For years, Samsung has teased its ambitions in Extended Reality (XR). Now, the company is developing a follow-up to its upcoming AI glasses that will finally incorporate a built-in display.
According to a new report from TheLEC, these next-generation smart glasses are expected to launch in the second half of 2027 or the first half of 2028. The exact timeline depends on how quickly the necessary display technology matures.
Upgrading the Visual Experience
Last month, Samsung reportedly requested its display division to build a micro-display smaller than 0.2 inches to fit inside a traditional glasses frame. The company is currently evaluating OLEDoS (micro-OLED) and LEDoS panels based on performance and cost.
Rather than offering a full-color experience, Samsung is favoring a simple 4-bit grayscale display. This panel will handle basic visual elements like text, notification icons, and navigation arrows, but it is not built to support photo or video playback.
Industry sources indicate that White OLEDoS is the most realistic choice due to its scalability and lower manufacturing costs compared to a full RGB panel. This approach contrasts with Meta, which unveiled its Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses at the Meta Connect 2025 event with a full-color display and a dedicated control wristband.
Design Hurdles and Smartphone Synergy
The engineering team has not yet decided whether the display will use a monocular design for a single lens or a binocular setup spanning both eyes. Achieving a wide field of view remains a primary challenge, as Samsung wants to position the screen directly on the front of the lens.
Like previous iterations, this future display model will function as a smartphone companion rather than a standalone replacement. Users will rely on their phones as the primary device, while the glasses will handle quick glances at contextual information.
This deep integration comes with strict requirements. Most of the device's features require a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone to function. Operating the hardware will also necessitate a Galaxy account and specific flagship phones.
Holding the Fort: The 2026 Screenless Model
Before these display-equipped glasses arrive, Samsung will launch its first-generation screenless AI glasses in fall 2026. A leak from Sammyguru journalist @thatjoshguy69 suggests the device could debut as early as July, alongside the Galaxy Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.
The company officially unveiled this initial model at the Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026. Developed in collaboration with Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, the first-gen device relies entirely on camera and voice interactions.
The 2026 glasses feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip and run on Android XR, powered by Google Gemini. They are rumored to pack a 12MP Sony IMX681 sensor with autofocus, matching the camera found on the Gen 2 Meta Ray-Bans, which currently retail for around $459.00.
Samsung's initial screenless model offers live translation, text-to-speech summaries, and live video sharing. The glasses also feature "Context-Aware Continuation" to pick up where users left off, alongside context recognition that saves captured content directly to Samsung Notes.
The smart glasses deliver up to nine hours of battery life, with a charging case providing up to seven additional full charges. Touch controls are included, while gesture controls are supported exclusively through the Galaxy Watch 9.