TLDR
- Samsung announced its AI smart glasses will include a camera that connects to smartphones for artificial intelligence processing
- Project HAEAN, Samsung’s codename for the device, targets a 2026 market launch as the company’s inaugural smart glasses offering
- Recent reports indicate the product might incorporate an integrated display, marking a shift from previous display-free concepts
- Development collaboration between Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google began in 2023
- Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses command 82% of worldwide smart glasses sales
Samsung has disclosed initial specifications for its forthcoming AI smart glasses, announcing the product will incorporate a camera and require smartphone connectivity.
Jay Kim, executive vice president within Samsung’s mobile division, provided these details during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 6, 2026.
Kim explained to CNBC that the camera will be positioned at “eye level.” The device will transmit visual information to a connected smartphone, where AI computations occur.
According to Kim, the primary capability centers on AI recognition of “where you’re looking at” followed by information transmission “to the mobile phone” to generate helpful outputs.
Kim refrained from confirming whether the glasses will feature an integrated display. He mentioned Samsung’s existing product lineup, including smartwatches and phones, already provides screen-based interfaces when needed.
Meanwhile, Korean publication ETNews reports Samsung may have revised its approach. Their coverage indicates the glasses, known internally as Project HAEAN, might feature a display system that projects images directly onto the lens surfaces.
The device will reportedly incorporate built-in speakers for audio output, creating a hands-free operation model that eliminates physical buttons or remote controls.
Samsung’s Partnership With Qualcomm and Google
Samsung launched its collaboration with chipmaker Qualcomm and Google in 2023, focusing on operating systems, semiconductor components, and physical hardware 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 stated earlier this week that the smart glasses will arrive on the market this year.
The glasses are anticipated to work with Google’s Gemini AI platform, although specific implementation details have yet to be revealed.
Taking on Meta
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses hold the leading position with an 82% worldwide market share, based on data from Counterpoint Research.
Samsung enters a competitive field that includes Alibaba and Xreal among other players.
Manufacturers favor smart glasses because they offer compact form factors and less obtrusive designs compared to VR headsets, increasing their potential appeal for mainstream consumers.
“Everybody talks about what’s the next AI device is,” Kim said. “Glasses, obviously is one of them and everybody’s looking at it.”
Kim noted that XR headsets will likely serve niche markets and won’t achieve the widespread adoption potential that glasses offer.
Samsung’s objective, Kim stated, is “to have something for industry this year.”
Samsung has yet to announce a precise launch date for Project HAEAN, though the company has confirmed its intention to release the product within the 2026 timeframe.
