Android XR, Google's VR and AR platform, was ignored during The Android Show last week, but we expect it to have a big presence at Google I/O 2026 alongside major Gemini AI announcements.
This could include potential new looks at several different smart glasses, the XR platform itself, and more.
Google Android XR smart glasses
Google teased its own Android XR smart glasses during MWC 2026 in February. At the time, Google showcased a number of Gemini features, including the ability to use the camera and Nano Banana in combination to take and edit a photo on the fly.
We also got another glimpse of Live Translation in action, where Google's Dieter Bohn used it to translate Chinese to English.
At the time, Bohn emphasized that the glasses he was showcasing were still prototypes. He promised more information in the coming months.
If Google's glasses make an appearance, they will likely still be prototypes, but hopefully we'll see some new features and capabilities.
Samsung's smart glasses
Samsung confirmed that it's take on Ray-Ban Meta-style smart glasses would launch this year during an earnings call in January. The company teased its glasses again during its Q2 earnings call at the end of April.
Last year, Samsung teased its Galaxy XR headset early in the year, which included limited hands-on testing, before it officially launched in October 2025. We attended Google I/O 2025 and were able to test out the headset.
Presumably, Samsung could follow a similar strategy letting developers and media get some eyes-on time with its rumored glasses before a potential October launch.
Xreal's Project Aura
Xreal hasn't officially announced that it will make an appearance at Google I/O, but we expect the company to be there showing off its Project Aura tethered glasses.
So far, we know the XR glasses will feature Android XR, Xreal's X1S chip, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. It's also supposed to have a 70-degree field of view.
I like to think of these specs as Google's attempt to make a headset without the bulky headset. Hopefully, we'll get some eyes-on time with Xreal's next glasses.
Non-smart glasses
Outside of Samsung's Galaxy XR headset, Google isn't rumored to be working on any headsets of its own. We might see some new Galaxy XR features, but with Apple seemingly done with the Vision Pro headset, I highly doubt it.
As of this writing, we haven't seen any rumors regarding new features for Android XR devices. It's not clear where Google is leaning.
We'll be live at Google I/O 2026 to bring you all the news as it happens, along with our first impressions.
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