Samsung’s new Galaxy Glasses look just like Meta Ray-Bans, but I think they have one big advantage

We’ve been hearing about Samsung and Google’s partnership on Android XR for a while now, and thanks to a new leak, we finally have a clear look at what the two tech giants are bringing to the smart AR glasses market. According to a new report from Android Headlines, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Glasses—codenamed “Jinju”—are nearing release, and they have their sights set squarely on Meta’s incredibly popular Ray-Ban wearables.

A familiar design with solid internals

Looking at the leaked testing unit details, it’s obvious Samsung isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to design. The Galaxy Glasses look nearly identical to Meta’s Ray-Bans, opting for a traditional, thick-framed Wayfarer-style sunglass aesthetic rather than a bulky sci-fi headset.

Under the hood, here is what we are currently expecting based on the leaked testing unit:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1
• Camera: 12MP Sony IMX681
• Battery: 155mAh
• Audio: Bone-conduction tech
• Platform: Android XR (with native Gemini)

If you were hoping for a built-in display, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. This initial model won’t have one, which should hopefully keep the price relatively grounded. Rumors point to a $379 to $499 price tag, putting them in direct competition with Meta’s current lineup. Samsung is reportedly saving the micro-LED displays for a more premium pair (codenamed “Haean”) slated for 2027, which will likely cost somewhere in the $600 to $900 range.

The big Gemini advantage

While Meta definitely has a massive head start in this space with millions of units already sold, I actually think Samsung has a massive ace up its sleeve: Gemini.

The Galaxy Glasses will run on the new Android XR platform, meaning Gemini is baked right in. Being able to look at a sign and have Gemini seamlessly translate it, get real-time walking directions via Google Maps, or just ask contextual questions about what you are looking at will make these way more useful to me than Meta’s current AI offerings.

And because they look and feel like normal eyewear, these Android XR smart glasses offer a much more accessible and integrated Android experience. Honestly, if Samsung and Google nail the software, I really believe these Galaxy Glasses have the potential to become just as commonplace as our smartphones, completely transforming how we interact with the digital world around us.

With Google I/O happening next month and Samsung’s Summer Unpacked event likely happening in July, I’d imagine we are going to see these officially announced very soon!