Why 2025 Is the Year of Smart Glasses
I predict that 2025 will be the year of a big breakthrough in smart glasses.
Technology is finally advanced enough that tech glasses are useful rather than gimmicks; the general public knows what they are; and the new generation of smart glasses look like glasses rather than computers for your face. We’ve come a long way since Google Glass.
The big tech companies clearly agree, because they’re all making them: Meta wants to whisper AI in your ear. Google and Snap are joining the fray. Samsung and Apple are rumored to be developing smart glasses. With so many styles, features, and price points hitting the market, it can be overwhelming to figure out which glasses are right for you. Luckily, you don’t have to be a tech expert to make a smart choice.
What can smart glasses do?
The term “smart glasses” is too broad to be useful. It’s used for everything from sunglasses with artificial intelligence to augmented reality displays to glasses that help you see better, so before you buy, it’s worth asking: What exactly do you want your smart glasses to do ?
Roughly speaking, smart glasses fall into the following categories, although most of them fall under multiple classifications:
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Audio-first : These are essentially earbuds built into glasses. They usually look like “regular” glasses and are designed to play music, take calls, and often communicate with an AI assistant. They don’t have screens or augmented reality overlays.
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Camera-first : These are like a lighter GoPro. They’re for those who want to capture life on the fly, either through still images or video. Some support live streaming.
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AR-first : Glasses designed for AR (augmented reality) display digital information such as directions, messages, videos or even 3D animations directly into your field of vision.
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Vision-first: These are the most promising smart glasses. Their purpose is not to listen to podcasts, but to improve vision. There are no Vision-first smart glasses on the market in the US, but cyborg-style vision enhancements such as auto-zoom or auto-adjustment of bifocals may be available in the future.
So, those are the basics. Here’s the gear:
Oakley Meta HSTN
These just-announced smart glasses are Ray-Ban’s follow-up to its mega-successful Meta line of smart glasses. The Oakley HSTN does the same things as the Ray-Ban Metas — play audio, take photos and videos, let you chat with an AI-powered Meta agent, and provide real-time translation — but they do some things better. The Oakley smart glasses shoot 3K video compared to Ray-Ban’s 1080p, and the battery life is eight hours, which is twice as long as the Metas. The Oakley Metas retail for $399 , and you can pre-order them on July 11.
Xreal One Pro
The XReal One Pro smart glasses augment your reality, so you can do things like watch a movie inside the glasses or answer emails on a virtual screen. I’ve been impressed with the Xreal Pro line of glasses overall, and the company’s recently released One Pro glasses seem even better. Improvements include a built-in “Self-Developed Spatial Computing Chip,” so there’s no need for a separate Android device to run them, and a wider field of view for better augmented reality. The Xreal Pro One glasses retail for $649.00 and are available now .
Viture Pro XR Glasses
Designed more for viewing images and videos than hardcore AR or VR, the Viture Pro XR glasses act as a display for your PC, iPhone or Android device, Steam Deck, Switch 2, and more. The Pro XR displays the equivalent of a 135-inch screen at 9.8 feet away at 1080p. Images are crisp and bright, and it’s all packed into a cool pair of glasses. The Viture Pro XR glasses are available now for $499.00.
Snap Features
Snapchat’s smart glasses have come a long way since the first line launched in 2016. Instead of just a camera attached to a pair of glasses, Snap Specs are a full-fledged standalone augmented reality unit packed into a pair of (clunky-looking) glasses. They’re powered by artificial intelligence and let you do things like play augmented reality games, share 3D spaces with others, and project the OS onto the palm of your hand. I tried them out briefly at Augmented World Expo 2025, and they’re impressive and easy to use; I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair. Snap Specs are scheduled to launch in 2026. No price has been announced yet.
Chamelo Aura
I’m not sure if the Chamelo Aura sunglasses qualify as “smart glasses,” but they’re so cool I had to include them. They don’t have AI, a camera, speakers, or a display in the lenses, but the lenses instantly change between four colors with a single click, so you can choose the best shade for lighting conditions, coordinate outfits, and impress your friends with your stylish glasses. The Aura sunglasses retail for $365 and are available now .
Google Android XR Glasses
Luckily, Google seems to have put the Google Glass fiasco behind it and plans to release a pair of Android-powered smart glasses with a camera, Gemini AI support, and an optional transparent microdisplay that will let you project information — messages, navigation, and real-time translation — directly onto your lenses. Google is also partnering with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to make sure they don’t look silly. Google’s Android XR glasses are expected to go on sale in 2025–2026.
Project HAEAN from Samsung
Samsung’s upcoming smart glasses are still under wraps, but the rumors are intriguing. Unlike Samsung’s Moohan experiment, HAEAN (if it’s real) isn’t a big VR headset. It’s a pair of glasses you can wear in public without feeling silly. They’re rumored to be powered by Samsung’s proprietary XR chip and integrated with Galaxy AI, presumably with the end goal of a voice- and AI-focused wearable with a focus on comfort and ease of use.
Apple glass
Nothing has been officially announced, but tech rumors are swirling over Apple’s alleged plan to release a line of smart glasses. If what’s been reported by various sources is true, Apple Glass will be similar to the Meta smart glasses, but better. Maybe better just because they say “Apple” on them, but maybe actually better . If they do exist, rumors are that they’ll be out in 2026.
IXI Smart Glasses with Autofocus
It’s too early to tell if the Finnish startup’s claims will turn to steam, but IXI recently raised $36.5 million from investors to develop smart glasses that invisibly and automatically correct farsightedness, rather than having you listen to a podcast or something. Lenses that automatically adjust to optimal focus would be a big deal because it’s a step toward glasses that improve 20/20 vision, perhaps allowing you to see farther away or instantly see like a microscope. There’s no release date yet, but “far” seems logical.