Warby Parker Launches AI-Powered Smart Glasses to Challenge Meta's Market Lead

Warby Parker Launches AI-Powered Smart Glasses to Challenge Meta’s Market Lead

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5.29.2026

Quick Facts

Warby Parker unveiled its first Intelligent Eyewear frames powered by Google Gemini AI, launching fall 2024
The smart glasses feature speakers, cameras, and AI capabilities in partnership with Google and Samsung
Smart glasses market expected to grow from $500 million in 2024 to $4.2 billion by 2028

Warby Parker announced its entry into the smart glasses market with Intelligent Eyewear frames that integrate Google’s Gemini AI assistant. The company partnered with Google and Samsung to develop the frames, which launch this fall.

The glasses feature speakers, cameras, and AI access built into a lightweight nylon frame available as sunglasses and prescription glasses. Users can ask Gemini about objects in their field of view, get turn-by-turn navigation through Google Maps, and manage calls and messages through voice commands.

“Glasses are the most personal technology we use, and are the very first thing people notice about you,” said Dave Gilboa, Warby Parker co-founder and co-CEO. He reported his smartphone screen time dropped 60% while testing prototypes.

The move positions Warby Parker against Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which generated $2.15 billion in hardware revenue in 2025 and shipped over 6.5 million units. Meta’s glasses currently sell for $390 to $500, though Warby Parker has not disclosed pricing.

Smart glasses represent the fastest-growing segment in extended reality hardware. The category shipped 7.25 million units in 2025, representing half of all XR hardware sold globally. Market research firm Bank of America projects smart glasses revenue will reach $4.2 billion by 2028, up from less than $500 million in 2024.

Google’s partnership with Warby Parker, Samsung, and Gentle Monster signals a direct challenge to Meta’s market dominance. The collaboration combines Samsung’s hardware engineering with Google’s AI technology and Warby Parker’s eyewear design expertise.

The smart glasses will support prescription lenses and offer multiple optical and sun styles. Google plans two versions: audio glasses that provide spoken assistance and display glasses that show visual information, with the audio version shipping first.

Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal emphasized the focus on everyday wearability. “These glasses give you powerful new tools, but they’re designed to feel intuitive and unobtrusive so you can stay focused on the people and moments in front of you,” he said.

Warby Parker’s expansion into wearable technology comes as the company faces slowing customer growth. Active customer growth decelerated from 9.3% in Q3 2025 to 4.8% in Q1 2026, though revenue grew 8.3% year-over-year to $242.4 million in the first quarter.