Google and Samsung Open Preorders for AI Glasses From $395

Screenless frames bet on voice, a camera and the phone in your pocket. Preorders are open in the US, but price, iPhone limits and privacy trade-offs deserve a careful read…

Would you wear a camera and microphones on your face if it could read a menu aloud? Google and Samsung are betting some people will. On Nov. 12, 2026, the two companies opened preorders for their first Google AI glasses, built with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Google and Samsung say the glasses go on sale Dec. 10 in the US and South Korea.

This post sticks to what the companies have published and what outlets confirmed. Google’s own announcement and Samsung’s newsroom post supply the core facts. Android Central, Android Police and Engadget add outside reporting. These are preorders, not shipping products, and no independent hands-on review was available when this was written.

What Google and Samsung Say You Are Buying

The glasses run Google’s Android XR software with the Gemini assistant. They are screenless. You get open-ear speakers, four microphones, a camera, and touch or voice controls. Android Police reports the first generation has no built-in display, and none of the official pages describe one.

Google says Warby Parker frames start at $395. Google lists Gentle Monster from $449, and Samsung gives a $449 to $489 range depending on the model. Warby Parker offers three styles, and Gentle Monster offers six. Samsung says each pair weighs around 41 grams, and Google and Samsung both claim up to nine hours of battery life. Samsung’s footnote calls that a mixed-use estimate. The charging case adds roughly seven more charges, according to Google.

The camera is rated at 12 megapixels. Google calls it ultra-wide, and Samsung lists 3K video at 30 frames per second. Every one of these figures is vendor-reported. Treat them as claims until reviewers test the glasses.

What the Glasses Can Do With Gemini

You say “Hey Gemini” or tap the frame. Google says you can then ask about what you are looking at, take photos and video by voice, hear Google Maps turn-by-turn directions, and get real-time translation in more than 70 languages. You can also take calls, hear messages read aloud, and control music. Samsung adds a Galaxy-specific trick: capture a whiteboard and have Gemini summarize it into Samsung Notes.

For people who are blind or have low vision, Google highlights Guided Vision. It gives spoken descriptions of scenes, reads text, and helps find items. Aira, which connects you to a human visual interpreter, also works on the glasses. Google says both are Android-only at launch, and Aira may require a subscription. Google adds that Guided Vision is AI that can make mistakes and is not a mobility aid or a replacement for a white cane. For a related look at voice navigation on glasses, see our report on Meta AI glasses walking directions.

Prescription Lenses, Phones and Who Can Buy

Glasses wearers are not left out. Google says prescription options are available for most Gentle Monster frames. Warby Parker offers a range of prescription, width and lens options. Final cost depends on your lenses and frame, so the starting prices will not match every checkout total.

You also need a compatible phone. Google lists Pixel 7 and newer, recent Samsung Galaxy S, Z Fold and Z Flip models on One UI 9.0 or higher, and iPhones. The sources disagree on the iPhone line. Google’s blog says iPhone 13 Pro and above. Samsung and Google’s glasses page say iPhone 13 and later with at least 6GB of RAM on iOS 26.6 or later. Check the current list before you order. Buyers must be 18 or older with a Google account from the US or South Korea.

Privacy Limits and Open Questions

A camera on your face affects other people, not just you. Google and Samsung say an indicator light shows when the camera is active. They also say the glasses are designed to stop recording if the light is covered. Google says Gemini redacts bystanders’ faces before processing, does not use camera visuals for AI training or ad targeting, and puts an off switch on every pair. Those are company statements. Outside testers have not yet checked them.

Other limits are plain. Gemini needs a Bluetooth link to your phone for most tasks. Some features need specific apps. Hands-on demos are only planned at select stores from Dec. 10. Android Police notes that other Android brands such as Honor, Xiaomi and Oppo are not supported. Real-world battery life, comfort over a full day, and how well Guided Vision performs are all unproven. Android Police also described the pricing as not cheap, while Android Central compared it favorably with Meta’s glasses. Both are opinions, so weigh them against your own budget.

Why It Matters to You

If you already wear prescription glasses, this is a familiar form to try, and demos arrive Dec. 10. People who are blind or have low vision may find spoken scene descriptions useful, though Google says it is no replacement for a cane. Travelers get translation and directions without pulling out a phone. At $395 and up, plus lenses, it is a real purchase for something unreviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these glasses have a screen?

No display is described on the official pages. Android Police reports the first generation is screenless and audio-first.

Can I use them with an iPhone?

Yes, on supported models, but Guided Vision and Aira are Android-only at launch, and the sources differ on the exact iPhone model.

When can I get a pair?

Preorders opened Nov. 12. Google says purchase in stores and online starts Dec. 10 in the US and South Korea.