Snap Spectacles 3
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| Snap Spectacles 3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| Type | Smart glasses |
| Platform | Snapchat |
| Developer | Snap Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Snap Inc. |
| Announcement Date | August 13, 2019[1] |
| Release Date | November 12, 2019 (on sale)[2] |
| Price | $380 (launch price)[3] |
| Website | https://www.spectacles.com/ |
| Predecessor | Snap Spectacles 2 |
| Successor | Snap Spectacles 4 |
| Display | |
| Display | No display (camera only) |
| Resolution | Video 1216 x 1216 px at 60 fps; photos 1728 x 1728 px[4] |
| Refresh Rate | Not applicable (no display)[5] |
| Image | |
| Field of View | Camera: 105° (2D), 86° (3D); axis unspecified[4] |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Dual HD cameras |
| IPD Range | Not applicable (no display) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Location metadata, not display pose tracking[6] |
| Rotational Tracking | No |
| Positional Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Four-microphone audio array |
| Camera | Two HD cameras for 3D capture |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 2.4 / 5 GHz[4] |
| Power | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery[4] |
| Battery Life | Up to 70 3D videos or 200+ 3D photos per charge[7] |
| Charge Time | Glasses: about 75 minutes in case; case: 75 minutes full, 15 minutes to 50%[8] |
| Device | |
| Weight | 56.5 g[9] |
| Material | Steel frames with tinted, non-polarized lenses[9] |
| Color | Mineral, Carbon |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, accelerometer[6] |
| Input | Two buttons (left and right) |
| Size | Frame: 47 - 25 - 153 mm |
Introduction
The Snap Spectacles 3 are the third generation of smart glasses from Snap Inc. (creator of Snapchat), which went on sale on November 12, 2019.[2] Spectacles 3 introduced dual HD cameras for 3D photos and video, accompanied by recorded audio. They capture footage for augmented reality effects applied afterward in Snapchat; the glasses have no display.[3][5]
The glasses have steel frames and circular lenses.[1] Their $380 launch price exceeded the $150-$200 range of Spectacles 2, depending on style.[7] Snap positioned it as a limited-edition product for creative self-expression.[5]
Development Philosophy
CEO Evan Spiegel described depth-based effects on recorded scenes as part of Snap's plans for AR glasses.[7]
Snap Lab's Matt Hanover described limited production for creative storytellers.[10]
Snap intended these glasses to be an iteration on their long-term goal of creating consumer-grade augmented reality headsets, using them to gather feedback for future improvements.[10]
Hardware Specifications
Design and Build
- Frame Material: Lightweight steel construction[1]
- Colors:
- Mineral (lighter shade)
- Carbon (darker shade)[4]
- Weight: 56.5 grams
- Dimensions: Frame 47-25-153mm[9]
- Lenses:
Cameras and Capture
- Dual HD Cameras: Two cameras positioned on either side of the frame
- 3D Capture: Stereoscopic video and depth mapping capabilities
- Video Resolution: 1216 x 1216 pixels at 60fps
- Photo Resolution: 1728 x 1728 pixels[4]
- Field of View:
- 2D: 105 degrees
- 3D: 86 degrees
- Aperture: F-stop of f/2.2[4]
These are camera capture specifications. Snap does not identify a horizontal, vertical or diagonal axis for the camera angles.[4] Contemporary launch reporting listed 1642 x 1642 photos; the specification above follows Snap's own 1728 x 1728 figure.[5][4]
Audio
Storage and Performance
- Internal Storage: 4GB flash memory
- Capacity:
- Up to 100 3D videos
- Up to 1,200 3D photos[11]
- Sync Capability: Up to 70 videos per full charge[12]
The 70-video figure covers capture and transfer on one charge; it differs from the 100-video storage limit.[12] Snapchat imports media into Memories, then backs it up separately. Snap warns against signing out, deleting the app or changing devices before backup finishes.[11]
Connectivity
- Bluetooth: Version 5.0
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz[4]
- Location Services: Built-in GPS and GLONASS[6]
GPS, GLONASS and an accelerometer supply location metadata for captured Snaps. Location collection is off by default and optional. It enables location tags and location-based sorting in Memories. If a fix is unavailable, metadata may use a later capture location or the location at import; it should not be treated as precise head-pose tracking.[6]
Battery and Charging
Battery figures are Snap's 2019 estimates.[7]
- Battery Type: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Charging Case:
- Stores up to 4 full Spectacles charges
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- 75 minutes for full glasses recharge
- 15 minutes for 50% quick charge of the case[8]
The glasses recharge only in their matching case. Its four LEDs show glasses charge first and case charge second when the glasses are inside; without them, they show the case level. Spectacles 3 and the accessories are not water-resistant.[4][8]
3D Capture Technology
The dual-camera system enables several advanced features:
- Depth Perception: Two cameras capture wide field-of-view video from both angles
- Stereoscopic Video: Reconstruct 3D video for immersive playback
- Depth Mapping: Build 3D depth maps of physical objects
- 3D Effects: Enable special AR filters that utilize real-world positioning[13]
Users can create "3D selfies" and apply effects that interact with the depth information captured by the cameras.[13] Lens Studio supplied tools for creating effects for Spectacles footage.[7]
Software Integration
Compatibility
Snap's model-specific guide documents the following historical minimums. They do not guarantee that current Snapchat releases still run on every listed phone or operating-system version.
