Built on decades of expertise in mobile engineering, hardware design and product craftsmanship, intelligent eyewear combines true wearability with mobile AI experiences and seamless connectivity within the Galaxy ecosystem.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with James Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of XR R&D Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, to learn about the development of intelligent eyewear, the engineering behind its design and Samsung’s long-term vision for the AI glasses category.

Q. Why is Samsung introducing intelligent eyewear now and why does it believe AI glasses will become the next interface for mobile AI?

AI glasses will only become mainstream if people genuinely want to wear them every day. Achieving this level of wearability requires more than advanced AI — it also demands deep engineering expertise, mobile technologies and an understanding of how people use technology in their daily lives. Drawing on decades of mobile leadership, Samsung is well positioned to bring these elements together and help move the category forward.

AI glasses understand what users see, hear and experience around them and enable more natural, contextual and seamless interactions, bringing AI closer to the moments that matter in everyday life. Our goal is not to replace the mobile phone but to create AI glasses that help people use their phones less, while getting more value from the mobile experiences they rely on. Samsung is laying the foundation for this vision through the new intelligent eyewear, extending mobile AI beyond the screen.

Q. What are the biggest engineering priorities when developing AI glasses?

The journey began with Galaxy XR. Through our experience developing it, we learned how to design technology that people can comfortably wear on their faces. We applied those insights to intelligent eyewear, focusing every engineering decision on comfort, fit and everyday use.

Wearability isn’t simply a design challenge — it’s an engineering one. When it comes to eyewear, even a tenth of a millimeter matters. That is why we took a holistic approach, carefully considering weight, materials, thermal management and battery efficiency.

Designed to be slim and light, intelligent eyewear incorporates patented slim hinges, advanced thin-wall molding, lightweight materials and optimized hardware components. Its hinge structure prevents corrosion and withstands the demands of everyday wear, while the patented temple architecture improves structural rigidity. Thermal graphite material on the left side of the glasses also helps prevent heat generated by the AP (Application Processor) from transferring to the user’s face.

Because every face is different, we used computational design and worked closely with our eyewear partners to refine the fit across key contact points including the forehead, cheekbones and behind the ears. We also balanced the weight across both sides of the frame, so users can barely notice any difference.

Samsung has filed around 200 patent applications in this category, reflecting its long-term investment in intelligent eyewear. Ultimately, all that engineering is designed to disappear into the experience, making the glasses feel as natural as an ordinary pair.

Q. How did you ensure intelligent eyewear was resilient enough for everyday use?

Users expect Samsung-quality products, regardless of form factor. We applied the manufacturing expertise and rigorous verification standards developed over decades of Galaxy device innovation, while introducing additional testing tailored to intelligent eyewear.

Because it is worn directly on the face, intelligent eyewear had to meet the standards of both mobile devices and eyewear — and go beyond them. It underwent extensive durability, environmental and safety testing, including exposure to high temperatures, humidity, sunscreen, cosmetics and sweat, as well as folding and hinge expansion tests.

Despite the extensive engineering packed into its slim and lightweight design, intelligent eyewear delivers uncompromising performance, including strong battery life. Through hardware and software optimization, intelligent eyewear provides up to nine hours of active use on a single charge, even during demanding experiences such as Gemini and video recording. The charging case enables more than seven full recharges for extended multi-day use.²

Q. Why do you see intelligent eyewear as a new entry point for mobile AI?

Intelligent eyewear introduces a more natural and intuitive way to experience mobile AI. Its ability to understand what users see, hear and experience around them enables more personalized, contextual support in the moment.

With a high-quality camera, microphones and speakers integrated into its frame, intelligent eyewear responds through natural conversation, while reducing the need for users to stop and reach for a phone.

From real-time guidance and live translation to line-of-sight capture and context-aware assistance, these experiences are designed to help users access mobile AI while staying present in what they are doing.³

Q. How does intelligent eyewear fit within the broader Galaxy ecosystem?

Intelligent eyewear is designed to work as a companion device to Galaxy phones and other Galaxy wearables, extending mobile AI beyond the screen through more personalized experiences. Users can access apps and services they already rely on — from Samsung and Google apps to third-party content — through a natural, hands-free interface.

For example, they can start recording hands-free with intelligent eyewear, preview what they have captured on Now Bar and then access it in Galaxy Gallery on their phone.⁴ Through split computing, processing is distributed between intelligent eyewear and the connected Galaxy phone, helping optimize performance.

Intelligent eyewear also works with Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds. Users can manage the device directly from their wrist through the Galaxy Watch screen or with intuitive gestures.⁵ When Galaxy Buds are connected, they can switch audio without interrupting the experience.

