Snap’s new AR Spectacles will cost $99 for a monthly subscription
The glasses bring AI and hand-tracking to AR, but early feedback and Meta’s upcoming release could influence their future success.
Snap has officially announced the release of its fifth-generation Spectacles, offering developers a glimpse into what could be the future of augmented reality (AR).
The new glasses come three years after the fourth-generation model, which marked Snap’s first foray into AR wearables. Now, with Meta also preparing to unveil its Orion AR glasses, the competition in this space is heating up.
Kelechi Edeh
But Snap’s Spectacles have arrived first, bringing a host of exciting features designed to push AR technology further.
Among the key upgrades is the 46-degree field of view, almost double the fourth-generation Spectacles 26.3 degrees. Combined with 37 pixels per degree resolution and auto-tinting lenses, the glasses aim to improve visual clarity, especially outdoors. However, some early testers note that the expanded view may not yet deliver the full immersion AR technology is striving for.
The introduction of Snap OS also brings hand-tracking capabilities, allowing users to interact with AR content through gestures. Alongside this, multi-modal generative AI lets users browse the web, create 3D assets, and view spatially arranged videos. While these features offer new levels of interactivity, early feedback suggests that hand tracking might not always be as precise, particularly during fast movements.
In terms of performance, the battery life now reaches 45 minutes, up from 30 minutes in the fourth-generation model, though it may still feel limiting for more demanding AR applications. On the upside, the new dual Qualcomm Snapdragon processors seem to have addressed the overheating issues of earlier models of the Spectacles, promising a more stable experience.
Another issue reported by early testers is the weight. At 226 grams, the new Spectacles are significantly heavier than the fourth generation’s 134 grams. Although Snap says the added weight accommodates more advanced hardware, it could still be too bulky for extended use, particularly for casual wear.
Currently, Snap is offering these Spectacles through a $99-per-month subscription, totalling $1,188 annually, and has kept access exclusive to developers for now.
But with Meta’s Orion AR glasses rumoured to include features that could compete better in areas like immersion and usability, the AR space might become even more competitive for Snap’s new Spectacles.
Additionally, whether the Spectacles will capture broader attention may also depend on how well the company can address feedback on comfort, hand-tracking precision, and battery life before a wider release.