- iOS: iPhone 7 or above, running iOS 11 or above
- Android: Select Android devices running Android 6 or above[14]
The listed Android families include Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, Galaxy Note 8 and Google Pixel 2/2 XL or later; Snap says the list can change.[14]
Snapchat Integration
The glasses sync with Snapchat to enable:
- Transfer of 3D photos and videos to Snapchat Memories
- Application of 3D Lenses and effects
- Export capabilities for use outside Snapchat
- Viewing content through included 3D viewer accessory[3]
Snap's launch documentation lists circular, horizontal, square and VR export formats for the phone's Camera Roll.[3]
Package Contents
In the Box
- Spectacles 3 glasses
- Charging case with built-in battery
- USB-C charging cable
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- 3D viewer (cardboard-style viewer for smartphone)[13]
Setup and Usage
Initial Setup:
1. Download Snapchat app 2. Create account or log in 3. Navigate to Settings 4. Select Spectacles option 5. Pair Spectacles with iPhone or Android device[15]
Snap's instructions use a seven-second hold on either button to enter pairing, with white then yellow inner LEDs. Bluetooth, a nearby phone and at least 10% charge are required. Only one pair of Spectacles can be active on a phone at a time.[15]
Recording:
- Video: Press either button to record 10-second clips
- Photos: Press and hold either button to capture 3D photos
- Syncing: Footage transfers to Snapchat Memories after recording[16]
A photo uses a two-second hold and both cameras, even though only one LED indicates capture. Repeated presses extend video in 10-second increments to 60 seconds; a two-second hold stops it. Inner and outer LEDs indicate recording.[12]
Import requires more than 10% charge, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and the glasses nearby. On iOS, users join the glasses' Wi-Fi network; Android can import automatically. Recording during import interrupts transfer.[16]
Accessories and Options
- 3D Viewer: Included cardboard viewer similar to Google Cardboard for viewing captured 3D content
- Prescription Lenses: Snap documented US orders through Lensabl; its guide lists no authorized providers for Canada, Europe or the UAE[9]
Market Positioning
Snap described Spectacles 3 as a limited-edition product for people interested in fashion, technology and creative self-expression.[5]
Tyler Mincey's 2021 account discussed Spectacles 3 as a development platform within Snap's longer-term work on AR glasses.[13]
Technical Innovations
A 2021 teardown by Tyler Mincey documented the internal construction:
- Folded rigid-flex circuit boards behind the cameras
- An indicator ring with surface-mount components on both sides and 24 LEDs
- Flexible interconnects passing through the hinges
- Steel frames, plastic enclosures and camera modules[13]
Legacy and Impact
Spectacles 3 were followed by Spectacles 4 in 2021, which added AR displays.[17] The third generation itself remained a camera-capture device.[5]
Snap used the third generation for Duck Duck, an experimental short film by Harmony Korine, combining first-person footage with custom 3D effects. Snap reported a private premiere in Miami Beach on December 4, 2019, and announced an Art Basel presentation of the film and a Gucci-designed limited edition of Spectacles 3.[18]
Research use
In the CVPR 2024 360+x dataset, University of Birmingham researchers used Spectacles 3 for first-person binocular video alongside a stationary Insta360 ONE X2. They reported 2432 x 1216 stereo footage at 60 fps, with 30-60-second clips recorded near the panoramic camera so both observed similar scenes. The dataset contained 2,152 videos, including 1,688 recorded with Spectacles, across 28 scene categories. This documents research capture and scene-understanding experiments; it does not establish AR-display capability or a controlled comparison of glasses comfort or tracking accuracy.[19]
Images
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Introducing Spectacles 3". Snap Newsroom. 2019-08-13. https://newsroom.snap.com/spectacles-3. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Adario Strange (2019-11-12). "Snap's Spectacles 3 Officially Go on Sale Internationally Online & at Retail". Next Reality. https://next.reality.news/news/snaps-spectacles-3-officially-go-sale-internationally-online-retail-0212437/. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Snap Inc. Unveils Spectacles 3". Snap Inc.. 2019-08-13. https://s25.q4cdn.com/442043304/files/doc_news/archive/4c2ab958-b6d1-42d4-8f4f-a1a40f6cc537.pdf. 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 4.11 "About Spectacles 3". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033392972-About-Spectacles-3. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 James Peckham (2019-08-13). "Snapchat Spectacles 3 let you film first-person 3D videos". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/news/snapchat-spectacles-3-let-you-film-first-person-3d-videos. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Location Data". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033399592-Location-Data. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Casey Newton (2019-11-12). "Snap Spectacles 3 review: reaching new depths". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/12/20951783/snap-spectacles-3-review-snapchat-glasses-price-specs-features. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Recharging Spectacles 3". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033756911-Recharging-Spectacles-3. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Lenses and Fit". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033393012-Lenses-and-Fit. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/12/snapchat-spectacles-3-review-pretty-pricey/
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "About Spectacles storage". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033399392-About-Spectacles-storage. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Capturing photos and videos". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033756691-Capturing-photos-and-videos. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 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.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Compatibility Guide". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000975386-Compatibility-Guide. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Setting up and pairing your Spectacles". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033393052-Setting-up-and-pairing-your-Spectacles. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Importing photos and videos". Spectacles Support. https://support.spectacles.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033756751-Importing-photos-and-videos. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "SPS 2021: Introducing the Next Generation of Spectacles". Snap Newsroom. 2021-05-20. https://newsroom.snap.com/introducing-the-next-generation-of-spectacles?lang=en-GB. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ "Harmony Korine's Debut Short Film Shot on Spectacles 3 Explores Storytelling in 3D". Snap Newsroom. 2019-12-05. https://newsroom.snap.com/harmony-spectacles-3. Retrieved 2026-10-16.
- ↑ Hao Chen; Yuqi Hou; Chenyuan Qu; Irene Testini; Xiaohan Hong; Jianbo Jiao (2024). "360+x: A Panoptic Multi-modal Scene Understanding Dataset". Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition: 19373-19382. Retrieved 2026-10-16.