Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) expressed confidence that its artificial intelligence (AI) glasses—the first eyewear-type device unveiled in the Galaxy series—will gain a competitive edge over market leader Meta by being lighter and more comfortable. Samsung Electronics has secured more than 200 patented technologies to reduce weight and enhance performance, and plans to use these to make a full-scale push into the premium glasses market, where big tech competition has begun.
Choi Jae-in, vice president of Samsung Electronics' extended reality (XR) development team, held a product briefing on the AI glasses "Intelligent Eyewear" at the Old Billingsgate exhibition hall in London, U.K., on the 23rd (local time). "Competitors including Meta also have glasses products, but their approach differs from Samsung Electronics," Choi said. "I think Samsung Electronics has more strengths in terms of making the product lighter and in the comfort of comfortable wear."
Samsung Electronics held "Galaxy Unpacked 2026" at the same venue on the 22nd (local time), displaying for the first time the actual Intelligent Eyewear developed in collaboration with fashion brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, and announced plans to launch it this autumn. While specific product specifications have not yet been disclosed, Choi indirectly emphasized that the glasses achieved superior levels compared to rival products such as the latest "Ray-Ban Meta" in core glasses performance, including weight. The 50-gram Ray-Ban Meta can be used for up to eight hours on a single charge. The Intelligent Eyewear lasts nine hours.
The secret behind the Intelligent Eyewear's ability to reduce weight relative to performance is synergy with the Galaxy hardware ecosystem. Unlike Meta's product, other Samsung Electronics products that users wear together, such as the Galaxy smartphone and watch, assist with AI tasks, minimizing the components the glasses themselves need to carry.
"The most important weight-reduction technology is 'split computing,'" Choi said. "For example, when the glasses recognize an image, the Galaxy smartphone connected to the device uses computing resources such as the graphics processing unit (GPU), neural processing unit (NPU), and memory to help process the AI task." He explained, "In a similar way, it can link with the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds to assist functions."
If an Intelligent Eyewear user wears a Galaxy Watch together, they can also use gesture functions. This is a function in which the watch detects several movements—such as tapping the thumb and index finger together twice—through changes in wrist muscles and executes the corresponding tasks. Screen controls not available on the Intelligent Eyewear can also be performed through the Galaxy Watch. The Galaxy Buds wireless earphones also help control audio functions.
"For next-generation glasses products, the frames will become thinner, which will create limitations even for touch controls," Choi said. "For that reason, we definitely intend to strengthen the gesture function (linked with the Galaxy Watch)." He added, "We began joint development with Google based on the concept that if we don't develop it through inter-device linkage, it is difficult to make it (as light as) actual eyeglasses. As the first major mobile brand to launch glasses, there is a lot we can do."
Samsung Electronics has secured more than 200 registered patent technologies during the development of the AI glasses, including weight-reduction technologies such as split computing. The "ultra-slim hinge" is a technology that makes the printed circuit board (PCB) thin and stable so that wires can be connected and current can flow even through the hinge linking the front of the glasses and the temples. It also secured separate patents for a dedicated frame structure that applies comfort at the facial contact area, left-right weight balance, and heat dissipation, as well as speakers that do not cause minor malfunctions even when exposed to sunscreen applied to the face.
Samsung Electronics has a strategy to gradually commercialize the patented technologies through next-generation products to gain a technological edge and lead the premium glasses market. "Considering the applied technology and finishing quality, (the price range) will have to be in the premium segment," Choi said. "In particular, we plan to target users in their 20s through collaboration with eyewear brands."
The AI glasses market has continued high growth. According to market research firm Omdia, global shipments surged 435% from the previous year last year, and are projected to increase 322% within a year to 8.7 million units this year.
