Snap officially unveiled SPECS: standalone AR glasses with AI and a price tag of $2195
Snap Inc. has launched its most ambitious device ever — a portable computer in the form factor of augmented reality glasses called SPECS. The device is already available for pre-order at a price of $2,195, with initial shipments to the US, UK, and France starting this fall.
Autonomy and Design
The key feature of SPECS is full autonomy. Unlike many predecessors, these glasses do not require a connection to a smartphone or an external computing module. The device weighs between 132 and 136 grams, and the body is made of high-strength TR90 polymer.
Technical Specifications
From an engineering perspective, SPECS are impressive: a 51-degree field of view, two Snapdragon processors, and a signal latency of just 7 milliseconds. The battery provides up to 4 hours of continuous operation, and with the charging case, this figure increases to 20 hours.
The lenses are equipped with an electrochromic coating that automatically adjusts the tint level depending on lighting conditions — the process takes just 10 seconds.
Software Ecosystem and AI
The device runs on the proprietary Snap OS operating system. Control is implemented through gestures and voice commands. Users have access to navigation services, work tools, and educational applications. Developers have received an updated Lens Studio toolkit for creating AR effects, and AI assistants capable of analyzing the surrounding environment in real time are integrated into the system.
Privacy as a Priority
Snap has paid special attention to data protection. The glasses are equipped with an LED indicator that activates during video recording. Most computations are performed directly on the device, without sending data to the cloud. Users can independently manage their sync history and delete recordings.
My comment as an analyst: Snap has taken a bold step by offering a fully autonomous AR device. However, the $2,195 price tag and limited launch geography indicate that this is more of a premium product for developers and enthusiasts, rather than a mass-market device. The question is whether Snap can compete with Meta, which is already actively testing its smart glasses, especially after the recent facial recognition scandal.