Google to debut AI smart glasses in 2026 amid stiff competition from Meta
There is already a race in Silicon Valley to create smart glasses that are sleek, lightweight, and fashionable enough to wear all day, everywhere you go.
Silicon Valley sees smart glasses as a big business opportunity to bring artificial intelligence to more form factors beyond smartphones and (Image credit: Google)
Google is gearing up to launch smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence in 2026, as the market for AI-driven consumer hardware begins to pick up, with companies like Meta gaining an upper hand. The announcement was made during an event earlier this week.
The Alphabet-owned company’s first wave of smart glasses will be developed in collaboration with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker. The upcoming smart glasses will not launch under Google’s own Pixel brand, which now offers everything from smartphones and earbuds to smartwatches. Google’s strategy appears to follow a similar path to its earlier collaboration with Samsung on the launch of the Galaxy XR mixed-reality headset.
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Google is approaching the AI smart glasses market with a long-term strategy, which is why it has outlined two different product paths. The first pair of glasses will be an audio-only, lightweight, screen-free device with built-in speakers, microphones, and cameras, similar to baseline Meta’s Ray-Ban AI glasses. These glasses will allow users to access Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, to ask questions and receive instant responses.
Google is also developing a second pair of smart glasses equipped with a built-in heads-up display that can show information such as navigation directions and language translations. The company said the first of these display-enabled glasses will arrive next year, though it did not specify the exact details.
The AI smart glasses market has begun to gain popularity, boosted by the surprise success of Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. Although still far from the fully augmented reality devices tech companies ultimately envision, these smart glasses perform useful everyday tasks, acting as practical digital assistants. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, built in collaboration with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, have become the benchmark, and other companies are following in their footsteps.
Since the launch of the second generation in October 2023, they have sold more than 2 million units. Sales tripled in Q2 2025 alone, contributing to Meta’s 22 per cent year-over-year revenue growth. Meta in September introduced Ray-Ban smart glasses with a built-in display for $799. However, the smart glasses segment remains niche, and sales are still only a fraction of what Apple generates from the iPhone.
Tech insiders and experts believe the next big trend in technology will be smart glasses that can be worn on the face and operated simply by speaking to them or looking through them, potentially replacing smartphones altogether. There is already a race in Silicon Valley to create smart glasses that are sleek, lightweight, and fashionable enough to wear all day, everywhere you go.
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Meta launched its own display glasses in September, which allows users to see features like messages and live captions through a small display that’s built into one of the device’s lenses. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
After Meta, Google wants to join the club, leveraging its software expertise and resources to make smart glasses the default way we interact with devices in the future. However, smart glasses are still far from reaching the level of maturity and advancement that smartphones have today, and current AI features aren’t yet very useful. Apple has yet to enter the market, though reports suggest the company may launch its first smart glasses, similar to Meta’s screen-free AI glasses in either 2026 or 2027.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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