Snap Inc Announces Specs AR Glasses to Compete with Meta and Apple

Snap Inc. is launching lightweight, immersive AR glasses called Specs in 2026 to compete with Meta and Apple. Specs will have see-through Lenses that enhance the physical world with digital experiences and enable shared games and experiences with friends. Snap released its fifth generation of Spectacles for developers in 2024, paving the way for the public launch of Specs. Meta is also gearing up to release an over $1,000 version of its smart glasses to challenge Apple's AR ambitions.

Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has announced its plans to release lightweight, immersive AR glasses called "Specs" in 2026. This product aims to compete with Meta and Apple in the emerging augmented reality (AR) glasses market. The new Specs will feature see-through Lenses that enhance the physical world with digital experiences and enable shared games and experiences with friends.

Snap has been working on AR glasses for over a decade, with its fifth generation of Spectacles released to developers in 2024. The upcoming Specs will be a more refined and stylized version, designed to appeal to consumers. The company has emphasized that the new glasses will not require a tether or phone, offering a more seamless user experience.

Meta, a major competitor in the AR glasses market, is also preparing to release its own smart glasses. However, Snap Inc. is aiming to get ahead of Meta by releasing its Specs in 2026, a year before Meta's expected release. Apple, another significant player, is still working on its AR glasses, which are expected to be more advanced but also more expensive.

Snap's CEO, Evan Spiegel, has expressed confidence in the company's AR glasses, stating that they will be "10 times better at AI" than current smartphones. He believes that the market for AR glasses is larger than the market for smart glasses without displays and that people are looking for more from their computing devices.

The release of Specs could position Snap as a first mover in the AR glasses market. However, the company faces stiff competition from well-resourced rivals like Meta and Apple. Snap's success will depend on its ability to deliver a product that offers a significant improvement over existing devices and meets the needs of consumers.

References:

[1] https://www.theverge.com/snapchat/684131/snap-specs-ar-glasses-2026-release
[2] https://www.roadtovr.com/snap-consumer-ar-glasses-spectacles-release-date/
[3] https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-announces-ar-spectacles-glasses-to-launch-2026/750344