Key Highlights
- Samsung has officially announced its AI-powered smart glasses will incorporate an integrated camera that links to smartphones for artificial intelligence processing
- Internally referred to as Project HAEAN, these glasses are slated for a 2026 market debut, marking Samsung’s inaugural entry into smart eyewear
- Recent intelligence indicates the product might incorporate an integrated display system, contradicting initial display-free concepts
- The South Korean tech giant has partnered with Qualcomm and Google on development efforts beginning in 2023
- Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban commands an impressive 82% share of worldwide smart glasses sales
Samsung has publicly disclosed initial specifications for its forthcoming AI-enabled smart glasses, announcing the inclusion of an integrated camera with smartphone pairing capabilities.
Jay Kim, serving as executive vice president within Samsung’s mobile division, provided these insights during discussions at Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona on March 6, 2026.
During his conversation with CNBC, Kim explained the camera will be positioned at “eye level.” The eyewear transmits visual information to a connected smartphone, where AI analysis occurs.
According to Kim, the primary capability centers on enabling AI to comprehend “where you’re looking at” before “feed[ing] the information to the mobile phone” to generate relevant answers.
When questioned about display integration, Kim remained noncommittal. He referenced Samsung’s existing device ecosystem, including smartwatches and smartphones, for situations requiring screen interaction.
Nevertheless, reporting from South Korean publication ETNews indicates Samsung may have pivoted strategically. Their sources claim Project HAEAN might feature a display system that projects imagery directly onto the lens surfaces.
The eyewear reportedly will feature integrated audio speakers, targeting a completely hands-free user experience without physical controls or remote devices.
Collaboration With Qualcomm and Google Powers Development
Samsung initiated collaboration with semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm and technology giant Google in 2023, focusing on operating systems, chip technology, 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’s chief executive Cristiano Amon verified earlier this week that the smart eyewear will also become available this year.
Expectations point toward integration with Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence ecosystem, although comprehensive specifications remain undisclosed.
Challenging Meta’s Market Position
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart eyewear presently controls the marketplace with an 82% worldwide market share, based on data from Counterpoint Research.
Samsung enters a competitive field alongside rivals such as Alibaba and Xreal.
Manufacturers are gravitating toward smart eyewear because these devices offer a more compact, less obtrusive alternative to virtual reality headsets, potentially driving broader 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 emphasized that extended reality headsets will likely occupy a specialized market segment rather than achieving mainstream penetration comparable to glasses.
Samsung’s objective, Kim indicated, is “to have something for industry this year.”
While no precise release date for Project HAEAN has been publicly confirmed, Samsung has established a 2026 timeframe as its delivery target.
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