Another product that stole the show at this year’s Galaxy Unpacked was the smart glasses from Samsung and Google. Samsung introduced two different designs for its Android XR glasses, each with its own design philosophy and optical brand identity. This approach demonstrates Samsung’s efforts to blend technicality with more mature fashion elements, making XR technology more accessible as an everyday accessory.
During the press session, I had the opportunity to see and hold both variants, developed through Samsung’s collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Each frame carries a different design identity, but both clearly demonstrate Samsung’s efforts to blend technology with style that is suitable for everyday wear, something that Samsung also emphasized in their presentation.
Design and Finish
These smart glasses were previously only briefly shown at Google I/O, but the units on display this time are a more complete version and almost resemble the final product. Although they are not yet fully functional and I was not allowed to try out the XR software or features, this session still provided an opportunity to examine the physical aspects more closely. Honestly, as someone who had the opportunity to hold this real model, I was quite impressed with the build quality and finish.
In my observation, Gentle Monster features a bolder and more modern design through the use of thick frames and glossy finishes that are their fashion identity. The prominent style with a modern and slightly unusual shape clearly reflects the brand's DNA. The influence of Korean fashion is also evident, making these glasses look like a luxury fashion accessory and not just everyday glasses.
The thickness of this frame is not just a style choice, but an important space to house internal components such as the battery, circuit board, microphone and small camera module that are carefully arranged within the frame structure. The thicker front makes room for a micro camera placed above the lens, while other sensors are hidden under a black layer on the left side without affecting the overall design.
In addition to the camera and sensors, these glasses also house a small speaker that points directly towards the ear on the inside of the frame. This audio component allows users to hear voice commands or notifications without covering their ears, making the usage experience more natural. The presence of the speakers also explains why the sides of the frame are designed a little thicker, but when I held the entire frame, it still felt balanced and not heavy in one part.
In my brief view, the balance between the thickness of the frame and its weight shows that Gentle Monster emphasizes everyday comfort. The design also doesn't feel gimmicky or too futuristic because it still looks like real glasses with additional functions. Despite being thin and light, this frame still feels sturdy when I hold it. Samsung also emphasizes that these glasses go through the same quality assurance as mobile devices, so logically they should be able to withstand normal drops.
As an additional option, there is also a square-shaped frame variant with clear lenses that gives a more technical appearance but still maintains the modern touch that is typical of the brand. Also of interest is the Gentle Monster storage case that comes with a design that matches the character of its bold glass frame. The exterior feels sturdy, indicating that it is designed not only as a storage case but also as a style accessory.
On the inside, the storage space is also neatly arranged to accommodate the glasses and the charging module, while the entire case feels high quality when held. It's not too heavy, just enough to give it a premium feel. On the back, there's a USB-C port for charging purposes.
Unlike the Gentle Monster variant, Warby Parker's frames feature a minimalist style that's thin, light, and simple. The brand's identity is evident through classic lines, a matte finish, and a simple color palette, creating an overall look that's not overdone. Looking at its appearance, Warby Parker glasses really do look like regular everyday glasses without any aggressively experimental fashion elements.
In the Warby Parker model, there is also a small speaker that points directly at the ear, a built-in camera, additional sensors, subtle control buttons and a small slider on the inside of the frame. All of these components are integrated into a design that remains minimal without overly highlighting the technology. This approach makes the glasses feel more natural to wear as everyday glasses. Unlike Gentle Monster, Warby Parker does not come with a special storage case.
Brief Specifications
For specifications, these Samsung smart glasses use a Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip and a micro camera for first-person view recording and basic visual analysis. They also support Gemini AI features such as real-time translation, navigation, notification summaries and daily task management. Through full integration with the Galaxy ecosystem, users can interact with other Galaxy devices more seamlessly without having to touch the phone. In terms of durability, the battery can last up to 9 hours on a full charge, while the charging case provides up to seven additional charges for extended use.
Conclusion
I think that the collaboration between Google and Samsung in developing this new generation of smart glasses shows a more mature approach to integrating technology into everyday accessories. Unlike the usual bulky and complex augmented reality headsets, these smart glasses are designed to be a direct connection to the Galaxy smartphone they are paired with.
From a market perspective, the acceptance of smart glasses is currently more cautious. Although the Ray-Ban Meta has been on the market for a while, consumer confidence has been somewhat shaken after several security and privacy issues came to public attention, particularly regarding the recording feature. In this context, Samsung’s approach seems more realistic. They are not trying to make the smart glasses a replacement for phones, but rather position them as a complement that makes everyday tasks easier.
