Direct answer: Google and Samsung’s Intelligent Eyewear is now open for pre-order, with general availability scheduled for December 10, 2026. Warby Parker models start at $395 in the US; Gentle Monster models cost $449–$489 and launch in the US and South Korea. Before ordering, check your exact phone, account country, prescription choice and return/support route—official Google and Samsung pages currently describe iPhone compatibility differently.[1][6]
Quick buyer checklist
Do these checks before paying:
- Confirm the sales market. Warby Parker launches in the US. Gentle Monster launches in the US and South Korea.[1][6]
- Confirm your account country. Activation requires an eligible adult Google Account associated with an official sales market; Samsung says a Samsung account may also be required depending on the phone.[1][6]
- Check the exact phone model and software version. See the compatibility table below.[1][6]
- Treat regular iPhone 13 support as uncertain for now. Samsung lists iPhone 13 and later with at least 6 GB RAM, while Google’s launch footnote says iPhone 13 Pro and later.[1][6]
- Choose optical or sun lenses and verify prescription availability. Most Gentle Monster frames offer prescription options; Warby Parker offers optical and sun styles with prescription, width and lens choices.[1]
- Try the fit if possible. The temples are not adjustable, according to Samsung, so frame size matters.[6]
- Read the camera and privacy controls. The glasses include a 12 MP camera, microphones and an outward recording light.[1][3][6]
- Check the support route. Samsung says Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are the primary contacts for fit, damage, replacement and service, with options varying by market.[6]
Price, release date and where to buy
Pre-orders opened on November 12, and the official release date is December 10, 2026.[1][6]
- Warby Parker Intelligent Eyewear: starts at $395 in the United States.[1][6]
- Gentle Monster Intelligent Eyewear: $449–$489 in the United States; the collection also launches in South Korea.[1][6]
- Warby Parker styles: Alden, Reid and Wren, offered in optical or sun versions and multiple widths, colors and lens configurations.[1]
- Gentle Monster styles: six frame designs and 16 variations, with prescription options available for most frames.[1][6]
Pre-orders are available through the brands’ official online and retail channels. Google also says hands-on demonstrations are available at selected Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Google Store locations; Samsung says selected Samsung retail demos begin December 10.[1][6]
Useful official links:
- Warby Parker Intelligent Eyewear[4]
- Gentle Monster Intelligent Eyewear[5]
- Google launch announcement[1]
- Samsung product announcement and specifications[6]
Phone compatibility: check this before ordering
The official Samsung compatibility list says the glasses support:[6]
- Samsung Galaxy: Galaxy S, Galaxy S FE, Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip and Z Fold Ultra series running One UI 9.0 or later.
- Google Pixel: Pixel 7 series or later running the Android 17 September 2026 update or later.
- iPhone: iPhone 13 or later, with at least 6 GB RAM, running iOS 26.6 or later.
However, Google’s launch announcement lists iPhone 13 Pro and later, not every iPhone 13 model.[1] Because those two official pages conflict, owners of a regular iPhone 13 should not assume compatibility from the broader Samsung wording. Check the live checkout compatibility notice or get written confirmation from the retailer before ordering.
A compatible phone is required for the full Gemini experience. Samsung says the glasses can independently handle limited functions such as volume control, photos and video, but conversational and visual Gemini features require pairing with a compatible phone.[6]
Account and region restriction
Google says Intelligent Eyewear is available for use with eligible adult Google Accounts from the United States and South Korea.[1] Samsung adds that activation requires an account associated with an official sales market and that a Samsung account may be needed depending on the connected phone. After activation, use outside the sales market may be possible, but some features can be limited.[6]
That means importing a pair is risky: compatible hardware alone may not be enough to activate every feature.[1][6]
What the glasses can do
These first collections are audio-first intelligent glasses rather than glasses with an information display in the lenses. They use open-ear speakers, microphones, a camera and Gemini to provide spoken help.[1][4][6]
Supported experiences described by Google, Samsung and the eyewear brands include:
- asking Gemini questions about objects, signs or places you are looking at;[1][4][6]
- real-time spoken translation and automatic language detection across more than 70 languages;[1]
- turn-by-turn Google Maps directions delivered through the speakers;[1][4][6]
- taking photos and videos by voice or button;[1][4][6]
- calls, messages, reminders and notification assistance;[1][4][6]
- music and audio through open-ear speakers;[1][4][5]
- Guided Vision audio descriptions and optional Aira visual-interpreter access for eligible users and devices.[1]
Guided Vision is not a medical device, mobility aid, obstacle detector or replacement for a white cane, and Google warns that AI can make mistakes. At launch, Guided Vision and Aira require a compatible Android phone and may require a subscription or membership.[1]
Hardware specifications that matter
Samsung’s official specification sheet lists:[6]
- approximately 41 g weight, varying by frame and lens configuration;
- Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 processor;
- 12 MP HDR camera;
- photo capture at 3,024 × 4,032;
- video up to 3K at 30 fps, with HDR supported up to 2K;
- two open-ear speakers and four microphones;
- 2 GB memory and 64 GB storage;
- touch and voice controls;
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4;
- IPX4 splash resistance for the glasses;
- up to nine hours of mixed-use battery life and up to 72 hours with a charged case.
