Snap Spectacles 2
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| Snap Spectacles 2 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| Type | Smart glasses |
| Platform | Snapchat |
| Developer | Snap Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Snap Inc. |
| Announcement Date | April 26, 2018 |
| Release Date | April 26, 2018 |
| Price | $149.99 (US launch, Original)[1] |
| Website | https://www.spectacles.com/ |
| Versions | Original (Onyx, Ruby, Sapphire); Nico; Veronica[2] |
| Requires | Historical requirements: iPhone 5/iOS 10+, or Android 4.4+ with BLE and Wi-Fi Direct[3] |
| Predecessor | Snap Spectacles |
| Successor | Snap Spectacles 3 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 4GB flash[4] |
| Display | |
| Display | No display (camera only) |
| Resolution | 1216 x 1216 (video), 1642 x 1642 (photos); capture resolution[4] |
| Refresh Rate | No display; video capture at 60 fps[4] |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 105° (camera)[4] |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Dual microphones |
| Microphone | Yes (2 microphones) |
| Camera | Single HD camera |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy; Wi-Fi[3][5] |
| Ports | Proprietary charging pins |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | Recorded-file import to Snapchat over Wi-Fi[5] |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Low Energy[3] |
| Power | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life | Up to 70 videos per charge (manufacturer estimate)[4] |
| Device | |
| Weight | Original: 45.4 g; Nico: 48 g; Veronica: 52 g[6] |
| Material | Plastic frame |
| Headstrap | N/A |
| Color | Original: Onyx (Moonlight/Eclipse lenses), Ruby (Daybreak/Sunset lenses), Sapphire (Midnight/Twilight lenses); Nico/Veronica: black[7][2] |
| Input | Single button for recording/photos |
| Compliance | Water resistant under specified shallow-water conditions; accessories are not water resistant[8] |
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 Spectacles, this version introduced several key improvements including the ability to capture photos, water resistance, a more refined design, and faster syncing capabilities.[9]
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.[10]
Spectacles 2 are camera-only sunglasses without a visual display. Captured photos and videos are managed through a paired smartphone.[11]
Development and Release
The launch followed inventory problems with the first generation. Snap recorded $39.9 million in Spectacles-related charges in the third quarter of 2017, primarily excess inventory reserves and cancellation charges on inventory purchase commitments.[12] In a 2021 retrospective, hardware investor Tyler Mincey described the V2 update as modest and wrote that Snap was "more coy about sales numbers". This was his assessment, rather than a disclosed V2 sales total.[13]
Unlike the viral Snapbot vending machine distribution of the first generation, Spectacles 2 were sold exclusively online through Snap's website at launch. Snap said that this would help it track demand and avoid overproduction.[4]
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[9]
- Colors: Three frame options with two lens variations each:
- Onyx: Black frame with Moonlight or Eclipse lenses
- Ruby: Red frame with Daybreak or Sunset lenses
- Sapphire: Blue frame with Midnight or Twilight lenses[7]
- Indicator Light: Removed the permanent yellow ring around the camera; only white LEDs display while recording[9]
- Prescription Lenses: Snap documented a US partnership with Lensabl for prescription lens options.[7]
Frame variants
Snap introduced Nico and Veronica on September 5, 2018 as additional second-generation styles, both in black with polarized lenses. Original lenses are not polarized.[2][7]
| Variant | Frame size | Weight | Charging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 48-25-140 | 45.4 g | Included charging case or USB charging cable |
| Nico | 53-19-145 | 48 g | USB charging cable |
| Veronica | 56-20-140 | 52 g | USB charging cable |
The frame sizes and weights are Snap's published figures.[6] The size codes describe lens width, distance between lenses and temple length, in millimetres. Snap lists front widths of 133 mm for Original, 144.5 mm for Nico and 147 mm for Veronica.[14]
Camera and Media Capture
- Photo Capability: New ability to capture still photos (hold button to snap)[4]
- Video Resolution: 1216 x 1216 pixels at 60fps[4]
- Photo Resolution: 1642 x 1642 pixels[4]
- Field of View: Reduced from 115° to 105° to minimize fish-eye warping[9]
- Storage: 4GB internal storage (up to 150 videos or 3,000 photos)[4]
Connectivity and Performance
- Transfer Speed: Snap advertised transfers up to four times faster than V1. Contemporary reporting quoted a 3-second average for a 10-second video, compared with 9 seconds previously; these are reported company figures, not a standardized independent benchmark.[15][4]
- Pairing: Snap's documented Bluetooth setup uses a seven-second button hold in Snapchat settings, without a QR-code scan.[16]
- HD Transfer: All exports now happen in HD over internal Wi-Fi[9]
- Auto-sync: Snap's iOS Home Wi-Fi Import instructions require a configured trusted network and the glasses to be charging, with the phone on that network.[17]
Durability
- Water Resistance: Snap permits rain, snow and shallow water for a few Snaps at a time, and warns against diving, surfing and other activities involving sudden impact or submersion.[8]
- Build Quality: TechRadar described the plastic frame as sturdy, while finding it rigid on the nose during its test.[10]
Compatibility and import workflow
Snap's legacy guide lists iPhone 5 or later with iOS 10+, or Android 4.4+ with BLE and Wi-Fi Direct. It excludes the Samsung Galaxy A6+, J5, J7, J7 Perx, J7 Prime and J7 V. These are historical requirements, not confirmation that current Snapchat versions support those phones.[3]
The documented pairing procedure uses Snapchat's Spectacles settings, Bluetooth and a seven-second button hold; Android also requires Location Services.[16] Recorded Snaps import to the paired account's Memories. Snap documents different iOS and Android procedures, including automatic Wi-Fi Direct importing on Android.[5]
A button press records 10 seconds; further presses extend a clip to 20 or 30 seconds. Holding the button takes a still photo when idle, or stops a recording. Inner LEDs provide capture feedback and the outer light ring signals recording to bystanders.[18]
Only Original uses a charging case, which Snap rates for up to four recharges. Nico and Veronica charge directly through the supplied USB charging cable. The glasses must be dry before charging; neither the case nor cable is water resistant.[19][8]
