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|Developer = [[Snap Inc.]]
|Developer = [[Snap Inc.]]
|Manufacturer = [[Snap Inc.]]
|Manufacturer = [[Snap Inc.]]
|Announcement Date = September 17, 2024 (Snap Partner Summit)
|Release Date = September 17, 2024 (5th gen)
|Release Date = 2024 (Developer program)
|Announcement Date = September 17, 2024 (SPS 2024)
|Price = $99/month (developer subscription)
|Price = $99/month ($1,200/year subscription, developer-only)
|Website = https://www.spectacles.com/
|Website = https://www.snap.com/
|Predecessor = [[Snap Spectacles 4]]
|Predecessor = [[Snap Spectacles 4]]
|Chipset = Dual [[Qualcomm Snapdragon]] processors
|Chipset = Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon
|Display = LCoS + Optical Waveguide
|Display = LCoS (dual)
|Resolution = 37 pixels per degree
|PPD = 37 PPD
|Refresh Rate = Variable
|Field of View = 46° diagonal
|Field of View = 46° diagonal
|Equivalent Screen Size = 100" (at 10 feet)
|Equivalent Screen Size = 100 inch at 10 feet
|Ocularity = Binocular (stereo)
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Tracking = 6DoF (inside-out)
|Eye Tracking = Integrated
|Hand Tracking = Yes
|Hand Tracking = 4-camera system
|Cameras = 2x RGB (high-resolution), 2x IR (computer vision)
|Cameras = 4
|Audio = Stereo speakers (spatial audio)
|Microphones = 6
|Microphones = 6 microphones
|Audio = Stereo speakers
|Connectivity = Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
|Latency = 13ms motion-to-photon
|Auto Tint = Yes
|Battery = 45 minutes
|Weight = 226g
|Weight = 226g
}}
}}


The '''Snap Spectacles''' (5th generation) is a standalone [[augmented reality]] [[smart glasses]] developed by [[Snap Inc.]], unveiled on September 17, 2024 at the Snap Partner Summit. Representing a decade of R&D, the 5th generation Spectacles are Snap's most advanced AR glasses, featuring optical waveguides with billions of nanostructures, LCoS display technology delivering 46° FOV at 37 pixels per degree, dual Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, 6DoF tracking, and hand tracking capabilities. Available through a $99/month developer subscription program, the Spectacles run Snap OS and are designed to merge digital content with the real world in a standalone, glasses-style form factor weighing less than half of typical VR headsets.
The '''Snap Spectacles''' (5th generation, 2024) is a standalone [[augmented reality]] glasses device developed by [[Snap Inc.]], unveiled September 17, 2024 at Snap Partner Summit at $99/month subscription ($1,200/year, developer-only). Featuring dual LCoS projectors with 46° diagonal FOV (37 pixels per degree, comparable to Apple Vision Pro), dual Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with titanium vapor chamber cooling, 4-camera spatial understanding and hand tracking, 13ms motion-to-photon latency, Snap OS operating system with OpenAI partnership, and 45 minutes battery life. Targeting developers with over 4 million compatible Snapchat Lenses.


== History and Development ==
== History and Development ==


Snap CEO Evan Spiegel unveiled the 5th generation Spectacles on September 17, 2024, marking the most significant advancement in the Spectacles line since the original 2016 camera sunglasses. The new Spectacles represent years of R&D investment, including Snap's acquisitions of WaveOptics (waveguide technology) and Compound Photonics (LCoS display technology). Unlike previous consumer-focused generations, the 5th gen is initially available only to developers through a $99/month subscription program, with consumer availability planned for later.<ref name="snap">{{cite web |url=https://newsroom.snap.com/sps-2024-spectacles-snapos |title=Introducing New Spectacles and Snap OS: The Next Frontier of AR Glasses |publisher=Snap Inc. |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
Snap Inc. announced the fifth-generation Spectacles at Snap Partner Summit on September 17, 2024. The 5th gen represents a significant leap from the 4th generation (2021), which had only 26° FOV and 30 minutes battery. Available exclusively to developers on a subscription model, Spectacles '24 aims to establish an AR lens ecosystem before potential consumer launch. Snap announced lighter consumer "Specs" for 2026 release.<ref name="snap">{{cite web |url=https://newsroom.snap.com/sps-2024-spectacles-snapos |title=SPS 2024 Spectacles |publisher=Snap Inc. |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== Design and Hardware ==
== Design and Hardware ==
Line 38: Line 39:
=== Display ===
=== Display ===


