Snap Spectacles 3
The Snap Spectacles 3 is the third generation of camera-equipped smart glasses developed by Snap Inc., announced in August 2019 and released in November 2019 at a price of $380. Representing a significant evolution from previous generations, Spectacles 3 featured dual HD cameras enabling stereoscopic 3D capture for the first time, stainless steel construction with premium acetate frames, and the ability to create immersive "3D Snaps" viewable through an included cardboard 3D viewer. The dual cameras captured 1216 × 1216 video at 60fps and 1728 × 1728 photos with a 105° field of view (2D) or 86° (3D), while a four-microphone array provided high-fidelity spatial audio. Targeting fashion-conscious early adopters and creators, the premium-priced Spectacles 3 positioned Snap's eyewear as both a creative tool and a fashion accessory, bridging the gap between consumer camera glasses and Snap's long-term AR glasses ambitions.
| Snap Spectacles 3 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | Smart Glasses |
| Subtype | Consumer AR |
| Platform | Snapchat |
| Creator | Snap Inc. |
| Developer | Snap Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Snap Inc. |
| Announcement Date | August 2019 |
| Release Date | November 2019 |
| Price | $380 |
| Website | https://www.spectacles.com/ |
| Versions | Spectacles 3 |
| Requires | Smartphone with Snapchat app |
| Predecessor | Snap Spectacles 2 |
| Successor | Snap Spectacles 2021 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Proprietary (Snapchat app) |
| Chipset | Proprietary |
| CPU | Not specified |
| GPU | Not specified |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 4GB |
| Memory | N/A |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | None (camera glasses) |
| Subpixel Layout | N/A |
| Peak Brightness | N/A |
| Resolution | N/A (no display) |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | N/A |
| Persistence | N/A |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 105° (2D capture), 86° (3D capture) |
| Horizontal FoV | N/A |
| Vertical FoV | N/A |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | N/A (camera glasses) |
| Ocularity | N/A |
| IPD Range | N/A |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (prescription compatible) |
| Passthrough | N/A (no display) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | No |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | No |
| Positional Tracking | No |
| Update Rate | N/A |
| Tracking Volume | N/A |
| Play Space | N/A |
| Latency | N/A |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 4-microphone array |
| Microphone | Yes (4 microphones) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | 2× HD cameras (1216×1216 video, 1728×1728 photo) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) |
| Ports | None (charging case) |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | No (app transfer) |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (dual-band 2.4/5 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Power | Internal battery |
| Battery Capacity | Not specified |
| Battery Life | Up to 70 videos or ~4 recharges from case |
| Charge Time | ~75 minutes (full charge) |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Sunglasses form factor |
| Weight | 56.5g |
| Material | Stainless steel, acetate, polycarbonate |
| Headstrap | None (glasses temples) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Carbon (black), Mineral (gold) |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, accelerometer, gyroscope |
| Input | Button controls (tap to capture) |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
History and Development
Spectacles Evolution
Product line history:
- Spectacles 1 (2016) - Initial launch
- Spectacles 2 (2018) - Water resistance
- Spectacles 3 (2019) - Dual cameras, 3D
- Premium positioning shift
3D Capture Innovation
New capability:
- Dual camera system
- Stereoscopic capture
- 3D Snaps creation
- Depth effects
August 2019 Announcement
Product reveal:
- Premium design unveiled
- $380 price point
- Stainless steel construction
- November availability
Fashion Focus
Design direction:
- Premium materials
- Fashion-forward
- Two color options
- Accessory positioning
Design Philosophy
Premium Materials
Fashion accessory:
