Snap has finally lifted the curtain on its long-awaited augmented reality smart glasses, 'Specs', marking a significant step in the company's decade-long pursuit of consumer-facing AR technology. Unveiled at a spatial AI convention, the new device carries a substantial price tag of $2,195, which converts to approximately £1,735 at current exchange rates. This positions Specs well above Meta's popular Ray-Ban smart glasses, which can start from around £275, though it remains considerably less expensive than Apple's Vision Pro, priced from approximately £2,760.
Pre-orders for Specs will commence on 16th June, requiring a refundable deposit of $200, or roughly £157. Shipments are anticipated to begin this autumn, with availability confirmed for the UK, alongside the US and France. This launch represents Snap's re-entry into the consumer smart glasses market, following its last consumer release in 2019, with more recent iterations having been exclusively for developers.
Visually, Specs resemble a somewhat bulkier pair of conventional glasses, a design choice attributed to housing all computing components directly within the device, eliminating the need for external tethers or pucks. Powered by two Snapdragon processors, the glasses boast up to four hours of continuous battery life, extendable to 20 hours with the accompanying charging case. Key functionalities include 'EyeConnect' for shared multiplayer games activated by eye contact, video playback with a 51-degree field of view, point-of-view recording, and internet browsing, alongside access to productivity apps and email.
A standout feature is the contextual AI, allowing users to point at an object and receive information about it, hinting at the growing importance of AI assistants in this competitive sector. Privacy has also been addressed, with a built-in LED light indicating when the device is recording, mirroring a feature seen in Meta's smart glasses. Users will also retain control over their data, including what is stored, synced, or deleted.
Specs will be available in two sizes: a 47mm model weighing 132 grams and a 52mm model at 136 grams. While noticeably heavier than the first-generation Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers (under 28 grams), they are considerably lighter than the Apple Vision Pro (750-800 grams). Despite the advanced features and sleek design, the premium price point suggests that Snap is initially targeting a niche audience of tech enthusiasts, developers, and creative studios, rather than the mass market.
The launch of Specs comes at a time when the smart glasses market is seeing increased competition, with Meta leading with its Ray-Ban series and Google also announcing new AI-powered glasses. The high cost of these devices underscores an ongoing challenge for the industry: translating consumer curiosity into sustained profitability, as widespread adoption beyond early adopters remains a hurdle.