TLDR
- Samsung has officially announced its AI-powered smart glasses will incorporate a camera system that pairs with smartphones for artificial intelligence tasks
- Dubbed Project HAEAN internally, these glasses are slated for a 2026 market debut as Samsung’s inaugural smart eyewear offering
- Recent reports indicate the product might incorporate an integrated display, marking a shift from initial display-less concepts
- The tech giant has partnered with Qualcomm and Google on development efforts beginning in 2023
- Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban commands an 82% share of the worldwide smart glasses sector
Samsung has unveiled initial specifications for its forthcoming AI smart glasses, verifying that the wearable will incorporate camera technology and smartphone connectivity.
During Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 6, 2026, Jay Kim, who serves as executive vice president within Samsung’s mobile division, disclosed these specifications.
Speaking with CNBC, Kim explained the camera will be positioned at “eye level.” The eyewear transmits visual information to a connected smartphone, where AI computations occur.
According to Kim, the primary capability centers on enabling AI to comprehend “where you’re looking at” before it can “feed the information to the mobile phone” for generating helpful outputs.
Kim refrained from confirming whether displays will be integrated into the glasses. He referenced Samsung’s existing portfolio including smartwatches and smartphones for scenarios requiring screens.
Nevertheless, reporting from South Korean publication ETNews indicates Samsung may have altered its strategy. The outlet claims the eyewear, internally designated Project HAEAN, might feature display technology that beams images directly onto the lens surfaces.
The device is reportedly being equipped with integrated speakers for audio output, pursuing a completely hands-free user experience without physical controls or remote devices.
Samsung’s Partnership With Qualcomm and Google
Samsung initiated collaboration with semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm and Google in 2023, focusing on operating systems, chip architecture, and physical components for mixed-reality applications.
Their initial collaborative product was the Galaxy XR headset, which debuted last year operating on Google’s Android XR platform.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon verified earlier this week that the smart eyewear will arrive on the market this year.
The glasses are anticipated to work with Google’s Gemini AI ecosystem, although specific implementation details haven’t been disclosed.
Taking on Meta
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses presently control the marketplace with 82% of global market share, based on data from Counterpoint Research.
Samsung is now entering a competitive field that includes players like Alibaba and Xreal.
Manufacturers are gravitating toward smart glasses due to their compact form factor and reduced obtrusiveness compared to VR headsets, increasing their potential for mainstream consumer adoption.
“Everybody talks about what’s the next AI device is,” Kim stated. “Glasses, obviously is one of them and everybody’s looking at it.”
Kim further noted that XR headsets will stay confined to specialty markets and won’t achieve widespread adoption comparable to what glasses might accomplish.
According to Kim, Samsung’s objective is “to have something for industry this year.”
While Samsung hasn’t specified an exact launch date for Project HAEAN, the company has established a 2026 release timeframe as its objective.
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