Snap Finally Unveils Its Long-Awaited AR Glasses: Specs, Price, and Features
Snap has finally unveiled its long-awaited consumer smart glasses, Specs. At $2,195, they are not cheap but offer unique features like contextual AI and EyeConnect multiplayer.
Admin User
⚔️ Specs Battle Simulator
Comparing rumored/leaked specs of SnapSpecs against the official Meta Ray-Bans
| Specification | Meta Ray-Bans (Official) | SnapSpecs (Rumored) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 - $400 for basic models; $600+ for special editions | $2,195 | Upgrade 🔥 |
| Battery Life | Varies by model; basic models average around 6-8 hours | Up to 4 hours of continuous use, extendable to 20 hours with charging case | Upgrade 🔥 |
| Processor | Snapdragon Wear 4100 or equivalent, depending on model | Two Snapdragon processors (details not disclosed) | Same |
| Field of View | Varies by model; average around 20-30 degrees | 51-degree field of view | Upgrade 🔥 |
| Weight | Varies by model; basic models average around 10-12 grams | 47 mm: 132 grams (approximately 4.6 ounces); 52 mm: 136 grams (4.7 ounces) | Upgrade 🔥 |
At a spatial AI convention in Long Beach on Tuesday, Snap finally unveiled its long-awaited consumer smart glasses, SnapSpecs. At $2,195, they certainly aren’t cheap. The specs are expected to hit the market for preorder starting June 16 with a $200 refundable deposit and are anticipated to ship in the U.S., the U.K., and France this fall.
Despite over a decade of development, Snap’s previous consumer release was back in 2019. The company spun off a new entity dedicated to bringing Specs to market. Now that we have a glimpse, what makes these glasses unique?
Visually, SnapSpecs look like normal glasses but with the added bulk of computing power built into them. Unlike some competitors who rely on external devices or pucks, all processing happens locally on the device itself. Specs feature two Snapdragon processors and offer up to four hours of continuous battery life, which can be extended to 20 hours with a charging case.
What can you do with SnapSpecs? For starters, there are games that support shared multiplayer sessions between users. Snap calls this feature “EyeConnect,” activated simply by making eye contact. You can watch videos (the display offers a 51-degree field of view and 16 million colors), record point-of-view footage, and even use the glasses to browse the internet or connect with productivity apps.
A standout feature is contextual AI. Simply look at an object and ask about it, and Specs can pull up relevant information — a clear glimpse of the competitive landscape in this category.
Hardware Details
- SnapSpecs come in two sizes: 47 mm (132 grams, or approximately 4.6 ounces) and 52 mm (136 grams, 4.7 ounces).
- The glasses are noticeably heavier than Meta’s Ray-Bans but lighter than Apple’s Vision Pro.
On privacy, Specs follow Meta’s lead with a built-in LED light that glows while the device is recording. Users can control what data is stored, synced, or deleted.
The initial demo at CES earlier this year showcased an earlier version of the glasses. While it was fun to play around with the apps and impressed by the contextual AI, the hardware felt heavy and could get hot after running for a while. Since then, Snap has slimmed down the hardware, making Specs both less obtrusive and more efficient.
The bigger question is whether SnapSpecs will be the product to turn around Snap’s struggling stock and declining user engagement in North America. The glasses are aimed first at tech enthusiasts, developers, and studios, but they come with a hefty price tag of $2,200.
The cumbersome price highlights an ongoing dilemma for the smart glasses industry: consumer interest has yet to translate into consistent profits. Even Meta, currently leading in this market, is losing money on its AR development division. Snap has faced challenges over the past few years with a wobbling stock and recent layoffs.
Will SnapSpecs be the product to usher in the next evolution in computing? We’ll have to wait and see.