- Stainless steel construction
- Acetate frames
- Premium finish
- Designer aesthetic
Dual Camera 3D
Depth capture:
- Two HD cameras
- Stereoscopic video
- 3D effects
- Immersive content
Fashion-First
Style priority:
- Designer sunglasses look
- Premium positioning
- Carbon and Mineral colors
- Lifestyle accessory
Camera System
Dual HD Cameras
Stereoscopic capture:
- Video: 1216 × 1216 @ 60fps per camera
- Photo: 1728 × 1728 per camera
- FOV: 105° (2D), 86° (3D)
- Aperture: f/2.2
3D Capture
Depth capability:
- Stereoscopic video
- 3D photo effects
- Depth sensing
- Immersive playback
Capture Controls
Simple operation:
- Tap button for photo
- Hold for video
- Up to 60 seconds continuous
- LED indicators
3D Viewer
Playback accessory:
- Included cardboard viewer
- Stereoscopic viewing
- 3D Snaps playback
- Phone-based display
Audio System
Four-Microphone Array
High-fidelity capture:
- Spatial audio recording
- High-quality sound
- Environmental capture
- Communication capable
Audio Quality
Recording capability:
- Multi-microphone capture
- Directional recording
- Noise handling
- Clear audio
Storage and Transfer
4GB Internal Storage
Content capacity:
- Up to 100 videos
- Up to 1,200 photos
- Transfer via app
- Limited local storage
Wireless Transfer
Snapchat integration:
- Bluetooth transfer
- Wi-Fi for faster speeds
- Snapchat app sync
- Cloud backup
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0
Device pairing:
- Smartphone connection
- Content transfer
- Settings control
- Stable connection
Dual-Band Wi-Fi
Fast transfer:
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Faster video transfer
- Large file handling
- Quick sync
GPS and GLONASS
Location services:
- Geotagging
- Location memories
- Maps integration
- Travel documentation
Physical Design
Premium Construction
Material quality:
- Stainless steel frame
- Acetate components
- Polycarbonate lenses
- Premium finish
Weight
Comfortable wear:
- 56.5g
- Heavier than Spectacles 2 (45.4g)
- All-day wearable
- Balanced design
Color Options
Fashion choices:
- Carbon (black)
- Mineral (gold tones)
- Premium aesthetics
- Fashion-forward
Prescription Compatibility
Vision options:
- Compatible with prescription lenses
- Third-party lens services
- Custom fitting
- Accessibility
Battery
Glasses Battery
Internal power:
- Up to 70 videos per charge
- Daily use capable
- Moderate capacity
- ~75 minutes full charge
Charging Case
Extended power:
- ~4 additional charges
- Protective storage
- USB-C charging
- Portable power
Software
Snapchat Integration
Platform core:
- Snapchat app required
- Memories storage
- Story creation
- Social sharing
3D Effects
AR filters:
- Depth-aware effects
- 3D AR lenses
- Special filters
- Creative tools
Editing Tools
Content creation:
- In-app editing
- Filter application
- 3D effect creation
- Story tools
Use Cases
Content Creation
Primary use:
- POV capture
- Travel documentation
- Event recording
- Social sharing
3D Memories
Immersive capture:
- Stereoscopic memories
- 3D photo viewing
- Depth experiences
- Future VR viewing
Fashion Accessory
Lifestyle integration:
- Daily wear sunglasses
- Premium accessory
- Style statement
- Occasional capture
Comparison with Spectacles 2
| Feature | Spectacles 3 | Spectacles 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $199 |
| Cameras | 2× HD (stereo) | 1× HD |
| 3D Capture | Yes | No |
| Material | Stainless steel | Plastic |
| Weight | 56.5g | 45.4g |
| Video | 1216×1216 | 1216×1216 |
| Photo | 1728×1728 | 1642×1642 |
| Microphones | 4 | 2 |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Dual camera 3D capture (first in consumer glasses)
- Premium stainless steel construction
- High-quality four-microphone array
- 60fps video recording
- 3D Snaps creation
- Fashion-forward design
- Snapchat AR effects
Limitations
- Expensive ($380)
- No display (capture-only)
- Requires Snapchat for functionality
- Limited 4GB storage
- Heavier than previous gen
- Niche appeal
- 3D viewing requires separate viewer
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 2× HD (1216×1216 video, 1728×1728 photo) |
| FOV | 105° (2D), 86° (3D) |
| Video | 60fps per camera |
| Audio | 4-microphone array |
| Storage | 4GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5 |
| GPS | GPS + GLONASS |
| Weight | 56.5g |
| Price | $380 |