Advanced optical waveguide system:
LCoS micro-projectors:


* '''LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)''' projectors
* '''37 pixels per degree''' (PPD)
* '''Optical waveguides''' with billions of nanostructures
* '''46° diagonal FOV''' (vs 26° gen 4)
* '''46° diagonal FOV'''
* '''LCoS''' (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
* '''37 PPD''' (pixels per degree)
* Proprietary micro-projectors
* Stereo display (binocular)
* 100-inch equivalent at 10 feet
* '''100-inch equivalent''' at 10 feet
* Automatic environmental tinting
* See-through optics
* Works indoors and in direct sunlight
* Vibrant AR visuals
 
=== Auto-Tint ===
 
* Automatic tint adjustment
* Adapts to environment lighting
* Works indoors and outdoors
* '''Direct sunlight compatible'''
* Maintains visual quality


=== Processing ===
=== Processing ===
Line 62: Line 54:


* '''Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon''' processors
* '''Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon''' processors
* System-on-chip architecture
* Split compute workload
* Workload split across processors
* Reduced power consumption
* Reduced power consumption
* Titanium vapor chambers
* '''Titanium vapor chamber''' cooling
* Enhanced heat dissipation
* Heat dissipation optimization
* Standalone operation


=== Cameras and Sensors ===
=== Tracking ===


Comprehensive sensing array:
Comprehensive spatial:


* '''2x high-resolution RGB cameras'''
* '''4 cameras'''
* '''2x IR computer vision cameras'''
* '''6-axis IMU'''
* 6DoF spatial awareness
* Spatial understanding
* Environment mapping
* Machine learning processing
* Hand tracking support
* '''Hand tracking'''
* Eye tracking


=== Hand Tracking ===
=== Input ===


* Natural hand interaction
Multiple modalities:
* Gesture recognition
 
* Controller-free experience
* '''Hand gestures'''
* "Brings your hands into AR"
* '''Voice commands'''
* Physical buttons
* Eye tracking navigation
 
=== Latency ===
 
* '''13ms motion-to-photon'''
* Seamless AR integration
* Real-time responsiveness


=== Audio ===
=== Audio ===


* '''Stereo speakers'''
* '''Stereo speakers'''
* '''6 microphones'''
* Spatial audio
* Spatial audio
* '''6 microphones'''
* Voice input
* Voice recognition
 
* Hands-free commands
=== Battery ===
 
* '''45 minutes''' continuous standalone
* Nearly 3x improvement vs gen 4 (30 min)


=== Build ===
=== Build ===


* '''226g weight''' (nearly 3x larger than Spectacles 4)
* '''226g weight'''
* Less than half weight of typical VR headsets
* Less than half VR headset weight
* Glasses-style form factor
* Glasses form factor
* Standalone design
* ~3x larger than gen 4
* No external compute


== Snap OS ==
== Snap OS ==


New operating system for AR:
New operating system:


* Purpose-built for Spectacles
* Ground-up AR-focused design
* Lens Studio integration
* Natural world interaction
* Developer tools
* OpenAI partnership
* AR content creation
* Multimodal AI integration
* Social features
* Cloud-hosted AI models
 
== Developer Program ==
 
=== Pricing ===
* '''$99/month''' subscription
* '''$1,200/year''' commitment required
* Developer-only access
 
=== Features ===
* No developer revenue tax
* 4+ million compatible Lenses
* LEGO partnership
* Lucasfilm partnership
* Enterprise training integrations
 
== Generation Comparison ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Spec !! Gen 4 (2021) !! Gen 5 (2024)
|-
| FOV || 26.3° || 46°
|-
| PPD || Limited || 37
|-
| Processor || Snapdragon XR1 || Dual Snapdragon
|-
| Battery || 30 min || 45 min
|-
| Hand Tracking || No || Yes
|-
| Availability || Limited devs || Developer subscription
|}