Q. How did you integrate privacy and trust into the design of intelligent eyewear?

As AI becomes more personal and integrated into everyday life, trust becomes even more important. That’s why privacy was built into intelligent eyewear from the beginning, with safeguards designed to protect users and those around them.

A bystander-facing LED indicator and an inner LED clearly show when recording is active. Wear detection automatically disables recording when the glasses are removed, while a thwart detection feature disables recording if the external LED indicator is blocked.

Users can also manage privacy and personalization settings through connected Galaxy phones. Their audio, video and screen-sharing data are not used to train AI models.

Samsung will continue to enhance its privacy features to give users greater transparency and control.

Q. What does intelligent eyewear represent for Samsung’s long-term vision?

Samsung has a long history of helping define new product categories — including foldables — and setting the standards consumers have come to expect from them. Intelligent eyewear is the next step in its vision to make AI more wearable, personal and seamlessly integrated into everyday life, but it is still only the beginning. With this first generation, Samsung aims to establish a new best-in-class benchmark for the emerging category and continue advancing it with each generation.

1. Availability may vary depending on market. All functionalities, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, components, performance, availability and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice. ︎
2. Battery life varies by network environment, features and apps used, device settings, the number of times charged and many other factors. ︎
3. Feature availability may require a network connection, compatible Galaxy device or supported app. Translation and navigation-related experiences may vary by language, region, app, service provider and network environment. Contextual and history-based experiences may require user permission, supported apps and compatible services. ︎
4. Live visual sharing and recording features may vary by app, service, market and applicable laws or consent requirements. ︎
5. Gesture interactions are only provided through Galaxy Watch9. ︎

On July 22, Samsung Electronics hosted Galaxy Unpacked July 2026 at Old Billingsgate in London — unveiling its next-generation foldables with agentic AI.

Alongside Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, Samsung introduced Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 with more advanced health features, as well as intelligent eyewear. Through a user-centered Galaxy ecosystem powered by AI, the company outlined its vision for delivering meaningful everyday experiences.

Samsung Newsroom recaps key moments from Galaxy Unpacked July 2026.

What’s New:

• Designed for everyday use, the eyewear pairs a lightweight frame and slim profile with the durability and comfort needed for daily wear.
• Developed in collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the eyewear reflects each brand’s expertise in design, offering a range of frame styles, colors and lens options to suit different preferences and lifestyles.

“As agentic AI reshapes mobile experiences, the next step is to make those experiences more intuitive and responsive to each user’s context,” said Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer of the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Intelligent eyewear creates a new point of interaction, bringing more personalized AI assistance naturally into the moments that make up everyday life.”

Why It Matters

As AI enters an agentic era, the question is no longer only how intelligent it becomes, but where and how that intelligence meets people. Mobile phones remain at the center of connected experiences, while devices across the Galaxy ecosystem add context to different moments of daily life. Intelligent eyewear represents that next step, bringing AI closer to people as they move, work, communicate and explore, without requiring every interaction to begin with a screen.

Built for these moments, intelligent eyewear brings AI directly into the user’s line of sight, providing timely information and assistance while allowing them to stay engaged with the people, places and tasks around them. Clear controls and safeguards support responsible and secure use, while hands-free access delivers assistance naturally without requiring users to stop what they are doing or turn to another screen.

New Intelligent Eyewear Experience

Designed for everyday wear, the eyewear combines a lightweight frame, slim profile and battery performance, offering up to nine hours on a single charge with up to seven additional full charges from the charging case.¹ A built-in camera brings visual context into the AI experience, while Snapdragon^® AR1 Gen1² Platform supports the AI performance designed for real-time assistance, with touch interaction, connectivity, power efficiency and thermal management optimized within the eyewear’s compact frame.

As a hands-free extension of the Galaxy experience, the device lets users stay focused on the moment. Built in partnership with Google, it brings Gemini into a familiar wearable form factor, making interaction feel more natural, immediate and intuitive.

“Google and Samsung have a shared vision to bring helpful and context-aware intelligence into everyday life,” said Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google. “Built on the Android XR platform, the intelligent eyewear blends world-class designs with Gemini’s advanced assistance that naturally responds to what you see, delivering all-day, hands-free help. We’re excited to continue this momentum and bring this experience to people soon.”

