Samsung opens preorders for its Intelligent Eyewear smart glasses with Gemini: features, price and what it means for Panama
Samsung finally has a date for its first smart glasses. The Intelligent Eyewear, created together with Google and eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, opens for preorders this Thursday, November 12, 2026. Warby Parker confirmed it in its third-quarter earnings report, saying it will start delivering orders during the holiday season. Korean media report that full sales begin in December.
It's Samsung and Google's direct answer to Ray-Ban Meta, which dominates this market today. Here's what they offer, what we know about the price and whether they're worth waiting for in Panama.
What is Intelligent Eyewear?
They look like regular glasses, but they pack a camera, microphones, speakers and Google's Gemini assistant. Samsung introduced them on July 22, 2026, at its Galaxy Unpacked event in London. They run on Android XR, Google's platform for glasses and headsets, and are designed to work alongside your Galaxy phone, not replace it.
The idea is simple: you talk to the glasses, the camera "sees" what's in front of you and Gemini answers in your ear. Samsung doesn't mention any display in the lens: the features it describes rely on voice and audio.
What do they offer?
Here's what Samsung has officially confirmed:
- Processor: Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, a chip built for smart glasses.
- Battery: up to 9 hours per charge, and the case provides up to 7 additional full charges.
- Built-in camera so the AI understands what you're looking at. Samsung didn't share the resolution; SamMobile reports 12 MP.
- Live translation, summaries of long messages and key information read aloud.
- Navigation with guidance on routes, destinations and your surroundings.
- Capture what you see, such as a whiteboard in a meeting, and organize it later in Samsung Notes.
- Share your view during calls and record point-of-view video (depends on the app and country).
- Hand gestures, but only if you have a Galaxy Watch9.
There are two design lines: Gentle Monster's, with a slim black frame, and Warby Parker's, in a brown tone with a subtly upswept brow line. There will be several styles, colors and lens options, and SamMobile reports that pricing may vary by design and whether you add prescription lenses.
How much do they cost and when do they ship?
- Preorders: from November 12, 2026, through Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
- Deliveries: during the holiday season; Korean media point to December.
- Countries: South Korea and the United States first, according to The Korea Times and Seoul Economic Daily. The latter also mentions "other major markets" without naming them.
- Price: at the time of writing, Samsung had not published an official price. Seoul Economic Daily estimates they'll cost a bit more than the latest Ray-Ban Meta, which sells for around $500 in Korea. Treat that figure as an estimate, not the final price.
What about Panama? There's no date or price for Panama or Latin America. For now, the most realistic option will be buying them in the United States and bringing them in through a courier. Before you do, check that they work well with your phone and that Gemini is available in Spanish in your region.
What are experts saying?
There are no in-depth reviews yet, since nobody has had them outside of demos. What outlets like Android Central and SamMobile do point out is that the product relies heavily on the phone: most of the AI work happens on the handset, and some features only work with other Galaxy devices. They also note that price will be key to competing with Meta, which according to research firm Omdia held 81.3% of the AI glasses market in the first half of the year.
Why does it matter?
- Meta finally has competition. Together, Samsung and Google have the muscle to push prices down and improve the product.
- AI moves beyond the phone. Translating a menu or getting directions without pulling out your phone is the kind of use that could make these glasses an everyday thing.
- They look like real glasses. Having fashion brands behind them helps people actually want to wear them all day.
- More Galaxy ecosystem. If you already have a Samsung phone and watch, the glasses become another piece of the same system.
Are they worth it?
If you have a recent Galaxy and like trying new things, they're one of the most interesting launches of the year, but wait for the final price and the first reviews before you pay.
If you travel a lot, live translation and hands-free navigation could be worth the investment.
If you use an iPhone or another brand of Android phone, it's better to wait: Samsung talks about the Galaxy ecosystem and hasn't clarified how well they'll work with other phones.
If you're in Panama, there's no rush. With no official sales or local warranty, the sensible move is to wait until they reach more countries or drop in price.
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Cover photo: Samsung. Inside photos: Samsung.
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