Snap unveils Specs, standalone AR glasses that ditch the puck

After a decade of experimenting with smart glasses and five years developing AR-enabled frames, Snap has released Specs, its first consumer AR glasses capable of replicating much of a mixed reality headset's functionality without a separate puck, controller, or tethered connection.

Fit and design

Specs come in two sizes, 47mm and 52mm frames. At 132 grams, they weigh nearly twice as much as Meta's display-enabled glasses, but the weight is distributed more evenly around the head. During testing, the glasses stayed snug and didn't slip, even when the wearer shook their head.

Controls and display

Two built-in cameras enable hand-tracking: users point with an index finger to move a cursor and pinch to select. The display was described as bright and easy to see, though quality varied with lighting conditions. A key improvement over the prior generation is that AR content can now "anchor" and follow the wearer as they move through a space, and the field of view has grown to 51 degrees.

Applications

During the demo, testers tried a walking-navigation app, a real-time translation tool converting spoken Italian into English captions, and a game of dominoes played against another Specs wearer, showcasing shared AR experiences. Snap has also added a "travel mode" for watching streaming video as a passenger in a moving vehicle.

Battery and pricing

Snap says Specs offer up to four hours of battery life under mixed use. A separate $200 charging case with cellular connectivity, offering up to four extra charges, is also available; pricing for cellular data plans with partners including Verizon has not yet been announced. Given the price and bulk, questions remain about whether Specs will appeal beyond AR enthusiasts. The glasses are available for pre-order now, with shipping expected later this fall in the US, UK, and France.