more about wider phone support in 2027. Models with built-in lens displays have been previewed but have no release window.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 9 November that Meta was expanding AI age detection on Instagram, one of several recent AI product moves by large technology firms. Our coverage on 12 November also tracked the spread of AI into everyday settings, from banking to shops.
Why it matters for Pakistan
The glasses are sold only in the US and South Korea, so Pakistani buyers cannot get them through official channels for now. Pakistani readers who follow technology will see how Google is placing its Gemini assistant in wearable devices. The reported privacy features, such as face redaction and tamper detection, show how camera glasses are being designed to address concerns about recording. Google has said only that it will share more on phone support in 2027.
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