Kristina Roberts
Snap, the company behind Snapchat, is gearing up to launch its first-ever smart glasses for regular users in 2026. These glasses, called Specs, will be lightweight and packed with augmented reality (AR) features. This move puts Snap in direct competition with Meta, which has already made waves with its own smart glasses.
For years, Snap has been known for Snapchat, its fun messaging app with funny filters and lenses. But now, the company is focusing more on AR technology, which lets users add digital effects to real-world views through a camera or special lenses. Snap has been working on AR glasses for over a decade, spending more than $3 billion on research and development.
At the Augmented World Expo 2025, Snap’s CEO Evan Spiegel shared the company’s vision. “Before Snapchat had chat, we were building glasses,” he said, highlighting how long they’ve been working on this idea. Back in September, Snap released its fifth version of Spectacles, but those were only for developers. The new Specs, however, will be available to everyone, marking a big step forward for the company.
Meta, Snap’s bigger rival, has already found success with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, made in partnership with EssilorLuxottica. These glasses have become popular, pushing other tech giants like Google to consider similar products. Meta keeps improving its glasses with new AI features to attract more buyers. Now, Snap is entering the race, hoping its Specs will stand out in the growing wearable tech market.
Snap is also teaming up with Niantic Spatial, a company known for AR and geospatial technology, to improve Lens Studio. Lens Studio is a tool that lets creators design and share AR effects for Snapchat. With this partnership, Snap aims to make its Specs even more interactive and fun for users.
The digital ad market has been unpredictable lately due to changes in U.S. trade policies. By launching smart glasses, Snap hopes to create new ways to make money beyond ads. Wearable tech is becoming a big industry, and if Snap’s Specs catch on, it could help the company grow in new directions.
Smart glasses are still a niche product, but with big names like Snap and Meta pushing them, they might soon become as common as smartphones. For Snap, this is a chance to prove it can innovate beyond social media. If successful, Specs could change how people use AR in their daily lives—whether for gaming, social media, or even work.
The battle between Snap and Meta is heating up, and 2026 could be a turning point for smart glasses. With both companies investing heavily in AR, the next few years might bring even more exciting tech to our everyday lives. For now, all eyes are on Snap as it prepares to launch its first consumer smart glasses, hoping to win over users in the U.S. and beyond.