Key experiences include:

• Staying in the moment: The device can help summarize long messages, read key information aloud, support live translation and allow users to control the experience with simple voice or gesture interactions through connected devices.³
• Capturing context: When prompted, the eyewear can capture what the user is seeing, such as a whiteboard or meeting discussion, organize key information in Notes and make it easier to review, share and follow-up on later.⁴
• Real-time interaction: Users can ask for guidance based on their location, such as finding a route, setting a destination or understanding what is around them, while live translation can support communication in another language.⁵
• Context-aware assistance: The device can support more useful follow-up interactions by understanding the user’s current context and connecting relevant information across tasks, helping users continue where they left off with less repetition.⁶
• Live visual sharing: Users can share what they are seeing during a call or record their own point of view, making communication more immediate while keeping their hands free.⁷

A More Personal Approach to Eyewear

Eyewear is both a functional product and a personal style statement. Samsung worked with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create intelligent eyewear that balances thoughtful design, comfort and everyday wearability. By combining Samsung’s hardware craftsmanship with each brand’s distinctive design approach, the collaboration offers a broader range of styles to suit different preferences, lifestyles and occasions.

At the Unpacked, Samsung introduced two distinct designs by: Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

The Gentle Monster edition features a slim frame in black, pairing a straight upper rim with softly rounded lower edges to create a refined and fashion-forward silhouette. The Warby Parker style features a subtly upswept brow line in a rich brown hue, creating a refined, versatile shape perfect for everyday settings.

Throughout the design process, Samsung worked closely with the eyewear partners to refine key fit points such as the forehead and ears. These insights helped shape the final designs with enhanced comfort and everyday wearability. Fit considerations were tailored to each model, alongside durability and reliable performance.

1. Battery life varies by network environment, features and apps used, device settings, the number of times charged and many other factors. ︎
2. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon and Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ︎
3. Feature availability may require a network connection, compatible Galaxy device or supported app. Gesture interactions are only provided through Watch9. ︎
4. Feature availability and supported workflows may vary. Samsung Notes integration and related actions may require compatible Samsung services and devices. ︎
5. Translation and navigation-related experiences may vary by language, region, app, service provider and network environment. ︎
6. Contextual and history-based experiences may require user permission, supported apps and compatible services. ︎
7. Live visual sharing and recording features may vary by app, service, market and applicable laws or consent requirements. ︎

Co-created with the eyewear partners, the intelligent eyewear combines breakthrough AI capabilities with comfort and style, merging Samsung’s leadership in hardware engineering and Google’s AI technology with premium eyewear design. Each eyewear brand brings a distinct design approach to the device. Renowned for their legacies in fashion eyewear, Gentle Monster presents styles with disruptive yet refined aesthetics, while Warby Parker showcases refined and timeless designs.

Built to understand the world alongside users in real time, the new intelligent eyewear provides everyday support while keeping users hands-free and heads-up. Users can access navigation assistance by simply asking Gemini with their voices, receive personalized suggestions such as a nearby coffee shop on their walking route, or even place an order for pickup. Users can also receive summarized notifications for important texts and add events to their calendars. Additional features include real-time translations with audio that matches the speaker’s voice, as well as the ability to translate text on menus or signs in the user’s line of sight. Working seamlessly within the Galaxy ecosystem, the device helps users easily manage everyday tasks or effortlessly capture photos, all without taking their phone out.

“This intelligent eyewear marks an important step in Samsung’s vision for AI,” said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this new AI form factor, we are further expanding the Galaxy device ecosystem, where each device is optimized to deliver unique AI experiences that best fit each form.”

“Intelligent eyewear represents a powerful step forward in our shared vision with Samsung to make AI more helpful and accessible in everyday life,” said Shahram Izadi, Vice President and GM of Android XR at Google. “Combining the best of Google’s AI and the Android ecosystem together with Samsung’s leadership in mobile hardware and Gentle Monster and Warby Parker’s premium design, we are helping users stay connected and fashionable in a more natural, hands-free way.”

“Intelligent eyewear should feel as emotionally expressive as it is technologically advanced,” said Hankook Kim, Founder and CEO of Gentle Monster. “Our vision was to merge fashion and technology in a way that feels bold, beautiful and human, bringing Gentle Monster’s disruptive design identity into a new era of intelligent eyewear with Samsung and Google.”

“Eyewear is deeply personal, which is why every detail matters when integrating advanced technology into frames people wear every day,” said Dave Gilboa, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Warby Parker. “Our Intelligent Eyewear is designed to feel intuitive, combining Warby Parker’s signature design with precision optics and exceptional comfort to help people stay focused on the moments in front of them.”

The first collections of intelligent eyewear are scheduled to launch this fall in select markets, with additional details to be announced in the coming months.

1. Availability may vary depending on market. All functionalities, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, components, performance, availability and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice. ︎