Google and Samsung Launch Android XR Smart Glasses With Warby Parker, Gentle Monster

Google and Samsung have released their first Android XR smart glasses, nearly two years after first announcing the platform. The Intelligent Eyewear is a collaboration where Samsung provides hardware and Google handles the software. Warby Parker and Gentle Monster designed the frames, similar to Meta's partnership with Ray-Ban. Kering Eyewear, which owns Lindberg and Maui Jim, has also signed up to make glasses for Android XR in the future.

The glasses weigh around 41 grams and have a nine-hour battery life. They include a 12-megapixel camera with an LED indicator that shows when recording, a button for photos and 90-second videos at up to 3K resolution, and a touch-sensitive temple for activating the Gemini assistant or adjusting volume. They are the first devices to support the "Hey Gemini" hotword, though "Hey Google" also works. The glasses are only compatible with certain phones, including Pixel 7 or newer, Galaxy S or Z Fold with One UI 9.0 or higher, and iPhone 13 Pro or newer. Google says it will share plans for expanding phone support after launch in 2027.

Most features rely on Gemini, such as asking for information about a poster, adding items to a shopping list, or creating a travel itinerary. The assistant uses a Gemini Live experience for free-flowing conversation. Translation capabilities detect languages and translate speech, trying to mimic the speaker's tone. An accessibility feature called Guided Vision provides audio descriptions for people with impaired vision. Google has announced privacy measures, including tamper detection that stops the camera if the indicator light is blocked and automatic redaction of faces before Gemini processes visual data.

Warby Parker frames start at $395 in three styles, while Gentle Monster glasses start at $449 in six designs. Both brands are launching pop-up experiences in New York City for demos. Google has previewed glasses with built-in displays for navigation or captions, but those are not yet ready and are still being tested by non-Googlers.