Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses Could See Competition From Gucci

As the smart glasses market is expected to grow strongly in the future, new players are eager to enter it. Smartphone brands like Samsung and Apple are already gearing up to launch their products. A new report now suggests that luxury fashion brand Gucci is also aiming to jump on the bandwagon. This could further increase competition in the AI eyewear ‌sector.

Gucci eyes to join the smart glasses race next year

According to a report from Reuters, Kering plans to launch smart glasses under the Gucci brand in collaboration with Google. The launch could happen around 2027, though the exact timeline may vary. This is part of Kering CEO Luca de Meo’s plan to boost the company’s eyewear and jewellery businesses. As of now, these divisions account for a small share of Kering’s total revenue.

The CEO also committed to making more than double the luxury group’s operating profit margin. On top of that, they aim to improve the appeal of Gucci, its flagship brand. As such, the smart glasses segment could help fulfill those ambitions. The weabales should run on Google’s Android XR, a platform for extended reality and smart eyewear products.

While the details remain under wraps, Gucci’s entry might change how we see smart glasses today. The company appears to have an advantage in the style segment, meaning its offering could also attract buyers who prefer design and luxury. Meanwhile, Samsung is also leaning in this direction by integrating cutting-edge technology with stylish designs. It has partnered with popular eyewear brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.

Samsung reportedly plans to debut its first pair of smart glasses, tentatively called Galaxy Glass, sometime this year. The eyewear could be display-less with a built-in camera that helps understand the surrounding environment. The glasses will likely connect to smartphones to process data. Another pair of smart glasses with a display is also reportedly in the pipeline for next year.