Snap is gearing up to introduce a new generation of augmented reality (AR) Spectacles, set to be revealed at the company’s upcoming Partner Summit on September 17. This marks the fifth iteration of Spectacles and the second to incorporate AR technology.
A new chapter in AR innovation
The first AR-enabled Spectacles were launched in 2021 but were limited to a select group of creators and developers. These early adopters experimented with combining Snapchat‘s lenses with AR displays, leading to fascinating developments. However, these glasses were far from perfect. They featured a narrow field of view, a battery life lasting only 30 minutes, and a bulky design that made them look more like a tech gadget than a pair of stylish sunglasses.
Fast forward to now, and Snap has been working hard to address these issues. The upcoming Spectacles are reported to feature a wider field of view and improved battery life, making them more practical for extended use. However, these glasses are still primarily intended for developers and creators rather than everyday Snapchat users.
High cost, limited availability
One reason these new Spectacles won’t be hitting the mainstream market anytime soon is their cost. Each pair reportedly costs thousands of dollars to produce. As a result, Snap plans to manufacture fewer than 10,000 units, keeping the product as a niche offering within the developer community.
This strategy indicates that Snap is cautiously advancing its hardware ambitions. Despite past challenges, such as the Pixy selfie drone—a US$250 product discontinued just four months after its 2022 launch—Snap continues to explore innovative hardware solutions. The company even recalled the Pixy earlier this year following reports of a battery fire, adding to its hardware difficulties.
What this means for Snap’s future
While Snap’s AR Spectacles may not be ready for the masses, their development shows that the company is still very much invested in pushing the boundaries of what augmented reality can do. The improvements in the upcoming model, from enhanced battery life to a broader field of view, reflect Snap’s ongoing commitment to refining its technology and exploring new ways to integrate AR into everyday life.
As Snap prepares to showcase these new Spectacles at the Partner Summit, it will be interesting to see how the company positions this latest innovation. Whether they eventually find a broader audience or remain a tool for developers, these Spectacles represent a significant step in Snap’s journey to bring augmented reality closer to reality.
