View source for Snap Spectacles 2

{{Device Infobox
|image=[[File:snap spectacles21.jpg|350px]]
|VR/AR=[[Augmented Reality]]
|Type=[[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype=[[Phone-Powered AR]]
|Platform=[[Snapchat]]
|Creator=
|Developer=[[Snap Inc.]]
|Manufacturer=[[Snap Inc.]]
|Announcement Date=April 26, 2018
|Release Date=April 26, 2018
|Price=$149.99
|Website=https://www.spectacles.com/
|Versions=Onyx, Ruby, Sapphire
|Requires=iPhone 7 or above running iOS 11+, Select Android devices running Android 6+
|Predecessor=[[Snap Spectacles]]
|Successor=[[Snap Spectacles 3]]
|Operating System=
|Chipset=
|CPU=
|GPU=
|HPU=
|Storage=4GB flash
|Memory=
|SD Card Slot=No
|Display=No display (camera only)
|Subpixel Layout=
|Peak Brightness=
|Resolution=1216 x 1216 (video), 1642 x 1642 (photos)
|Refresh Rate=60 fps
|Pixel Density=
|Persistence=
|Precision=
|Field of View=105° (camera)
|Horizontal FoV=
|Vertical FoV=
|Visible FoV=
|Rendered FoV=
|Binocular Overlap=
|Average Pixel Density=
|Peak Pixel Density=
|Foveated Rendering=
|Optics=
|Ocularity=
|IPD Range=
|Adjustable Diopter=
|Passthrough=
|Tracking=
|Tracking Frequency=
|Base Stations=
|Eye Tracking=No
|Face Tracking=No
|Hand Tracking=No
|Body Tracking=No
|Rotational Tracking=
|Positional Tracking=
|Update Rate=
|Tracking Volume=
|Play Space=
|Latency=
|Audio=Dual microphones
|Microphone=Yes (2 microphones)
|3.5mm Audio Jack=No
|Camera=Single HD camera
|Connectivity=Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi
|Ports=Proprietary charging pins
|Wired Video=No
|Wireless Video=Yes (via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi to smartphone)
|WiFi=Yes
|Bluetooth=Yes (5.0)
|Power=Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
|Battery Capacity=
|Battery Life=Up to 70 videos or 150 photos per charge
|Charge Time=
|Dimensions=
|Weight=Lighter than V1
|Material=Plastic frame
|Headstrap=N/A
|Haptics=No
|Color=Onyx (Midnight/Eclipse lenses), Ruby (Daybreak/Sunset lenses), Sapphire (Midnight/Twilight lenses)
|Sensors=
|Input=Single button for recording/photos
|Compliance=Water resistant (not waterproof)
|Size=
|Cable Length=
}}

__TOC__
==Introduction==

The '''Snap Spectacles 2''' (also known as '''Spectacles V2''' or '''Spectacles 2.0''') are the second generation of [[smart glasses]] developed by [[Snap Inc.]], announced and released on April 26, 2018. Building upon the foundation of the original [[Snap Spectacles|Spectacles]], this version introduced several key improvements including the ability to capture photos, water resistance, a more refined design, and faster syncing capabilities.<ref name="techcrunch">https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/26/snapchat-spectacles-2/</ref>

The second generation addressed many of the pain points from the original model while maintaining the core concept of fashionable sunglasses that capture moments from a first-person perspective for sharing on [[Snapchat]].<ref name="techradar">https://www.techradar.com/reviews/snapchat-spectacles-2</ref>

==Development and Release==

Following the mixed reception of the first generation Spectacles, which resulted in a $40 million write-off of unsold inventory, Snap Inc. took a more measured approach with the V2 release. The company was "more coy about sales numbers" and focused on fixing the biggest issues from V1.<ref name="bolt">https://blog.bolt.io/the-evolution-of-snap-spectacles-pt-i-craft-reveals-conviction/</ref>

Unlike the viral [[Snapbot]] vending machine distribution of the first generation, Spectacles 2 were sold exclusively online through Snap's website at launch. This allowed the company to better track demand and avoid overproduction.<ref name="wareable">https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snapchat-snap-spectacles-2-release-date-specs-price-2018</ref>

==Hardware Specifications==

===Design Improvements===
The Spectacles 2 featured a significantly more understated design compared to the bright, playful colors of the first generation:
* '''Frame''': Thinner, lighter plastic frame with more sophisticated styling<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>
* '''Colors''': Three frame options with two lens variations each:
** '''Onyx''': Black frame with Midnight or Eclipse lenses
** '''Ruby''': Red frame with Daybreak or Sunset lenses  
** '''Sapphire''': Blue frame with Midnight or Twilight lenses<ref name="techradar"></ref>
* '''Indicator Light''': Removed the permanent yellow ring around the camera; only white LEDs display while recording<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>
* '''Prescription Lenses''': Partnership with [[Lensabl]] for prescription lens options<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>