== Technical Specifications ==
== Technical Specifications ==
Line 118: Line 153:
! Specification !! Details
! Specification !! Details
|-
|-
| Display || LCoS + Waveguide
| Display || LCoS micro-projectors
|-
|-
| PPD || 37 pixels per degree
| PPD || 37
|-
|-
| Field of View || 46° diagonal
| FOV || 46° diagonal
|-
|-
| Equivalent Screen || 100" at 10 feet
| Latency || 13ms motion-to-photon
|-
|-
| Processors || Dual Snapdragon
| Processor || Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon
|-
|-
| Tracking || 6DoF
| Cameras || 4
|-
|-
| Hand Tracking || Yes
| Microphones || 6
|-
| Cameras || 2 RGB + 2 IR
|-
|-
| Microphones || 6
| Battery || 45 minutes
|-
|-
| Weight || 226g
| Weight || 226g
|-
|-
| Price || $99/month (developer)
| Price || $1,200/year (developer)
|}
|}
== Developer Program ==
* $99/month subscription
* Developer-focused release
* Lens Studio tools
* AR content creation
* Consumer version planned


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


'''Praise:'''
'''Praise:'''
* True standalone AR glasses
* 46° FOV significant improvement
* 46° FOV impressive for form factor
* 37 PPD Apple Vision Pro comparable
* Hand tracking innovative
* 13ms latency responsive
* Snap OS purpose-built
* OpenAI partnership innovative
* 4M+ compatible Lenses
* No developer tax
* Hand tracking added
* Dual Snapdragon powerful
* Dual Snapdragon powerful
* Auto-tint works in sunlight
* Enterprise partnerships
* 6DoF tracking enables spatial AR
* Snap OS purpose-built
* Lighter than VR headsets
* Decade of R&D refinement
* Waveguide technology advanced


'''Criticism:'''
'''Criticism:'''
* $1,200/year developer-only
* 45 minutes battery still short
* 226g heavier than consumer glasses
* 226g heavier than consumer glasses
* $99/month developer-only access
* Not available to consumers
* Not consumer-ready
* FOV still narrow vs VR
* 46° FOV still limited vs VR
* Subscription model unusual
* Limited battery life reported
* Limited general availability
* Wide frame design
* Competition from others<ref name="xrtoday">{{cite web |url=https://www.xrtoday.com/augmented-reality/snap-spectacles-5-review-the-latest-snap-ar-glasses/ |title=Snap Spectacles 5 Review |publisher=XR Today |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
* Niche developer audience
* Consumer pricing unknown<ref name="xrtoday">{{cite web |url=https://www.xrtoday.com/augmented-reality/snap-spectacles-5-review-the-latest-snap-ar-glasses/ |title=Snap Spectacles 5 Review: The Latest Snap AR Glasses |publisher=XR Today |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
<ref name="engadget">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/social-media/snaps-fifth-generation-spectacles-bring-your-hands-into-into-augmented-reality-180026541.html |title=Snap's fifth-generation Spectacles bring your hands into into augmented reality |publisher=Engadget |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Snap Spectacles 4]]
* [[Snap Spectacles 4]]
* [[Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses]]
* [[Meta Orion]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[Magic Leap 2]]
* [[Apple Vision Pro]]


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 17:45, 7 January 2026

Snap Spectacles
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type AR Glasses
Subtype Developer AR
Platform Snap OS
Developer Snap Inc.
Manufacturer Snap Inc.
Announcement Date September 17, 2024 (SPS 2024)
Release Date September 17, 2024 (5th gen)
Price $99/month ($1,200/year subscription, developer-only)
Website https://www.snap.com/
Predecessor Snap Spectacles 4
System
Chipset Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon
Storage
Display
Display LCoS (dual)
Refresh Rate Variable
Image
Field of View 46° diagonal
Optics
Ocularity Binocular
Tracking
Eye Tracking Integrated
Hand Tracking 4-camera system
Latency 13ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio Stereo speakers
Connectivity
Device
Weight 226g


The Snap Spectacles (5th generation, 2024) is a standalone augmented reality glasses device developed by Snap Inc., unveiled September 17, 2024 at Snap Partner Summit at $99/month subscription ($1,200/year, developer-only). Featuring dual LCoS projectors with 46° diagonal FOV (37 pixels per degree, comparable to Apple Vision Pro), dual Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with titanium vapor chamber cooling, 4-camera spatial understanding and hand tracking, 13ms motion-to-photon latency, Snap OS operating system with OpenAI partnership, and 45 minutes battery life. Targeting developers with over 4 million compatible Snapchat Lenses.

