Executive VP Jay Kim reveals an eye-level camera and a phone-tethered design
Samsung has finally provided the first concrete details about its upcoming smart glasses, confirming the debut design will prioritize AI utility over visual overlays.
Speaking in an interview to CNBC at MWC 2026 last week, Jay Kim, Executive VP of Mobile at Samsung, revealed that the first-generation device will feature an eye-level camera and a tethered architecture that offloads all heavy processing to a connected Galaxy smartphone.
The brand already confirmed during its Q4 earnings call in January that the glasses were scheduled to arrive in 2026, but this is the first proper hint at what to actually expect.
Dubbed ‘Galaxy Glasses’, the specs are the result of a high-profile collaboration between Samsung, Google, and fashion brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
This partnership, first teased in late 2025, suggests Samsung is aiming for a lifestyle-first look to compete with the dominant Meta Ray-Bans.
Forgoing the AR smarts (for now)
Crucially, Kim hinted that the device will not feature an AR display, noting that Samsung already offers other devices (referring to the $1,800 Galaxy XR headset) for users who require a visual interface.
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The device, instead, will run on the Android XR operating system. And by utilizing Google’s Gemini, the glasses will likely allow users to capture footage, identify real-world objects, and ask contextual questions via built-in microphones and speakers.
This camera-to-phone pipeline should ensure the glasses remain slim and fashionable, too, avoiding the bulk and battery issues that have plagued AR hardware.
We won’t know for sure until the brand provides the full unveil, but it’s likely that we’ll see more hints—both official and leaked—over the coming months. Stay tuned.
