2026-06-17 14:05:38

Snap has launched a new generation of smart glasses, hoping to succeed where its earlier wearable efforts fell short.

The augmented reality glasses, called Specs, were unveiled at the Augmented World Expo in California and are due to begin shipping this autumn in the US, UK and France.

Priced at $2,195 (£1,995), the glasses sit between the premium end of the market occupied by Apple Vision Pro and the more affordable smart glasses offered by Meta.

A refundable $200 deposit is required to secure a pre-order.

The launch comes more than a decade after Snap’s original Spectacles project, which reportedly cost the company tens of millions of dollars after failing to gain mainstream traction.

The company’s CEO Evan Spiegel said the new device represented a major step forward.

He explained: “The glasses marked the beginning of a new era in computing.”

The wearable overlays digital elements onto the real world and allows users to interact with an integrated AI assistant capable of answering questions, providing directions and identifying objects.

Users can also watch videos, browse the internet, play augmented reality games and capture footage through the glasses.

Unlike Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley devices, Specs can function independently without being connected to a smartphone.

They also differ from Apple’s Vision Pro by avoiding the need for an external battery pack.

Snap said the glasses were designed to be “wearable for everyday life”, although they offer an average battery life of four hours. Their charging case extends total use to around 20 hours.

However, analysts questioned whether consumers would embrace the technology.

FDM CCS Insight market analyst Ben Hatton feels that the high price is likely to limit the product’s appeal.

He said: “Snap’s core audience of younger consumers rarely have this sort of money to spend on a single gadget.

“Despite the impressive features and experiences available through Specs, glasses with a 4-hour mixed-use battery life and bulky design are not going to replace the smartphone any time soon.”

Privacy concerns surrounding smart glasses also persist.

Following scrutiny of Meta’s devices, Spiegel stressed that trust remained essential.

He said: “Privacy has to be built in from the very beginning.

“Specs only work if people trust them.”

Snap said a visible recording light would activate when filming, while users would retain control over what data is stored, shared or deleted.

The company’s shares fell by around nine per cent following the announcement.

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