Snap Launches Specs AR Glasses for the Consumer Market
Snap has introduced its first consumer-focused augmented reality glasses, called Specs, at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California. The standalone device costs $2,195, and the company sees it as a key step toward a future beyond smartphones.
During a keynote titled “Making Computing More Human,” CEO Evan Spiegel presented the glasses as the next stage of technology interaction in the era of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, preorders opened on Tuesday with a refundable deposit. The company expects to begin shipping the device this fall in the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Features and Performance
Specs run on two Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and provide up to four hours of battery life. In addition, the charging case offers four extra charges. Compared with the developer-only fifth-generation Spectacles released in 2024, the new model delivers significant improvements. The earlier version weighed 226 grams and operated for only 45 minutes on a single charge.
Specs offer the capability of some “more expensive headsets with the wearability of smart glasses at a more accessible price point,” Spiegel told Reuters.
The glasses operate without external devices and feature see-through lenses that place digital content into three-dimensional space. Users can interact with content through hand gestures and voice commands powered by Snap OS. However, Spiegel noted that memory chip costs “have been quite impactful.” He also said the company aims to introduce more affordable versions in the future.
Investor Concerns and Competitive Landscape
Following the announcement, Snap shares rose more than 3%. However, the launch arrives amid ongoing pressure from activist investor Irenic Capital Management, which owns a 2.5% stake in the company. The investor has urged the company to sell or shut down its AR glasses division, arguing that the project has consumed more than $3.5 billion so far.
Spiegel rejected those calls during an interview with Reuters, saying the newly launched glasses are “integral to the company’s long-term vision”.
The debate highlights the importance of the AR initiative for the company. Earlier this year, Snap laid off about 1,000 employees as part of a $500 million cost-reduction program that was partly influenced by activist pressure.
At $2,195, Specs cost less than the Apple Vision Pro headset, which is priced at $3,499. However, they remain significantly more expensive than Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which do not include immersive augmented reality displays. Meanwhile, Meta continues to develop its own full AR glasses, Orion, with a planned launch in 2027.
