Samsung Enters the Smart Glasses Race with Display-Equipped AI Eyewear, Targeting 2027 Launch
Samsung Electronics has initiated the development of its first-ever AI glasses equipped with a display, marking a significant step into the smart eyewear market. Last month, the company presented a request to Samsung Display for the development of a micro-display, outlining key specifications such as product form factor, information display area, color capabilities, and cost targets. The plan is to project color visual information directly in the user's field of view through the lens.
The tech giant is currently evaluating several micro-display technologies to meet its requirements, primarily focusing on OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) and LEDoS (LED on Silicon). According to industry insiders, the product is tentatively scheduled for release between the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028, with the final timeline dependent on the progress of display panel development and overall device validation.
Reports suggest Samsung is considering a micro-display solution of 0.2 inches or smaller, which would be integrated within the glasses' frame. An optical system would then magnify this image and project it to the user's eye. The primary function of these glasses will be to display simple information such as text, notifications, icons, and navigation arrows. The company has not yet decided whether to implement a binocular (both eyes) or monocular (one eye) display system.
In terms of display specifications, Samsung is not aiming for high-quality photo or video playback. Instead, it is considering a color display solution with approximately 4-bit grayscale. A 4-bit depth provides 16 levels of brightness per color channel, which, while more limited than the 256 levels of an 8-bit display, is sufficient for ensuring the clear legibility of text and basic graphics.
Regarding the specific panel technology, industry experts believe that White OLEDoS (W-OLEDoS) presents the most viable option in terms of cost and mass production yield. This technology uses a white OLED light source with a color filter to produce color images. In contrast, RGB OLEDoS, which does not require a color filter, faces higher manufacturing complexity, lower yields, and greater cost pressures. Meanwhile, LEDoS technology offers the advantage of high brightness but still faces challenges in achieving full-color capabilities and stable mass production yields.
Another key technical challenge Samsung must address is the field of view (FOV). Since the product aims to display information over a relatively large area in front of the lens, the chosen technology must deliver a wide viewing range while meeting the requirements for color display and cost-effectiveness.
Samsung plans to position these AI glasses as a companion device to its smartphones. The phone will remain the primary computing and interaction hub, while the glasses will serve to present essential information directly within the user's line of sight. It's important to note that this project is distinct from the first-generation AI glasses Samsung plans to launch this year, which will not have a display and will focus on camera and voice functions, developed in collaboration with Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker.