Snap Inc. is gearing up for its biggest hardware bet yet. CEO Evan Spiegel has confirmed that a new, ultra-lightweight version of Snap’s iconic “Specs” smart glasses is coming in 2025, part of a bold plan to beat Meta and Google in the race for wearable AR dominance.
Speaking at a closed-door developer event this week, Spiegel called the next-gen Specs “our most advanced and most wearable device yet,” noting that the design would be sleeker, more powerful, and better integrated with Snap’s growing AR ecosystem.
A Quiet Comeback for Spectacles
Snap’s original Spectacles launched in 2016 with viral buzz but limited traction. Later iterations focused on AR, but struggled with adoption. Now, as mentioned by Millionaire MNL, the company is repositioning Specs not just as a camera, but as a fully functional augmented reality tool.
Spiegel said the new glasses will weigh under 50 grams, feature improved field-of-view, and ship with real-time AI enhancements powered by Snap’s in-house Vision chip. They’ll also support seamless connection with Snapchat’s Lens Studio, Snap’s AR development platform.
The Competitive Clock Is Ticking
Meta and Google are both working behind the scenes on their own AR eyewear. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have already launched to consumer acclaim, and Google has quietly restarted internal development on a new Glass project after acquiring key startups.
But Spiegel believes Snap’s early AR investments, developer loyalty, and design DNA give it an edge. “We’ve been building toward this moment for nearly a decade,” he told internal teams.
Not Just for Creators
While Snap has often targeted creators with its hardware, the 2025 version of Specs is intended for broader consumer use. “We want to put AR in people’s lives, not just on stages,” a Snap spokesperson said. That means long battery life, improved comfort, and use cases that go beyond video capture, like real-time translation, visual search, and navigation.
Developers are already getting early access to prototype hardware, with Spiegel hinting at a larger push during Snap’s next Partner Summit.
Why This Matters for Snap’s Future
Snap’s ad business has faced mounting pressure from privacy changes and stiff competition. But its long-term vision still hinges on AR. As the company sees it, whoever owns the future of spatial computing owns the future of consumer tech.
Snap’s share price rose 3% on the news, signaling investor enthusiasm for a hardware strategy that may finally be hitting its stride.
If the new Specs deliver as promised, Spiegel might do what many doubted, turn Snap into a hardware player just as the wearable wars heat up.
