Most Envisioned AR Glasses: Becoming Next Big Thing in 2026

Most envisioned AR glasses on the market, what are they? AR eyewear is gaining momentum! It’s becoming a new convenient partner in process optimization, decision-making, and daily life in the consumer and enterprise segments. From Apple’s original smart glasses to Snap’s next-generation Spectacles, Meta’s AR frames, to the next steps by Samsung or even new TikTok ventures, we’ve scanned the most anticipated devices, emphasizing their unique features and intended applications. So, let’s have a glimpse at the near future of AR!

Apple

Apple is planning to launch one of the most envisioned AR glasses in 2026. These are going to be the lightweight smart glasses, according to MacRummors. They will function similarly to existing camera-equipped smart glasses (like Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories), emphasizing audio and AI assistance over 3D holograms. Cameras, microphones, and speakers are built-in to let the glasses capture photos/video and “analyze the external world” via Siri voice commands.

Knowing Apple’s approach to design, a sleek normal-glasses form factor, likely with premium materials and comfort, can be expected. Apple is focusing on AI Push, Bloomberg stated, AI integration (improving Siri by launch time) to deliver helpful information in real time. Apple will likely aim for all-day standby use due to the device’s supportive role. In short, Apple’s 2026 glasses are a step toward full AR.

Strategy: Apple may target the general consumer for AR glasses while pivoting its focus on VR headsets to the enterprise segment. Given the growing market, the accessible price point will be crucial for AR glasses to succeed.

A strong theme in the XR industry is that AR glasses seem to be the most accessible way for an everyday consumer to access AI. This can be a way for Apple to showcase its capabilities as an AI company. In this case, they could expect more interactions with their AI models from the AR glasses as opposed to AI interactions from mobile devices or laptops.

Snap Spectacles

With a new Spectacles release scheduled for 2026, Snap Inc. is expanding in the AR eyewear market. According to CEO Evan Spiegel, the Specs understand the world around you with advanced machine learning.

“They bring AI assistance into three-dimensional space, enable shared games and experiences with your friends through lenses, and provide a flexible and powerful workstation for browsing, streaming, and so much more,” he said in June at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) while presenting what to expect from Snap in 2026.

Snap’s AR Spectacles offer features that go well beyond simple camera glasses. One of Snap’s biggest differentiators is its software ecosystem, which allows developers to use Lens Studio to create unique augmented reality experiences known as “Lenses” for Spectacles. The glasses will be able to identify and enhance real-world objects and create immersive AR experiences.

Use cases: Snap’s upcoming consumer Spectacles will target creative and social AR, recording first-person POV snaps with AR effects, playing immersive AR games or lenses, and overlaying Snapchat’s filters on the world in real time.

We can also expect that by 2026, a wide range of Lens content, including art, entertainment, and even educational lenses, will be available for early adopters. The Spectacles will integrate tightly with Snapchat’s ecosystem (likely requiring a phone for connectivity and sharing).

Meta

After the loud launch of AI glasses in partnership with Oakley, Meta is also expected to release more advanced AR-capable glasses by 2026. A high-end version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, will include a heads-up display in the lens. Unlike Meta’s first-gen Ray-Ban Stories (which only have cameras and audio), the Hypernova glasses will add a built-in screen on the right lens to show visual information.

Positioned as a “mid-tier” smart glasses, more capable than audio-only, but not yet full mixed-reality, Hypernova will run apps and incorporate an AI assistant (“chatbot on your face”) to answer queries, leveraging Meta’s work in generative AI. add

Differentiators: Meta plans to bundle a “neural” wristband controller (codenamed Ceres) with the glasses, according to Bloomberg. This wristband uses EMG (electromyography) to read subtle finger movements, providing an intuitive way to click or scroll by just moving your hand, a novel input method that could set Meta’s experience apart. Hypernova is expected to carry a premium price (~$1,000–1,400), reflecting its more advanced tech and included wristband.

Meta’s long-term AR roadmap (per leaks) includes a fully-featured AR glasses line (codenamed “Orion”). Hypernova is expected to be an interim step – it adds a basic display and AI smarts, but does not project rich 3D graphics into your environment.

From the societal projects we’ve covered in past blogs, to Meta’s broad expansion into wellness, sports, and fashion industries, the company’s strategy positions it several steps ahead in the AR market. This approach opens new domains for the technology and accelerates its widespread adoption. Meta’s recent acquisition of a ~3% stake in EssilorLuxottica, the powerhouse behind Ray-Ban and Oakley, underscores this long-term vision.

y embedding cutting-edge AR capabilities into iconic frames, Meta is bypassing the common challenge of unfamiliar wearables and using the strong brand equity of Ray-Ban and Oakley to drive mass adoption.

Google & Samsung

Google and Samsung are collaborating on Android XR Glasses, set to release in 2026. These lightweight AR glasses are designed for both consumer and enterprise use, offering glanceable AR features like notifications, navigation, and real-time information overlays, according to XRToday.

Differentiators: The glasses will feature a sleek design with tight integration into the Android ecosystem, supporting Google services (Assistant, Maps) and Samsung devices. Expect AI-powered experiences, including motion sensors and built-in cameras for context-aware AR.

Use cases: For consumers, they’ll offer hands-free tasks like navigation and translation. For enterprises, they’ll enable remote assistance, real-time data access, and collaborative tools in sectors like manufacturing and healthcare.

Read also: The Ultimate Guide to AR Glasses [Download]

TikTok

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is planning to enter the AR eyewear market with its mixed-reality goggles. This device will blend augmented and virtual reality to deliver an immersive, AI-powered experience, leveraging TikTok’s vast content library. The goggles are being built by a renowned ByteDance’s virtual reality startup, @Pico, the experience creators of VR devices such as the Pico 4, while adding another layer of competition in the AR space.

Differentiators: TikTok’s AR glasses may integrate AI-driven content and social features, enabling users to interact with TikTok videos in real-time, experience AR effects, and share videos seamlessly. By tapping into its massive user base, ByteDance aims to drive engagement through interactive AR, setting itself apart from AR and VR.

Meta remains a leading force in the AR market, supported by its extensive experience and a well-established ecosystem for its upcoming glasses. However, the competitive landscape is evolving so quickly that no one can afford to underestimate the challenge ahead. As 2026 is approaching, the AR eyewear market is on the verge of groundbreaking launches that will profoundly impact consumer and enterprise applications.

The most envisioned AR glasses are on their way. And, who knows, 2026 may become a pivotal year where AR will drive even more meaningful change in how we live, work, perform, and entertain.

Read also: Lucid Reality Labs Triumphs at AWE 2025 with Double Auggie Wins and Epic AR Theme-Park Showcase

About Lucid Reality Labs

Lucid Reality Labs is a visionary XR and AI development company that crafts complex immersive solutions through spatial technology – from concept & design to development & support, with a strategic focus on Healthcare, Life Science, Education & Training, and many more. We equip industries with the boundless potential of immersive technology. Committed to disrupting global challenges with responsible technology, we deliver impactful solutions that elevate industries through immersive capabilities. Check the award-winning use cases created by Lucid Reality Labs here.