Google Android XR Intelligent Eyewear Guide

Google opened pre-orders for its Intelligent Eyewear on November 12, 2026. These Android XR audio glasses, designed with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster and engineered by Samsung, bring Gemini hands-free help without a display.

The frames weigh around 41 grams and deliver up to nine hours of battery life. A charging case adds up to seven more full charges. Pre-orders are live now, with in-store and online sales starting December 10 in the US and South Korea.

What Intelligent Eyewear Offers

Gemini on the glasses answers questions about what you see, gives turn-by-turn Google Maps directions in your ear, and handles real-time speech translation across more than 70 languages. You can capture photos and videos with the 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera by pressing a button or asking Gemini, then edit them with Nano Banana by voice.

Open-ear speakers play music from YouTube Music, Spotify, or Apple Music while keeping you aware of your surroundings. The glasses also support hands-free calls, message replies, and Guided Vision for visual assistance. An indicator light shows when the camera is recording, and bystanders’ faces are redacted from Gemini visuals.

Compatibility requires a Google account from the US or South Korea (18+). Supported phones include Pixel 7 series and newer on Android 17, recent Galaxy models on One UI 9.0 or higher, and iPhone 13 Pro and newer.

How to Pre-Order and Set Up

1. Visit warbyparker.com or gentlemonster.com and select Intelligent Eyewear. Warby Parker styles (Alden, Reid, Wren) start at $395. Gentle Monster designs start at $449. Prescription options are available on most frames.

2. Choose optical or sun lenses, color, and any prescription details. Sign up for a guided demo at over 360 Warby Parker stores or select Gentle Monster and Google Store locations.

3. Complete the pre-order. Devices ship starting December 10. Google does not sell the glasses directly at launch.

4. Once received, pair the glasses with a compatible phone via the companion experience. Enable Gemini by saying “Hey Gemini” or tapping the temple. Grant camera and microphone permissions as needed in settings.

5. Test basic features: ask for directions, translate a sign, or capture a photo. Review privacy controls in the Google Safety Center and Gemini History.

Key Specs and Limitations

Hardware runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. Features include Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6E, and IPX4 water resistance. There is no in-lens display—these are audio glasses. Processing often offloads to the paired phone.

Battery and charging times vary by use. Guided Vision and some apps like Audible work only with compatible Android phones at launch. Camera visuals from Gemini queries are not saved in history, used for training, or targeted for ads, and data is encrypted.

Tips for Everyday Use

Keep the off switch accessible so you can wear the frames as regular glasses. Adjust speaker volume with the touch temple so audio stays private. For best results with Gemini, speak clearly and provide context when asking about your surroundings.

If you already use Gemini on Android, the glasses extend those capabilities. See our guide on adding Gemini 4 Hydrogen to Android apps for related developer workflows.

Sources

• Official announcement: blog.google Intelligent Eyewear pre-order
• Privacy details: blog.google privacy protections
• I/O preview: YouTube Intelligent Eyewear keynote clip