As the augmented reality wearables market heats up, Snap has revealed ambitious plans for its next-generation smart glasses. The company announced Tuesday that its sixth-generation device—rebranded from "Spectacles" to simply "Specs"—will launch in 2026 with significant technological upgrades.

A New Era for Snap's Wearables

The upcoming Specs represent a complete overhaul of Snap's wearable strategy. The glasses will feature advanced AR capabilities, projecting digital images onto the physical world while enabling user interaction. Though pricing remains undisclosed, Snap promises a sleeker, lighter design compared to previous models—a crucial improvement given the device's everyday wearability requirements.

Powering the Future with AI and OS Upgrades

At the core of this evolution lies Snap's proprietary operating system, Snap OS. More intriguing is the integration of Google's Gemini AI model, giving developers fresh tools to create immersive AR experiences. This marks a departure from previous reliance solely on OpenAI's GPT models, potentially unlocking new creative possibilities for AR applications.

From Humble Beginnings to AR Ambitions

Snap's journey in smart glasses began modestly in 2016 with $130 video-recording Spectacles. The 2021 iteration introduced basic AR functionality, but the 2026 model signals full commitment to augmented reality as a computing platform. "We're witnessing extraordinary progress in AI and AR technologies," said CEO Evan Spiegel. "These innovations are enabling entirely new forms of human-centered computing experiences."

A Crowded Arena of Tech Titans

The announcement comes amid intensifying competition in spatial computing. Apple made waves with its $3,500 Vision Pro earlier this year, while Meta continues expanding its portfolio with Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses. Not to be outdone, Google recently partnered with Warby Parker on a $150 million smart glasses initiative.

With price points ranging from $130 to premium $3,500 devices, consumers now face unprecedented choice in wearable tech. Snap's strategic pivot positions it as a serious contender in this high-stakes market—but whether Specs can stand out among tech giants' offerings remains to be seen when they arrive in 2026.

Key Points

1. Snap rebrands its AR glasses line as "Specs," set for 2026 release with major design improvements
2. New model integrates Google's Gemini AI alongside existing OpenAI capabilities
3. Runs on proprietary Snap OS operating system designed specifically for wearables
4. Enters increasingly competitive market against Apple Vision Pro and Meta devices
5. Represents evolution from simple video recording (2016) to full AR functionality