===Camera and Media Capture===
* '''Photo Capability''': New ability to capture still photos (hold button to snap)<ref name="wareable"></ref>
* '''Video Resolution''': 1216 x 1216 pixels at 60fps<ref name="newsweek">https://www.newsweek.com/snapchat-spectacles-v2-how-buy-where-get-price-903068</ref>
* '''Photo Resolution''': 1642 x 1642 pixels<ref name="wareable"></ref>
* '''Field of View''': Reduced from 115° to 105° to minimize fish-eye warping<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>
* '''Storage''': 4GB internal storage (up to 150 videos or 3,000 photos)<ref name="wareable"></ref>

===Connectivity and Performance===
* '''Transfer Speed''': 4x faster than V1 (average 10-second video transfers in 3 seconds vs 9 seconds)<ref name="wareable"></ref>
* '''Syncing''': Improved process requiring only Bluetooth and a 7-second button press (no QR code scan)<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>
* '''HD Transfer''': All exports now happen in HD over internal Wi-Fi<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>
* '''Auto-sync''': Automatic transfer to Snapchat when connected to home Wi-Fi<ref name="wareable"></ref>

===Durability===
* '''Water Resistance''': Can withstand pool jumps and rain (not recommended for deep diving)<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>
* '''Build Quality''': More durable construction than V1<ref name="wareable"></ref>

==Software Updates==

In June 2018, Snap released an update allowing users to export videos from the glasses in square or widescreen format, addressing user feedback about the circular video format.<ref name="wikipedia">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacles_(product)</ref>

A later Snapchat update allowed Snaps to be exported without the 'fisheye' look, which was one of the biggest complaints from users.<ref name="techradar"></ref>

==Pricing and Availability==

* '''Launch Price''': $149.99 (USD) - $20 more than the original<ref name="newsweek"></ref>
* '''What's Included''': Spectacles, charging case, charging cable<ref name="newsweek"></ref>
* '''Distribution''': Initially sold only on Spectacles.com; no Amazon availability at launch<ref name="newsweek"></ref>
* '''Markets''': Initially U.S., Canada, U.K., and France, expanding to 13 more European countries on May 3, 2018<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>

==Reception==

The Spectacles 2 received mixed reviews:

===Improvements Praised===
* More sophisticated, wearable design
* Addition of photo capability
* Significantly faster syncing
* Water resistance
* Better build quality

===Continuing Limitations===
* Still limited to Snapchat ecosystem
* Filters and effects can only be added post-capture
* Continuous upload still not seamless
* Higher price point
* Limited battery life remained an issue<ref name="wareable"></ref>

Despite improvements, the glasses still struggled to find a mass market. VP of hardware Mark Randall acknowledged that while the company felt "pretty good about shipping 220,000 pairs" of V1, V2 sales were not expected to be dramatically different.<ref name="techcrunch"></ref>

==Legacy==

The Spectacles 2 represented an important iterative step in Snap's hardware journey. By addressing the most glaring issues from V1 while maintaining a reasonable price point, Snap demonstrated commitment to the long-term vision of wearable AR technology despite initial setbacks.<ref name="bolt"></ref>

The lessons learned from V2's more refined approach to both design and distribution would inform the company's bold leap to dual-camera 3D capture in [[Snap Spectacles 3|Spectacles 3]] the following year.

==Images==
[[File:snap spectacles21.jpg|400px]]

[[File:snap spectacles22.jpg|400px]]
==See Also==
* [[Snap Spectacles]]
* [[Snap Spectacles 3]]
* [[Snapchat]]
* [[Augmented Reality]]
* [[Smart Glasses]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="techcrunch">https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/26/snapchat-spectacles-2/</ref>
<ref name="techradar">https://www.techradar.com/reviews/snapchat-spectacles-2</ref>
<ref name="bolt">https://blog.bolt.io/the-evolution-of-snap-spectacles-pt-i-craft-reveals-conviction/</ref>
<ref name="wareable">https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snapchat-snap-spectacles-2-release-date-specs-price-2018</ref>
<ref name="newsweek">https://www.newsweek.com/snapchat-spectacles-v2-how-buy-where-get-price-903068</ref>
<ref name="wikipedia">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacles_(product)</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Augmented Reality Devices]]
[[Category:Smart Glasses]]
[[Category:Snap Inc.]]
[[Category:2018 in Technology]]