Snapchat to Launch Affordable AR Glasses in 2026

Snapchat is set to enter the consumer augmented reality (AR) glasses market in 2026 with its new product called Specs. This announcement was made by CEO Evan Spiegel at the Augmented World Expo, signaling a significant step in Snap’s long-term vision to redefine computing beyond smartphones.

The upcoming Specs glasses are designed to be thinner and lighter than the developer versions released last year, featuring a wider field of view that enhances the immersive AR experience. While Spiegel did not disclose the exact price, he confirmed it will be more affordable than Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro, positioning Specs as a competitive option in the nascent AR hardware landscape.

Snap’s advantage lies in its robust ecosystem: nearly 400,000 developers are already creating AR lenses and effects for Snapchat’s platform, which boasts close to one billion monthly users. These lenses are evolving with multiplayer and AI capabilities, promising unique interactive experiences that differentiate Specs from competitors.

Partnerships with AI leaders like OpenAI and Google enable developers to build intelligent AR lenses that respect user privacy by processing visual data locally rather than storing footage on servers. Snap’s spatial intelligence technology can interpret real-world scenes to offer contextual assistance, such as coaching users in games like pool.

Additionally, Snap is collaborating with Niantic Spatial to develop an advanced AI-powered map that will help AR glasses and AI agents understand and interact with the physical environment more naturally. This initiative aims to create a seamless blend of digital and real-world experiences.

While the AR glasses market is still emerging, with competitors like Meta, Google, and Apple also developing their own devices, Spiegel emphasizes that Specs must offer a computing experience significantly better than smartphones to capture a broad audience. He believes AR glasses will become “10 times better at AI” by being spatially aware and enhancing social interactions.

In summary, Snapchat’s Specs represent a strategic blend of hardware innovation, AI integration, and a thriving developer community aimed at making AR glasses a practical and engaging computing platform. As the technology matures, Specs could redefine how users interact with digital content in the real world.