Samsung poised to launch AI-powered smart glasses with camera and audio, no screen

Rather than competing directly with display-based AR headsets, Samsung’s new eyewear is said to focus on daily-use features like speaking, listening, and capturing moments, aligning more closely with Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories, according to Korean media

Samsung is reportedly advancing plans to introduce a new pair of smart glasses, distinct from its much-anticipated Android XR headset, in what could be its latest push into the fast-evolving wearable technology market.

According to Korean media reports, the upcoming eyewear will not resemble the immersive mixed-reality headsets currently being developed by Samsung and Google. Instead, the glasses are expected to focus on simpler, everyday functions—closer in spirit to Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories than to full-fledged augmented reality devices.

Unlike display-equipped smart glasses, this model is rumoured to feature a microphone, speaker, and camera but no screen. Such a configuration suggests an emphasis on hands-free communication, discreet photo and video capture, and possibly AI-assisted tasks, rather than overlaying virtual elements on the real world.

Rumors resurface after delays

Talk of Samsung developing camera-focused eyewear first emerged last year, with initial projections pointing to a 2025 release. While the timeline appears to have shifted, insiders suggest the project has regained momentum and could be unveiled towards the end of next year.

The company, however, is also working on a separate product line in collaboration with Google—smart glasses powered by Android XR. These will reportedly include displays capable of merging digital content with the physical environment, positioning them closer to mixed-reality devices. Alongside this, Samsung’s “Project Moohan” XR headset is slated to compete directly with Apple’s Vision Pro, highlighting the brand’s multi-pronged strategy in the extended reality space.

AI at the core of future wearables

If realized, Samsung’s non-display glasses could operate with a lightweight version of Android XR or offer tight integration with Google’s Gemini AI. This would enable users to interact through voice commands, receive real-time assistance, and perhaps leverage camera features for contextual AI-driven insights. Such functionality may resemble how Google’s Pixel Buds integrate with Gemini, offering intelligence through audio rather than visuals.

Growing competition in the market

The smart eyewear sector is gaining traction, with Apple, Xiaomi, and Meta all exploring different approaches to blending style, functionality, and emerging technologies. Samsung’s two-tier strategy—developing both AI-driven lifestyle glasses and immersive XR headsets—could help it target mainstream consumers as well as early adopters of advanced mixed-reality systems.