Snap Specs: The Future of Augmented Reality

Mixed Reality (VR/AR)Spatial Intelligence

Imagine a world where you can see virtual objects and interfaces in your daily life, without the need for a headset or display. Welcome to the world of Snap Specs, the first true AR glasses that are shipping this fall.

TL;DR
• Snap Specs are true AR glasses with a 51-degree field of view and 7ms motion-to-photon latency.
• They will be available for $2195 this fall.
• Snap OS 2.0 brings the AR platform closer to being consumer-ready.

Summary
Snap has opened preorders for its first‑generation true AR glasses, Specs, slated for fall 2026 in the US, UK, and France at $2,195. The move follows a decade of research and a $2 billion investment in AR, positioning Snap ahead of Meta, Apple, and Google.
• Specs deliver a 51° diagonal field of view and weigh 132–136 g, lighter than prior Snap kits and comparable to Microsoft HoloLens 2.
• The glasses use proprietary LCoS displays with 16 million colors per pixel and a 7 ms motion‑to‑photon latency, the lowest publicly claimed for a 6DoF XR device.
• Electrochromic lenses auto‑tint in 10 s, offering faster adaptation than photochromic alternatives and improved visibility through UV‑blocking glass.
• Specs run Snap OS 2.0, an Android‑based platform that restricts native APKs but supports sandboxed Lenses built with Lens Studio, enabling developers to create AR experiences without heavy compute.
• The device includes first‑party Lenses for web browsing, navigation, measurement, whiteboarding, and translation, with a contextual AI assistant and optional in‑app purchases via Commerce Kit.

Specs build on two previous developer kits: the 2021 Spectacles with a 26° field of view and 30‑minute battery, and the 2024 Spectacles with a 46° field of view, 45‑minute battery, and 226 g weight. The new glasses reduce weight to 132 g and extend battery life to an advertised 4 hours of mixed use, though the figure is vague compared to the 45‑minute AR‑only usage of earlier kits.

Snap’s strategy emphasizes a developer ecosystem, offering a Native Development Kit that allows C/C++ libraries for advanced spatial mapping and physics. Third‑party content includes games from Synth Riders, LEGO Bricktacular, and Niantic Peridot, while Snap plans a Lens store where developers can monetize through in‑app payments.

The preorders require a $200 refundable deposit, with the remaining $1,995 due upon shipment. Availability is limited to the US, UK, and France, with no announced plans for broader markets. The Specs launch marks a significant milestone for true AR glasses, though the high price and early‑stage limitations suggest initial adoption will be among tech enthusiasts and affluent early adopters, mirroring the market entry of Apple Vision Pro.

As we move forward in the world of augmented reality, it's exciting to see companies like Snap pushing the boundaries of what's possible. With Snap Specs, we're one step closer to a future where AR is an integral part of our daily lives.