Recent leaks have provided a significant glimpse into Samsung’s roadmap for wearable technology, suggesting the tech giant is preparing a dual-pronged attack on the smart glasses market. According to reports from Android Headlines, Samsung is developing two distinct products—codenamed Jinju and Haean —designed to target different user needs and price points.
The “Jinju” Model: AI and Content Creation
The first device, codenamed Jinju (meaning “pearl”), is expected to debut in 2026. Unlike high-end augmented reality (AR) headsets, these glasses appear to be focused on lifestyle integration rather than visual overlays.
Key rumored specifications include:
– Dual 12MP Cameras: Positioned primarily for content creation and capturing real-world perspectives.
– No Integrated Display: This distinguishes the device from AR glasses, focusing instead on audio, photography, and AI interaction.
– Deep AI Integration: The glasses are expected to feature heavy integration with Google’s Gemini AI, leveraging Samsung’s close partnership with Google.
– Target Price: Estimated between $379 and $449 in the U.S. market.
By omitting a display, Samsung is likely aiming for a more lightweight, fashionable, and affordable form factor, similar to the current Meta Ray-Ban glasses. This approach prioritizes “ambient computing”—where AI assists you through voice and vision without requiring you to look at a screen.
The “Haean” Model: High-End Augmented Reality
For users seeking a more immersive experience, Samsung is reportedly working on a second, more advanced pair of glasses codenamed Haean (meaning “coast”).
Expected to arrive in 2027, the Haean model represents a leap in complexity:
– Advanced Visuals: Unlike the Jinju model, these will feature a micro-OLED display to provide an augmented reality experience.
– Premium Positioning: With an expected price tag of up to $900, these glasses are positioned to compete with high-end wearable tech like the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses.
– Software Ecosystem: Both models are expected to run on the new Android XR platform, which will also power Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy XR headset.
The Competitive Landscape: A Battle for the Face
This leaked roadmap indicates that Samsung is positioning itself to compete across the entire spectrum of wearable intelligence.
The market is currently a crowded battlefield:
1. The Lifestyle Segment: Samsung’s Jinju will go head-to-head with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, focusing on social media, photography, and AI assistants.
2. The AR Segment: The Haean model will compete with Google’s upcoming Android-based glasses and higher-end wearable displays, aiming to blend digital information seamlessly with the physical world.
The shift toward “Android XR” suggests a unified ecosystem where your glasses, your phone, and your VR/AR headsets all communicate through a single, cohesive software framework.
Conclusion
Samsung’s strategy appears to be a calculated move to capture both the casual consumer and the tech enthusiast by offering a low-cost AI companion followed by a high-end AR powerhouse. If these leaks hold true, the years 2026 and 2027 will be pivotal in determining whether smart glasses can move from niche gadgets to mainstream essentials.
