’ve been watching the XR space closely, and let’s be honest—bulky headsets have struggled to find a home on our faces. But smart glasses? That’s a different story. I just caught wind of some massive leaks regarding Samsung’s next move, codenamed “Jinju.” Samsung is officially jumping into the smart glasses arena to take on the Meta Ray-Bans, and they’re bringing Google’s heavy-hitting AI along for the ride. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s heading to your face later this year.
The Hardware: Sleek, Light, and “Display-less”
The first pair, codenamed Jinju, follows the Meta blueprint. You won’t find a holographic screen here; instead, these are focused on being a stylish, high-tech wearable you actually want to wear all day.
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Processor: Powered by the Snapdragon AR1 (the gold standard for smart eyewear).
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Camera: A 12MP Sony IMX681 sensor for point-of-view photos and videos.
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Weight: Hovering around 50g, making them light enough for a full day of use.
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Style: Samsung is partnering with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to ensure you don’t look like a walking piece of lab equipment.
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Why it matters: By skipping the display for the first gen, Samsung can keep the weight down and the battery life up, focusing on the “AI assistant” experience rather than “Iron Man” visuals.
The “Jinju” vs. “Haean” Roadmap
Samsung is playing the long game here. If you’re holding out for a pair that actually puts a screen in front of your eyes, you’re going to have to wait.
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Jinju (2026): No display, AI-focused, priced between $379 and $499.
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Haean (2027): This is the premium sibling. It’s slated to feature a Micro-LED display, with a much steeper price tag between $600 and $900.
The Secret Sauce: Android XR & Gemini
This is where Samsung plans to crush the competition. While Meta has its own AI, Samsung is leaning on Google Gemini.
Think of it this way: You’re walking through Tokyo, and you look at a menu. Gemini can translate it in real-time through your speakers, give you Google Maps walking directions, or identify landmarks—all without you pulling out your phone. Because Gemini is deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem (Photos, Maps, Workspace), it’s arguably a much smarter companion than anything Meta offers right now.
The Competitive Landscape
Samsung is entering a crowded room. Meta has already moved millions of units, and Google is prepping its own “Gemini Glasses.” Even Apple has been rumored to be working on glasses under Tim Cook’s “next big thing” vision.
Why it matters: Smart glasses are the “forever wearable.” Unlike a VR headset that you take off after 30 minutes, these are meant to replace your standard frames. If Samsung nails the partnership with Warby Parker, they might just convince the average person to go “smart.”
When Can You Get Them?
Keep your eyes on the July Unpacked event. While the stars will be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8, I’m expecting Samsung to give us a major tease (or a full reveal) of the Galaxy Glasses. They likely won’t ship immediately, but they’ll be the “one more thing” that steals the show.
My Take: If Samsung can keep the price closer to $379, they have a winner. The combination of Gentle Monster’s aesthetics and Google’s AI is a lethal combo for Meta.
