I Tried Snap Specs: Really Big, but Also Like Nothing Else Out There

I visited Snap's office in Santa Monica, California, to try out the company's $2,195 augmented reality glasses called Snap Specs. These glasses are big, heavy, and unlike anything else on the market. During my demo, I found them quite comfortable, though not perfect for all-day wear. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel explained that these glasses are more of a computer that you put on for specific tasks, rather than something you would wear all day.

Snap Specs offer a more immersive mixed reality experience compared to current smart glasses that primarily provide audio and cameras with basic head-up 2D displays. The glasses have see-through lenses and are designed as a portable mixed reality device, similar to a pared-down Meta Quest but with much better specs. Snap also offers a charging case that functions as a cellular hotspot with Verizon service for standalone use, adding $200 to the bundle.

The glasses initially felt uncomfortable, but the thick arms didn't bother me after a short time. The frames are heavier than other smart glasses, but they balance the weight well on the side of my head, though they occasionally slip down my nose. The lenses are rainbowed due to their waveguide layer, showing 3D projections in AR, which makes them quite noticeable.

The glasses come with snap-in lenses that I found helpful, especially for someone with my severe nearsightedness. The field of view is limited compared to VR headsets, but it's better than Snap's previous Spectacles and closer to the Magic Leap 2. The portrait-style vertical viewing area is wide enough for watching YouTube videos and offers bright indoor viewing, but clarity and resolution are below those of sharper micro OLED displays in other glasses and headsets.

Overall, Snap Specs feel like the best-functioning prototype of an AR glasses idea, but they are still not mainstream yet.