Key Highlights
- Samsung has officially announced AI-powered smart glasses featuring an integrated camera that pairs with smartphones for artificial intelligence capabilities
- Internally known as Project HAEAN, the eyewear is scheduled for a 2026 debut, marking Samsung’s inaugural entry into smart glasses
- Recent intelligence indicates the product might incorporate an integrated display, contradicting previous reports of a screen-less approach
- The tech giant has partnered with Qualcomm and Google on development efforts beginning in 2023
- Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban commands an 82% share of the worldwide smart glasses sector
Samsung has officially disclosed preliminary information regarding its forthcoming AI-enhanced smart glasses, verifying the inclusion of an integrated camera with smartphone connectivity.
Jay Kim, holding the position of executive vice president within Samsung’s mobile division, provided these specifications during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 6, 2026.
Speaking with CNBC, Kim explained the camera would be positioned at “eye level.” The eyewear transmits visual information to a connected smartphone, where artificial intelligence computations occur.
According to Kim, the primary capability involves AI comprehending “where you’re looking at” before it can “feed the information to the mobile phone” for generating helpful responses.
When questioned about display integration, Kim remained noncommittal. He pointed out Samsung’s existing ecosystem of devices like smartwatches and phones already provide screen functionality when required.
Nevertheless, separate reporting from South Korean publication ETNews indicates Samsung may have altered its strategy. Their sources claim the glasses, designated Project HAEAN internally, might feature a display system that beams images directly onto the lens surfaces.
The eyewear will reportedly incorporate built-in audio speakers, pursuing a completely hands-free user experience eliminating physical buttons or control devices.
Collaboration With Qualcomm and Google
Samsung has maintained a development partnership with semiconductor company Qualcomm and tech giant Google since 2023, focusing on operating systems, processing chips, and physical components for mixed-reality applications.
Their initial collaborative release was the Galaxy XR headset, which debuted last year operating on Google’s Android XR platform.
Qualcomm’s chief executive Cristiano Amon verified earlier this week that the smart glasses product would arrive within the current year.
Expectations include integration with Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence ecosystem, although specific implementation details haven’t been revealed.
Competing Against Meta
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses presently control the marketplace with 82% worldwide market share, based on data from Counterpoint Research.
Samsung enters a competitive landscape alongside rivals including Alibaba and Xreal.
Manufacturers see smart glasses as attractive because their compact, unobtrusive form factor makes them more accessible to mainstream consumers compared to bulky VR headsets.
“Everybody talks about what’s the next AI device is,” Kim stated. “Glasses, obviously is one of them and everybody’s looking at it.”
Kim further emphasized that XR headsets will likely remain specialized products unable to achieve widespread consumer adoption like glasses potentially could.
According to Kim, Samsung aims “to have something for industry this year.”
While Samsung hasn’t specified an exact launch date for Project HAEAN, the company has confirmed intentions for a 2026 market introduction.
