Snap has unveiled SPECS: standalone AR glasses with powerful hardware and a price tag of $2195
Snap Inc. has officially announced SPECS — a portable computer in the form factor of augmented reality glasses. The device is already available for pre-order at a price of $2195, with shipments to the US, UK, and France starting this fall.
The key difference between SPECS and many competitors is its full autonomy. The glasses operate without connecting to a smartphone or external modules. The device weighs between 132 and 136 grams, with a body made of TR90 polymer. Inside, two Snapdragon processors are installed, and the field of view reaches 51 degrees. Signal latency is just 7 milliseconds, which is critical for AR applications. Battery life is up to 4 hours on a single charge and up to 20 hours with the case.
The lenses of the glasses are equipped with an electrochromic coating that changes the tint level in 10 seconds depending on lighting conditions. The device runs on its own operating system, Snap OS, with support for gesture and voice control. Users have access to navigation and work tools, as well as educational applications.
Developers have received an updated Lens Studio toolkit for creating AR effects. AI assistants capable of analyzing the surrounding environment in real time are integrated into the system. Snap has also paid special attention to data protection: the glasses are equipped with an LED indicator that lights up during video recording. Most data is processed directly on the device without being sent to the cloud. Users can independently manage their sync history and delete recordings.
My comment: SPECS is a significant step forward for Snap. Autonomy and powerful hardware make them a unique product in the AR market. However, the price of $2195 is clearly aimed at enthusiasts and developers. Such glasses are not yet affordable for the mass user, but for niche scenarios — such as industrial design or remote assistance — this could be a breakthrough. It will be interesting to see how Meta reacts, especially after it recently removed facial recognition from its smart glasses following a scandal.