Samsung Electronics and Google unveiled two artificial-intelligence-powered smart glasses on May 19 at Google I/O 2026 in Mountain View, Calif., marking a major step in their push to expand computing beyond smartphones into wearable devices.
The companies introduced the Android XR-based glasses during Google’s annual developer conference, revealing for the first time the product designs developed in partnership with eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
The new AI glasses are scheduled for release later this year, though neither company disclosed pricing or full technical specifications.
Two design variants were shown: one reflecting Gentle Monster’s bold, fashion-forward aesthetic, and another taking cues from Warby Parker’s more understated, everyday style.
Samsung and Google said the devices combine Samsung’s hardware engineering, Google’s AI software capabilities and the design expertise of premium eyewear partners to create lightweight glasses intended for extended daily wear.
Unlike augmented-reality headsets with built-in displays, the glasses rely on speakers, microphones and cameras, allowing users to interact with Google’s Gemini AI assistant through voice commands and real-world context.
The devices function primarily as companion hardware for Galaxy smartphones, enabling users to access AI features without taking their phones out of their pockets.
Users can request navigation, translation, messaging summaries, calendar updates and nearby recommendations using only voice input. The system is designed to execute tasks hands-free while continuously interpreting the user’s surroundings.
A key feature is real-time translation, including conversational speech translation that preserves tone and voice characteristics, as well as optical recognition of text such as menus and signage, which is then translated aloud.
The built-in camera allows users to capture what they are viewing instantly, reinforcing the product’s positioning as an always-available AI assistant integrated into daily life.
Kim Jung-hyun, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics’ mobile experience division, said the glasses represent “an important milestone” in expanding the company’s AI vision.
Shahram Izadi, vice president overseeing Android XR at Google, said the collaboration aims to make AI “more useful in everyday life” by combining Samsung’s hardware leadership with premium eyewear design.
The announcement comes amid intensifying competition in AI-powered wearable devices.
Meta Platforms said one day earlier it would launch its Ray-Ban Meta second-generation and Oakley Meta smart glasses in South Korea on May 25. The devices have drawn significant attention following the appointment of K-pop star Jennie of BLACKPINK as a global ambassador.
