MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — At the Google I/O 2026 developer conference, Samsung dropped a surprise announcement: its highly anticipated first pair of smart glasses. The wearable marks a strategic collaboration between the South Korean tech giant and Google, featuring striking designs crafted by eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

Blending Samsung's hardware prowess with Google's software and artificial intelligence ecosystem, the glasses run on the brand-new Android XR operating system. Notably, they offer seamless wireless connectivity with both Android and iOS smartphones.

Ditching the traditional visual display, the glasses rely entirely on audio to relay interactive information to the user. The device is equipped with a camera for capturing photos and videos, while acting as a visual sensor that allows Google Gemini to analyze the user's surroundings in real-time and deliver precise, context-aware responses.

Beyond turn-by-turn navigation and personalized dining recommendations, the smart glasses can summarize notifications, schedule calendar events, and perform live language translation. According to representatives from both companies, the translated audio is meticulously synthesized to mimic the speaker’s original voice tone. The onboard camera can also instantly scan and translate text on menus or street signs.

The wearable is optimized to sync flawlessly with the Galaxy ecosystem, including smartphones and wireless earbuds. On the design front, Warby Parker delivers a classic, versatile look, while Gentle Monster opts for a bolder, fashion-forward aesthetic.

This inaugural smart glasses collection is slated to hit the market this fall, with specific pricing and regional availability to be revealed in the coming months.

Jay Kim, Executive Vice President of Samsung's Mobile eXperience Business, stated that the wearable is a crucial step in the company's AI strategy. The new device, he explained, expands the Galaxy ecosystem by delivering AI experiences tailor-made for unique product form factors.