History and Development

Snap Inc. announced the fifth-generation Spectacles at Snap Partner Summit on September 17, 2024. The 5th gen represents a significant leap from the 4th generation (2021), which had only 26° FOV and 30 minutes battery. Available exclusively to developers on a subscription model, Spectacles '24 aims to establish an AR lens ecosystem before potential consumer launch. Snap announced lighter consumer "Specs" for 2026 release.[1]

Design and Hardware

Display

LCoS micro-projectors:

  • 37 pixels per degree (PPD)
  • 46° diagonal FOV (vs 26° gen 4)
  • LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
  • Proprietary micro-projectors
  • 100-inch equivalent at 10 feet
  • Automatic environmental tinting
  • Works indoors and in direct sunlight

Processing

Dual-chip architecture:

  • Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon processors
  • Split compute workload
  • Reduced power consumption
  • Titanium vapor chamber cooling
  • Heat dissipation optimization

Tracking

Comprehensive spatial:

  • 4 cameras
  • 6-axis IMU
  • Spatial understanding
  • Machine learning processing
  • Hand tracking
  • Eye tracking

Input

Multiple modalities:

  • Hand gestures
  • Voice commands
  • Physical buttons
  • Eye tracking navigation

Latency

  • 13ms motion-to-photon
  • Seamless AR integration
  • Real-time responsiveness

Audio

  • Stereo speakers
  • 6 microphones
  • Spatial audio
  • Voice input

Battery

  • 45 minutes continuous standalone
  • Nearly 3x improvement vs gen 4 (30 min)

Build

  • 226g weight
  • Less than half VR headset weight
  • Glasses form factor
  • ~3x larger than gen 4

Snap OS

New operating system:

  • Ground-up AR-focused design
  • Natural world interaction
  • OpenAI partnership
  • Multimodal AI integration
  • Cloud-hosted AI models

Developer Program

Pricing

  • $99/month subscription
  • $1,200/year commitment required
  • Developer-only access

Features

  • No developer revenue tax
  • 4+ million compatible Lenses
  • LEGO partnership
  • Lucasfilm partnership
  • Enterprise training integrations

Generation Comparison

Spec Gen 4 (2021) Gen 5 (2024)
FOV 26.3° 46°
PPD Limited 37
Processor Snapdragon XR1 Dual Snapdragon
Battery 30 min 45 min
Hand Tracking No Yes
Availability Limited devs Developer subscription

Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Display LCoS micro-projectors
PPD 37
FOV 46° diagonal
Latency 13ms motion-to-photon
Processor Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon
Cameras 4
Microphones 6
Battery 45 minutes
Weight 226g
Price $1,200/year (developer)

Reception

Praise:

  • 46° FOV significant improvement
  • 37 PPD Apple Vision Pro comparable
  • 13ms latency responsive
  • Snap OS purpose-built
  • OpenAI partnership innovative
  • 4M+ compatible Lenses
  • No developer tax
  • Hand tracking added
  • Dual Snapdragon powerful
  • Enterprise partnerships

Criticism:

  • $1,200/year developer-only
  • 45 minutes battery still short
  • 226g heavier than consumer glasses
  • Not available to consumers
  • FOV still narrow vs VR
  • Subscription model unusual
  • Limited general availability
  • Competition from others[2]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "SPS 2024 Spectacles". Snap Inc.. https://newsroom.snap.com/sps-2024-spectacles-snapos.
  2. ↑ "Snap Spectacles 5 Review". XR Today. https://www.xrtoday.com/augmented-reality/snap-spectacles-5-review-the-latest-snap-ar-glasses/.
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