- Meta is the only one of the big three selling AI glasses now. At Connect on September 23, 2026, it launched Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) from $449, Ray-Ban Meta Audio from $349 (shipped October 13) and Meta Adventurer from $249 (on sale October 23). Meta Ray-Ban Display costs from $799 in the US.
- Google said on May 19, 2026 that Android XR audio glasses built with Samsung, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are "coming later this fall." A Samsung official told The Korea Herald on October 1 they launch in November. Prices aren't announced.
- Apple hasn't announced glasses. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported on May 31 and July 26, 2026 that Apple's first glasses (code name N50) could be unveiled at WWDC in June 2027 and ship in late 2027, without a display.
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If you're searching for upcoming AI glasses, the answer depends on who makes them. Meta is already selling a full lineup, and its three newest pairs go on sale between September 23 and October 23, 2026. Google and Samsung have announced glasses for this fall, and a Samsung official says November. Snap's $2,195 Specs are due in fall 2026. Apple hasn't announced any glasses: everything about them comes from Bloomberg's reporting, which points to late 2027.
This explainer is based on official announcements and product pages from Meta, Google and Snap, a Samsung official's comments to The Korea Herald, and Bloomberg reporting as relayed by Road to VR and Engadget, checked October 20, 2026. For the AI hardware Apple has actually announced this fall, see our HomeView and HomePod mini 2 story.
The short version
- Shipping now (official): Meta's Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), Ray-Ban Meta Audio, Meta Ray-Ban Display and Oakley Meta glasses. Meta Adventurer goes on sale October 23.
- Announced, not yet on sale: Google and Samsung's Android XR audio glasses (Samsung official: November), Snap Specs (fall 2026), Meta VR Glasses (spring 2027), and Meta's Muse agent on its glasses (no date).
- Reported only: Apple's first glasses, code-named N50, possibly unveiled at WWDC 2027 and shipped late 2027, per Bloomberg.
When each pair of AI glasses arrives
- Sep 23, 2026Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) goes on sale (Meta)Confirmed
- Oct 13, 2026Ray-Ban Meta Audio goes on sale (Meta)Confirmed
- Oct 23, 2026Meta Adventurer goes on sale (Meta)Expected
- Nov 2026Android XR audio glasses from Google and Samsung: "later this fall" (Google); November, per a Samsung officialReported
- Fall 2026Snap Specs expected to ship in the US, UK and France; no ship date yet (Snap)Expected
- Spring 2027Meta VR Glasses arrive (Meta)Expected
- Jun 2027Apple's N50 glasses may be unveiled at WWDC (Bloomberg)Reported
- Late 2027Apple's N50 glasses may go on sale (Bloomberg)Reported
- Confirmed
- Reported
- Expected
Which AI glasses can you buy right now?
Only Meta's, among the big platform companies. At Connect on September 23, 2026, Meta added three products to a lineup that already included Meta Ray-Ban Display and the Oakley Meta models:
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3): "available today, with prices starting at $449," Meta said on September 23. New Aviator and Zena frames and an action button. Engadget reported nine hours of use and a 12MP camera with 3K video.
- Ray-Ban Meta Audio: Meta's first glasses without a camera. Pre-orders opened September 23 "starting at $349 USD," and they went on sale October 13. Meta says they weigh 43 grams and last up to 12 hours on a charge.
- Meta Adventurer: the first style in a new Meta-branded line, "starting at $249 USD" with a plug-in case, "on sale October 23 in all countries where Meta Glasses are sold." Kylie Jenner and LISA editions start at $399.
- Meta Ray-Ban Display: the model with a small in-lens display, controlled by the Meta Neural Band wristband. Meta's US store lists it "from $799." On September 23 it went on sale in the UK and Canada, with pre-orders in France, Italy and Germany for availability on October 13. Engadget reported prices of £749, C$1,149 and €899.
Counterpoint Research estimates that Meta shipped about 94% of the world's AI glasses in the first half of 2026, MacRumors reported on September 22. That's an analyst estimate, not a Meta figure.
What's announced but not out yet?
Google and Samsung (Android XR). At Google I/O on May 19, 2026, Google said "audio glasses are launching first, coming later this fall." Samsung builds the hardware, Google supplies Gemini and Android XR, and Warby Parker and Gentle Monster design the frames. Google says the glasses "pair with both Android and iOS phones," and that you reach Gemini by saying "Hey Google" or tapping the frame. Google also previewed display glasses but gave no date for them.
On October 1, an unnamed Samsung official told The Korea Herald that "Samsung Electronics will launch its first artificial intelligence glasses in November." The Herald says they have no display but do have a camera and microphones, and that "pricing has yet to be announced." The November month comes from that official, not a formal Samsung launch announcement. For what Gemini itself can do today, see how to use Gemini 4 Argon.