Battery life varies with recording, Gemini use, music, messaging, network conditions and settings.[1][6] IPX4 is protection against splashes, light rain and sweat—not permission to swim or submerge the glasses.[6]
Privacy checklist for camera glasses
Google and Samsung describe several protections for the wearer and nearby people:[3][6]
- an outward-facing LED lights when a gallery photo or video is being captured;
- camera capture is designed to stop if the LED is covered, disabled or not working;
- visuals used to answer Gemini questions are not saved in Gemini History;
- those Gemini visuals are not used for AI training or ad targeting;
- data on the glasses and data moving to a phone or cloud service is encrypted;
- bystander faces are designed to be redacted before Gemini processes the visual request;
- camera access is controlled per app;
- the frames have a physical power switch.
There is an important distinction: if you ask Gemini to take a photo or video, that media is stored in your gallery.[3] Gemini conversations can also be saved in Gemini History, where you can review or delete them and change personalization and model-improvement settings.[3]
Five settings to review on day one
- Open Gemini History and choose the retention and model-improvement settings you want.
- Review camera and microphone access for every connected app.
- Test the external recording indicator and do not cover it.
- Turn off notifications you do not want read aloud.
- Use the physical off switch in private, sensitive or camera-restricted places.
Local laws, workplace rules and venue policies still apply.[6] Ask permission before recording people, and do not use the glasses where cameras or audio recording are prohibited.[3][6]
Warby Parker vs Gentle Monster
Choose Warby Parker if the lower starting price, US retail fitting network, multiple widths or familiar optical styles matter most. Its three core designs are available in optical and sun configurations starting at $395.[1]
Choose Gentle Monster if you prefer bolder fashion frames or need official availability in South Korea. Its six designs start at $449, with some models reaching $489, and prescription options are available for most frames.[1][6]
The core electronics and major Gemini capabilities are shared, so the practical decision is mainly price, fit, style, lens availability and local support.[1][6] Do not buy on frame appearance alone: the temples are not adjustable, and prescription lenses can change weight and final cost.[6]
Should you pre-order or wait?
Pre-order only if your phone and account are clearly supported, you can confirm the exact lens configuration, and the retailer’s return terms cover fit or early software limitations.
Wait for reviews if you need all-day battery under heavy camera/Gemini use, depend on one accessibility feature, own a regular iPhone 13, live outside the US or South Korea, or want proof of call quality, translation accuracy and real-world privacy behavior.
The official specifications establish what the product is designed to do; they are not independent performance tests.[1][6] Waiting until after December 10 should produce better evidence about battery life, comfort, prescription handling and feature differences across Android and iPhone.
FAQ
When does Google Intelligent Eyewear launch?
Pre-orders opened November 12, 2026. General availability is scheduled for December 10, 2026.[1][6]
How much does it cost?
Warby Parker starts at $395 in the US. Gentle Monster costs $449–$489, depending on the model.[1][6]
Does it work with iPhone?
Yes, but the official compatibility pages conflict at the lower boundary. Samsung lists iPhone 13 and later with at least 6 GB RAM and iOS 26.6 or later; Google lists iPhone 13 Pro and later. Owners of a regular iPhone 13 should confirm support before purchasing.[1][6]
Do the glasses have a display?
These launch models are audio-first glasses. Assistance is delivered through open-ear speakers, while the camera provides visual context to Gemini.[1][4][6]
Can the glasses work without a phone?
Limited functions such as volume control and photo/video capture can work independently. A compatible paired phone is required for the full Gemini conversational and visual AI experience.[6]
Are prescription lenses available?
Yes. Warby Parker offers prescription and lens options across its optical and sun styles, while Google says prescription options are available for most Gentle Monster frames.[1]
Can I use them in rain?
The glasses are rated IPX4 for splashes, light rain and sweat. They are not described as waterproof or suitable for submersion.[6]
Are camera visuals used to train Gemini?
Google says visuals captured for Gemini questions are not used for AI model training or ad targeting. Photos or videos you intentionally capture are stored in your gallery.[3]
Sources
- Google intelligent eyewear collections and pre-orders
- Google intelligent eyewear privacy protections
- Warby Parker Intelligent Eyewear
- Gentle Monster Intelligent Eyewear
- Samsung Intelligent Eyewear December release announcement