According to company sources, Google plans to launch its first AI-powered smart glasses in 2026.

At the Google I/O conference, the company announced partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to develop consumer wearables based on Android XR—the same operating system that powers Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset.

However, bulky headsets are impractical for everyday use, making smart glasses a more appealing and discreet alternative in the wearable tech space.

“For AI and XR to be truly useful, hardware must seamlessly integrate into your life and reflect your personal style,” Google stated. “We want to give you the freedom to choose the right balance of weight, aesthetics, and immersion that fits your needs.”

Google is developing multiple AI-driven eyewear variants. One model is screenless, relying on built-in speakers, microphones, and cameras to enable users to interact with Gemini and capture photos. Another features an in-lens display—visible only to the wearer—that can show turn-by-turn navigation or real-time captions.

Google also previewed Project Aura, a wired XR glasses prototype from Xreal. Positioned between traditional headsets and subtle smart glasses, Project Aura includes an in-lens display and doubles as an extended workspace or entertainment device, allowing users to run Google’s suite of applications or stream video much like they would on a high-end headset.

While Meta has an early lead in smart glasses development, Google is now joining competitors like Apple and Snap, with plans to challenge Meta directly with its own hardware offering next year.