Samsung Android XR Glasses vs. Ray-Ban Meta: Pre-orders Start November 12; Price Not Yet Announced

The first Android XR glasses from Samsung and Google have release dates, but no price. According to a partner that will be selling them, pre-orders open on November 12, 2026, and the first units are expected to reach customers in December. These aren’t display-equipped glasses, but audio glasses featuring the Gemini assistant. Their direct competitor is Ray-Ban Meta, which launched its third generation this year. Here’s an overview of what’s been confirmed, what’s still unknown, and how the two products differ.

What is verified

• Pre-orders: In its third-quarter earnings report, Warby Parker stated that it will begin accepting pre-orders for its first “Intelligent Eyewear” collection on November 12, 2026, and plans to ship to customers during the holiday season. The date, therefore, does not come from Samsung or Google. Google has not yet confirmed it itself.
• Release date: Gentle Monster, the second design partner, announced on November 6 that the collection will be released in December. Reports indicate deliveries will begin around mid-December.
• Markets: According to available reports, the product will launch first in the U.S. and South Korea. I haven’t found any announcements regarding a release in Slovakia or Europe.
• Price: Not announced. Samsung previously hinted that it would be in the “reasonably premium” range. Warby Parker is set to reveal the price on November 12 along with the entire collection. The brand’s own frames start at $95; the smart glasses will be priced above that level.
• Name: The product is officially referred to as “Intelligent Eyewear,” not “Android XR Smart Glasses.”

Who's Behind the Glasses

The hardware is manufactured by Samsung and powered by Qualcomm chips. The software is provided by Google: the Android XR operating system and the Gemini assistant. Two brands, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, are responsible for the frame designs, with each creating its own models. The Android XR platform already exists in the form of the Galaxy XR headset, which Samsung released earlier. The glasses are therefore a lighter, everyday version of that device.

What Glasses Do and Don't Have

• No display: These are audio-focused glasses. There is no display surface in the lenses. Models with a display are expected to be released later.
• Controls: voice commands and a touchpad on the frame.
• Assistant: Gemini. Features mentioned include turn-by-turn navigation, real-time translation, and voice assistance. I do not yet know the specific list of features or their availability in Slovak.
• Camera: According to reports, they will have one. The exact specifications and privacy measures for recording have not yet been announced.
• Compatibility: According to the product page of one of the partner brands in the U.S., it should work with both Android phones and iPhones. The range of features on each platform is currently unknown.
• Battery and weight: Specifications are not yet available.

Competitor: Ray-Ban Meta

Ray-Ban Meta glasses are currently the leading product in this category. Meta is developing them in partnership with EssilorLuxottica and, in September 2026, unveiled the third generation as well as a new audio-only version without a camera.

• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3): Prices start at $449 in the U.S., €449 in Europe, and £409 in the U.K. It features a 12-megapixel camera with 3K video recording and an LED light that alerts those around you when you’re taking a photo or recording a video. Battery life is up to 9 hours (Gen 2 had 8), and the case adds up to 50 hours. New features include a programmable button to activate the Meta AI assistant and a six-microphone array. They are available in Wayfarer, Aviator, and the new cat-eye-shaped Zena styles.
• Ray-Ban Meta Audio: a camera-less version priced at $349 in the U.S. (€349 in Italy). It supports the assistant and music playback, but does not record video.
• Meta Ray-Ban Display: glasses with a display and a wristband for gesture control. In Italy, France, and Germany, they cost 899 euros and go on sale October 13. Language support has not been confirmed in reports.

The Meta data is taken from reports from the fall of 2026. I have not verified the availability of specific models in Slovakia.

Comparison

For Samsung glasses, the column is preliminary. After November 12, it will need to be updated with actual data.

What matters most

• Assistant and language. The glasses are voice-controlled, so it depends on how well the assistant understands your speech. Support for Slovak on both Gemini and Meta AI needs to be verified in reviews; it cannot be automatically assumed.
• Ecosystem. Those who use Google services (Maps, Calendar, Translate) will find Gemini more familiar. Meta relies on its own assistant and its own apps.
• Availability and Service. Glasses that are readily available have an advantage over those not yet sold in Slovakia. When importing from abroad, you should expect complications with service, warranty, and prescription lenses.
• Prescription Lenses. Many users wear prescription glasses. When purchasing, find out how to order prescription lenses and how much they cost.
• Privacy. Camera glasses raise questions about the privacy of people nearby. Find out how recording notifications are handled and where the data is stored. Some businesses have already banned camera glasses.

What to Watch for on November 12

• Price and detailed list of models.
• Availability outside the U.S. and South Korea.
• List of Gemini features and supported languages.
• Battery life, weight, and water resistance.
• Camera policies, data storage, and privacy.
• Option for prescription lenses.

What to Take Away From This

• The dates are confirmed, but they come from the retailer and partner brand, not from Samsung or Google.
• The price and exact list of features will be announced on November 12. Compare them with the Ray-Ban Meta before buying.
• Availability in Slovakia, Slovak language support, and the price in euros are not yet known.
• Ray-Ban Meta has the edge: it’s already on the market, has three generations, features a 3K video camera, and is already being sold in Europe.