Samsung AI smart glasses entered the spotlight this week as the company shared early details about its first wearable in this category, marking a major step toward expanding its role in next generation AI devices. Jay Kim, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile business, offered the first public hints during Mobile World Congress, saying the device will launch later this year and will rely on both AI and smartphone integration to deliver new hands free experiences.
Kim explained that the AI smart glasses will include a built in camera positioned at eye level, allowing the device to capture what users see and send that information to the paired smartphone for processing. This approach gives Samsung more flexibility as it builds its first AI wearable device designed to work closely with its Galaxy ecosystem. Because the smartphone will handle the heavier computation, Samsung can keep the glasses light and more comfortable for extended use.
The announcement signals Samsung’s first major move into AI wearable devices, an area currently dominated by Meta’s RayBan glasses, which hold roughly 82% of the global market according to Counterpoint Research. Although Samsung is entering late, the company believes the growing interest in AR glasses and AI assistant glasses gives it room to challenge Meta’s lead. This renewed push also reflects increasing consumer curiosity about AI devices that offer more natural interaction beyond phones and laptops.
Since 2023, Samsung has collaborated with Qualcomm and Google to create mixed-reality hardware, software, and semiconductors. Their first project together, the Galaxy XR headset, came out last year and runs on Google’s Android XR platform for virtual and augmented reality. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon previously said that AI smart glasses were always the longterm goal, reinforcing how important this category is to future AI ecosystems.
The move comes at a time when companies believe consumers will shift toward devices that sit closer to the eyes and ears, enabling more intuitive interaction. Kim stated that while headsets remain relevant, smart glasses may appeal to broader audiences because they resemble everyday accessories. He noted that the industry is seeking the next major AI device, and glasses are a leading candidate due to their practicality and emerging AI features.
As more people use advanced AI systems like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, there is a higher demand for devices that let users interact quickly and naturally with digital assistants. Samsung AI smart glasses address this need by allowing users to speak directly to an AI model while the camera captures contextual information from their environment. The combination of voice input and visual understanding could unlock new ways to navigate tasks without holding a phone.
Kim emphasized that a key consideration is ensuring the glasses accurately detect users' gaze direction so the system can transmit this information to the phone for processing. This capability could enable future versions to identify objects, translate signs, facilitate navigation, or deliver other contextual information in real time. However, he declined to confirm whether the glasses will feature a built-in display, noting that Samsung already provides displays on its phones and wearables when necessary. Samsung intends to introduce something for the industry this year, reinforcing expectations for a 2026 launch window. Qualcomm’s CEO also said this week that Samsung AI smart glasses will be released this year, adding momentum to the market narrative around new AI wearable devices.
Amon expressed strong confidence in the category, stating that smart glasses are positioned close to our eyes, close to our ears, close to our mouth, which makes them well-suited for enhanced AI-driven experiences. He further noted that this shift parallels the early evolution of smartphones, when a limited app ecosystem rapidly expanded as developers introduced new tools. He expects AI assistant glasses to follow a similar path as new agent based workflows emerge across industries and daily life.
As U.S. companies invest heavily in AI wearables and mixed reality platforms, Samsung’s entry into the market arrives at a critical moment. North America remains one of the fastest growing regions for smart glasses adoption, and Samsung hopes its broad Galaxy ecosystem will help the new device gain traction among early adopters seeking alternatives to Meta’s offerings.
Samsung AI smart glasses represent the company’s latest step in its broader AI strategy, one that blends mobile devices, XR platforms, and emerging AI wearable technologies. With demand rising for more natural ways to interact with AI, Samsung believes this new product could become an essential piece of its future Galaxy lineup.
