Samsung has announced a release date for its first smart glasses. The model, called Intelligent Eyewear, goes on sale in the US on 10 December, and pre-orders opened on 12 November. The glasses were built with Google, Qualcomm and two eyewear brands, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Gemini works as the built-in assistant. There is no display in the lenses, so anything the glasses want to tell you comes through the built-in speakers.
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What Samsung has announced
The glasses were first shown at the summer Unpacked event, and the company has now revealed pricing, specifications and sales details. The main idea is that smart glasses should first and foremost remain ordinary glasses. That is why Samsung did not create its own design and handed the frames to two brands with a recognisable style.
There are 30 versions in total. Gentle Monster offers 16 variations based on six frame shapes, and Warby Parker offers 14 variations based on three shapes. Both collections come in optical and sunglass versions, and according to tech-ish the frames can be ordered with prescription lenses from the start.
Pricing and where they are sold
The Warby Parker version starts at $395, and the Gentle Monster version costs from $449 to $489 depending on the model. The glasses are sold through the websites and stores of the eyewear brands themselves. From 10 December you will be able to try them on in selected Samsung stores in the US. Samsung’s press release only mentions the US, but tech-ish and Geeky Gadgets report that the Gentle Monster collection will also launch in South Korea. The company has not yet said anything about sales in the UK or the rest of Europe.
Specifications
According to Samsung’s official spec sheet, the glasses are built like this:
- Camera: 12 MP with HDR, 3:4 portrait photos, and video in 3K at 30 frames per second or in 2K.
- Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, with 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
- Battery life: up to 9 hours on a single charge and up to 72 hours with the charging case. Samsung notes that this is a mixed-use scenario.
- Weight: about 41 grams, ranging from 39.6 to 43.9 grams depending on the frame, not counting prescription lenses.
- Protection: IPX4, meaning splash resistance.
- Audio and connectivity: two open speakers, four microphones, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4.
Some of the processing is handed off to a connected smartphone. Samsung calls this distributed computing: it keeps the frame weight within the range of ordinary glasses and avoids putting a large battery in the arms.
Which phones they work with
The glasses are not tied to Galaxy alone. Samsung lists compatibility with Galaxy S, Galaxy S FE, the foldable Z Fold, Z Flip and Fold Ultra running One UI 9.0 or later, Google Pixel 7 and newer with the September Android 17 update, and iPhone 13 and newer with at least 6 GB of memory and iOS 26.6 or later. The Bixby voice assistant is only available with Galaxy phones. Gemini needs an internet connection and a Google account to work.
What Gemini does in the glasses
The scenarios Samsung shows revolve around the camera and voice. You can ask what is in front of you and carry on the conversation with follow-up questions. The glasses translate restaurant menus, guide you along a Google Maps route with spoken directions, and turn a photo of a whiteboard after a meeting into a short summary in Samsung Notes. Another feature groups notifications from your phone and reads out only the important ones.
Privacy
This is arguably the most carefully thought-out part of the announcement. There is a visible LED on the outside of the frame that lights up whenever the camera is working. If the indicator is covered or faulty, recording is blocked. The camera switches off when the glasses are taken off your face. According to Samsung, the faces of bystanders are blurred before Gemini answers a question about what the wearer is looking at. Gemini Live mode filters out the voices of people nearby. The glasses can only be used from the age of 18, and age must be confirmed on activation.
What this means for buyers
The market for smart glasses without a screen is going mainstream: after Meta, Samsung and Google have joined it, which means apps and features for such devices will develop faster. But for buyers in the UK and Europe, the new model is still news rather than something you can buy. There are no official sales outside the US, and glasses bought through intermediaries may not get a warranty, and some features depend on region and account.
If the format itself interests you, you can try it for far less. AliExpress sells plenty of glasses with a camera and speakers, as well as simple audio glasses that replace headphones. They cannot match Samsung on camera quality, Gemini integration or privacy safeguards. The specifications in the titles of such products are written by the seller, so big numbers like 8K should be taken with caution, and it is worth checking real photos and videos in the reviews. One more point: when you record with glasses, it is your responsibility not to violate the privacy of those around you.
What to buy instead right now
Smart glasses with a camera and 4K recording
The best-selling model in this category. The seller claims an 8 MP camera, 4K video recording, translation in more than 150 languages, a ChatGPT-based assistant, Wi-Fi, and calls and music over Bluetooth. In terms of features this is closest to Samsung’s concept, although the shooting quality of a frame like this is naturally more modest. It is currently listed at £41.32, down from £94.99.
Price on 15 November: £41.32
Sold: 3553+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Lenovo AI smart glasses with an 8 MP camera
A Lenovo-branded option with a similar feature set: an 8 MP camera, 4K video recording, translation, calls and call recording, and music. They come as sunglasses, so they suit indoor use less well than an optical frame. The price is £36.20.
Price on 15 November: £36.20
Sold: 2122+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.7%
View on AliExpress
Lenovo smart glasses with Bluetooth and translation
This model is a similar price on the listing, at £36.20. The title mentions a voice assistant, a translation function, touch controls, remote control and recording. The seller also writes about a camera and 8K, but at this price those numbers deserve some scepticism, so read the reviews with photos first.
Price on 15 November: £36.20
Sold: 2 122+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.7%
View on AliExpress
LAXASFIT audio glasses
The cheapest way to find out whether you like listening to music and taking calls through a frame, at £4.79. There is no camera here: these are sunglasses with stereo sound, calls, a voice assistant and blue light protection. A camera control button lets you take photos with your phone remotely.
Price on 15 November: £4.79
Sold: 1003+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
If you are set on the Samsung, it makes sense to follow news about a European launch: the company has not yet given dates or prices in pounds or euros. In the meantime, the AliExpress models are a good way to find out for a small outlay whether smart glasses will fit into your everyday life.
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