Software Updates
On June 22, 2018, a Snapchat update was reported rolling out with square and widescreen export choices, alongside circular exports with a white or black border. The change applied when exporting imported Snaps, rather than changing the camera's capture format.[20]
TechRadar's updated 2018 review described the square and widescreen output as a fixed centre crop; the user could not choose the crop position.[10] Snap's surviving export guide also lists horizontal and vertical formats and notes that rotating the full circular view is a Snapchat feature.[21]
Pricing and Availability
- Launch Price: $149.99 (USD) - $20 more than the original[1]
- What's Included: Spectacles, charging case, charging cable[1]
- Distribution: Initially sold only on Spectacles.com; no Amazon availability at launch[1]
- Markets: Initially U.S., Canada, U.K., and France, expanding to 13 more European countries on May 3, 2018[9]
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
- Battery life depended on capture patterns; TechRadar reported nearly a week with mostly still-photo use.[10]
Contemporary reviews discussed the design and transfer improvements without establishing V2 lifetime sales. TechRadar praised the lighter frame, water resistance and export options but reported discomfort and intermittent connection problems. Wareable also found syncing faster, while questioning the fit, price and limited feature set.[10][22]
Legacy
The second generation retained a single-camera design. Snap announced Spectacles 3 on August 13, 2019 with two cameras for depth capture and a steel frame, with shipping planned for that fall.[23]
Research
A 2020 master's thesis by Electra Zoe Karamargin at Tallinn University of Technology examined one pair of Spectacles V2 using simulated photographs and videos. Its BLE experiments paired the glasses with a Galaxy S10e running Android 10 and Snapchat 10.77.5.0, with an nRF52840 development kit and Wireshark monitoring communications. The study identified unencrypted device-advertising information, while captured payloads were encrypted and its decryption attempts were unsuccessful. This was a single-device forensic case study with specific software and tools, not a security certification or a test of current firmware.[11]
Images
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Nina Godlewski (2018-04-26). "Snapchat Spectacles V2: Where to Buy, What Are the New Features". Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/snapchat-spectacles-v2-how-buy-where-get-price-903068. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Meet Nico and Veronica". Snap Newsroom. 2018-09-05. https://newsroom.snap.com/nico-and-veronica. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Compatibility Guide". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033763231-Compatibility-Guide. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Michael Sawh (2018-04-26). "New Snap Spectacles can take photos on land and in (shallow) water". Wareable. https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snapchat-snap-spectacles-2-release-date-specs-price-2018. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Importing Snaps". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000413106-Importing-Snaps. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Product Details, Requirements, and Warranty". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001311506-Product-Details-Requirements-and-Warranty. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Spectacles Lenses". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001298103-Spectacles-Lenses. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Water Resistance". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000414506-Water-Resistance. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/26/snapchat-spectacles-2/
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Nick Rego (2018-06-28). "Snapchat Spectacles 2 review". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/snapchat-spectacles-2. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Electra Zoe Karamargin (2020). "Going Darker: A Forensic Analysis of Smart Eyewear Biometric Asset Management...". Tallinn University of Technology, master's thesis. https://digikogu.taltech.ee/et/Download/adc4060c-c545-4c00-b634-52f973d2bccd. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Snap Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results". Snap Investor Relations. 2017-11-07. https://investor.snap.com/news/news-details/2017/Snap-Inc-Reports-Third-Quarter-2017-Results/default.aspx. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ Tyler Mincey (2021-08-26). "The Evolution of Snap Spectacles Pt. I: Craft reveals conviction". The Bolt Blog. https://blog.bolt.io/the-evolution-of-snap-spectacles-pt-i-craft-reveals-conviction/. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Spectacles Look and Fit". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001297463-Spectacles-Look-and-Fit. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "New Spectacles. Made for Summer.". Snap Newsroom. 2018-04-26. https://newsroom.snap.com/spectacles-for-summer?lang=en-GB. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Pairing Your Spectacles". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000407246-Pairing-Your-Spectacles. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Home Wi-Fi Import". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000406946-Home-Wi-Fi-Import. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Capturing Snaps". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000412923-Capturing-Snaps. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Charging Spectacles". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000413583-Charging-Spectacles. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ Conor Allison (2018-06-22). "Snap Spectacles update makes it easier to share videos and photos on other apps". Wareable. https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snap-spectacles-new-formats-sharing-update-6231. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Exporting Snaps & Stories". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000413183-Exporting-Snaps-Stories. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ Conor Allison (2018-06-15). "Snap Spectacles 2 review". Wareable. https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snap-spectacles-2-review. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Introducing Spectacles 3". Snap Newsroom. 2019-08-13. https://newsroom.snap.com/spectacles-3. Retrieved 2026-10-16.