Google I/O is less than a day away, and the annual software showcase would be the perfect opportunity for Google and its partners to showcase their Android XR 2026 technology: the XR glasses we’ve been promised will arrive this year.
Google is no stranger to smart specs, but since the rapid rise and fall of Google Glass, we’ve seen glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta take the smart spec world by storm, and now the old king wants his crown back. But with Google taking a software-centric approach – letting others handle the hardware – it makes sense that this new generation of smart glasses would land at a software show like I/O.
Look on it
Let’s take Xreal
I love Xreal’s specs, and I have for a while: if you want a pair of XR glasses, you’ll have a hard time beating the Xreal One Pros. So I’m particularly excited to see the final version of its Project Aura Android
The big difference between Xreal’s Aura glasses and some other AI smart glasses we’ve seen is that they will be hardwired. This matches Xreal’s XR approach with previous models and offers some design advantages, but also some constraints.
Without an internal battery, the Project Aura glasses should feel lighter and less bulky, but they’ll need to run from a connected device (in Aura’s case, that’s a dedicated computing puck that doubles as a trackpad and battery) and they’ll be better suited to stationary activities (working and watching TV) rather than using them on the go.
This approach may not be as mobile as the Ray-Ban and Samsung AI or AR specs, but should perform much better where it counts. The glasses virtually project a giant screen in front of your face, like your own private cinema, and feature the same superb optics as the Xreal One (so expect excellent OLED contrast and color, a wide field of view, and fewer distracting lens flares compared to their competitors on the market). Whether you want a virtual screen for working on multiple windows at once or an immersive portable cinema for your face, the Xreal One pro are the glasses you need with these optics.
Where Aura improves on the current design is that it includes default cameras for hand and object tracking. It’s a bit more basic than the Samsung Galaxy XR headset’s system because Xreal doesn’t have eye tracking, but it should make your Android XR experiences more interactive than Xreal’s previous technology.
The problem is that I expect these specs to be expensive. The Xreal One Pros launched at $649, with an Xreal Eye camera add-on costing $99. The puck is also reminiscent of the Beam Pro and is likely to add a few hundred dollars to the price, meaning we might get lucky if Xreal’s Aura costs less than $1,000.
Samsung steals the show?
While I think Samsung will focus on its own launch event – perhaps tying the launch of its smart glasses to its annual foldable event, which usually takes place in a few months – it’s possible it will debut its glasses at I/O. Not just one pair, we might see two.
The first would be a more standard AI-driven design with a camera, speakers, and microphones, but no screen, just like the basic (but impressive) Ray-Ban Meta specs.
Speaking of which, the design was recently leaked and they look surprisingly similar to the Ray-Ban model. The only difference we know of so far is that they will rely on Gemini instead of Meta AI, which is generally considered a more capable assistant and offers better interoperability between core Android apps for more personalized contextual responses.
In my experience with Ray-Ban smart glasses, AI assistance can be very handy, especially as a tourist. With a better understanding of my schedule through my calendar or the context of the photos I took with my phone, I hope Gemini-based specs can provide better everyday utility.
Better yet, Samsung’s specs should also be quite affordable. These smart glasses are rumored to cost between $379 and $499, which puts them right around Meta’s price point – although we’ll have to wait and see what Samsung announces to be sure, prices have been all over the place thanks to various global economic challenges.
As for the second pair of specifications from Samsung, they would be practically the same, but with a screen.
Now, leaks and rumors suggest the display model won’t arrive until 2027, but I think they’ll be in the spotlight if the display-less specs are shown – partly to drum up excitement and prove that Android in the United States).
It’s frustrating that we may have to wait a little longer for these display bezels, however, given the supply issues Meta has had with its version and the high price, Samsung’s delay could mean it can bring us a more reliable, available and affordable version of this exciting emerging technology.
Show off your stuff
Finally, my bold prediction from Google I/O: we’ll have an XR fashion show with models strutting the runway in smart Gucci, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker specs.
Just as Meta has partnered with Oakley and EssilorLuxottica’s Ray-Ban, Android XR companies are partnering with fashion brands to bring style to their specs.
Since eyewear can play a role in a person’s visual identity, it is essential to focus on fashion and offer a variety of looks to capture different users and use cases. Just look at Meta, his Ray-Bans are great for everyday wear and casual vacations, while his Oakleys are perfect for athletes.
With a wider variety of brands and hopefully styles under its belt, Android
Plus, Google has shown it’s not afraid to mix things up with its events: Last year, the Made by Google Pixel 10 launch show was hosted by Jimmy Fallon and featured a slew of celebrities and segments that felt more like a variety show than a tech talk.
So I’m hoping we get to see some fun smart glasses showcases, although I admit my fashion show pitch may be a little vague – and that’s assuming Google, Gentle Monster, Gucci and Warby Parker are even willing to showcase their designs.
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds.