Snap Specs. Snap announced Specs at AWE on June 16, 2026: "available for pre-order at SPECS.COM for $2,195, with a $200 refundable deposit," and "expected to ship this fall in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France." Unlike the others here, Specs are full augmented reality glasses with see-through displays. On September 16, Snap repeated the $2,195 price and said "shipping is expected to begin later this fall" in the same three countries; it has offered in-person demos at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles since October 1. Snap hadn't announced a ship date by October 20.
Meta, next. Meta's VR Glasses cost $1,299.99 and arrive in spring 2027, Meta says. They're a lightweight VR headset with a 5K display rather than everyday glasses; Engadget reported they connect to a tethered compute puck. Meta also said it is "bringing Muse, a personal AI agent, to our AI glasses," without a date. Our Muse Spark explainer covers what Muse does on phones today.
What is Apple reported to be planning?
Apple hasn't announced or confirmed smart glasses. What's known comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg:
- May 31, 2026 (Power On newsletter): Apple's glasses, code-named N50, are expected toward the end of 2027. That's later than Gurman's earlier forecast of an unveiling by the end of 2026 and shipping in early 2027, Engadget reported. Apple reportedly plans four frame styles.
- July 26, 2026 (Power On): Apple may unveil the glasses at WWDC in June 2027, with sales by the end of 2027, Road to VR reported. The first model reportedly has no display and uses cameras, speakers and microphones for photos, calls, music and Siri. Gurman says the delay was partly about how to explain the glasses' privacy protections.
MacRumors noted on September 22 that more advanced Apple AR glasses aren't expected until 2029 at the earliest. Treat all of this as reporting about plans that can change. Gurman's own 2026 timeline already slipped once. Apple's hardware push is also the backdrop to its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, which is building consumer devices of its own and, Sam Altman says, a humanoid robot.
The AI glasses tracker
| Company | Product | Status | Price (US) | Date | Display | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meta | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) | Shipping | From $449 | On sale Sep 23, 2026 | No | Meta, Sep 23 |
| Meta | Ray-Ban Meta Audio | Shipping | From $349 | On sale Oct 13, 2026 | No (no camera) | Meta, Sep 23 and Oct 13 |
| Meta | Meta Adventurer | Announced | From $249 | On sale Oct 23, 2026 | No | Meta, Sep 23 |
| Meta | Meta Ray-Ban Display | Shipping | From $799 | US since Connect 2025; UK, Canada Sep 23; FR, IT, DE Oct 13, 2026 | Yes | Meta store and Meta, Sep 23 |
| Meta | Meta VR Glasses | Announced | $1,299.99 | Spring 2027 | Yes (VR) | Meta, Sep 23 |
| Google and Samsung | Android XR audio glasses | Announced | Not announced | "Later this fall" (Google); November (Samsung official) | No | Google, May 19; Korea Herald, Oct 1 |
| Google and partners | Android XR display glasses | Previewed | Not announced | No date | Yes | Google, May 19 |
| Snap | Specs | Pre-order | $2,195 | "This fall" | Yes (AR) | Snap, Jun 16 |
| Apple | N50 glasses | Reported | Not reported | Unveil WWDC Jun 2027, ship late 2027 (reported) | No (reported) | Bloomberg, May 31 and Jul 26 |
Table 1Of these companies, only Meta has AI glasses on sale today; Apple's entry is Bloomberg reporting, not an announcement. Sources: as listed in each row.
Last verified: October 20, 2026
The same data is in data/H11-ai-glasses-tracker.csv.
What's the difference between audio, camera and display glasses?
There are three kinds of AI glasses on this list, and they cost very different amounts:
- Audio glasses have open-ear speakers and microphones so you can talk to an assistant. Ray-Ban Meta Audio has no camera, so the assistant can't see what you see.
- Camera glasses add a camera, so you can take photos and ask about what's in front of you. Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), Meta Adventurer and, per The Korea Herald, Samsung's first glasses are in this group. So is Apple's reported first model.
- Display glasses add a screen in the lens for text, directions or apps. Meta Ray-Ban Display shows a small heads-up display. Snap Specs overlay full AR graphics.
According to Counterpoint's estimate as reported by MacRumors, models without displays made up 96% of AI glasses shipments in the first half of 2026.
What's confirmed, reported and uncertain
- Confirmed (official): Meta's lineup, prices and dates; Google's "later this fall" timing for audio glasses and iPhone compatibility; Snap's price, deposit, markets and fall target; Meta's VR Glasses price and spring 2027 timing.
- Reported: Samsung's November launch (an unnamed official, The Korea Herald, October 1); everything about Apple's glasses (Bloomberg, May 31 and July 26, via Engadget and Road to VR); market share (Counterpoint via MacRumors).
- Uncertain: Google and Samsung's price and exact date, Google's display glasses timing, Snap's ship date, when Muse reaches Meta's glasses, and whether Apple will hold to a 2027 schedule.
About this storyBased on the sources linked below. Editorial standards
