TLDR
- Google will launch its first AI-powered glasses in 2026, partnering with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker on hardware design.
- The company plans two versions: audio-only glasses with Gemini AI assistant and glasses with an in-lens display showing navigation and translations.
- Google is re-entering the smart glasses market after its Google Glass product failed in 2015, just seven months after UK release.
- Meta leads the AI wearables space with Ray-Ban Meta glasses selling two million pairs as of February 2025.
- Sales of AI glasses grew over 250% in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, according to Counterpoint Research.
Google announced Monday it will launch AI-powered glasses in 2026. The Alphabet-owned company is taking another shot at the smart glasses market after its Google Glass product flopped a decade ago.
The tech giant revealed plans for two different versions. One will be audio-only glasses that let users talk to the Gemini AI assistant. The other will feature an in-lens display showing information like directions and language translations.
JUST IN: Google unveiled its smart glasses project with XREAL, called Project Aura.
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ā¢ā¦ pic.twitter.com/TL3nDkquV7— Ritwik Pavan (@ritwikpavan) December 9, 2025
Google is working with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker on hardware design. The company committed $150 million to Warby Parker in May as part of the partnership.
Warby Parker confirmed in a Monday filing that its first Google-powered glasses will arrive in 2026. Google didn’t specify which style will launch first.
The glasses will run on Android XR, Google’s operating system for headsets. Co-founder Sergey Brin said in May that the company learned from past mistakes.
Competing in a Growing Market
Meta dominates the AI wearables space right now. The company’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses surprised everyone with their success.
Meta sold two million pairs as of February 2025. The glasses were designed with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica and include the Meta AI assistant.
Meta released display glasses in September. Users can see messages, photos, and live captions through a small display in one lens.
Counterpoint Research reports AI glasses sales jumped over 250% in the first half of 2025. The growth came from demand for Meta’s devices and new products from smaller brands.
Learning from Google Glass
Google Glass launched in 2013 with high expectations. The product featured a bulky screen above the right eye and a camera in the frame.
The device sparked privacy concerns and questions about style. Google pulled it from the market in 2015, less than seven months after UK release.
A revamped Google Glass Enterprise version appeared in 2017 but was retired in 2023. Technology analyst Paolo Pescatore says Google must avoid repeating those mistakes.
“The move was ahead of its time, poorly conceived and executed,” Pescatore told the BBC. He believes the timing is better now thanks to Gemini’s success.
Brin pointed to two main problems with the original Glass. AI wasn’t advanced enough at the time. Google also lacked supply chain knowledge, which led to expensive prices.
“Now, in the AI world, the things these glasses can do to help you out without constantly distracting you ā that capability is much higher,” Brin said.
Google also announced software updates Monday for the Galaxy XR headset. Users will be able to link it to Windows PCs. A new travel mode will let people use the device on planes and in cars.
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