Snap’s $2,195 AR Specs Challenge Meta’s $250 Smart Glasses with 7,000 Patents
META•Snap CEO Evan Spiegel pitched its $2,195 augmented reality Specs as a new computing category to preempt Meta’s $250 smart glasses and $799 display models, citing filing of over 7,000 patents. This high-end launch and patent strategy could intensify competition and pressure Meta’s AR adoption.
1. Snap Unveils $2,195 Specs Headset
Snap introduced its first-generation Specs augmented reality headset priced at $2,195, featuring transparent AR displays, AI-powered assistance, navigation, notifications, gaming experiences and hand-tracking. The device supports hundreds of existing Lens applications and targets developers, early adopters and enterprise users.
2. Patent Defensive Strategy
Evan Spiegel emphasized that Snap has filed over 7,000 patents to establish legal protection for the Specs platform. He argued this extensive patent portfolio differentiates Specs from lighter smart glasses and bulkier virtual reality headsets, aiming to discourage direct competition.
3. Implications for Meta’s AR Business
Meta’s entry-level smart glasses start at $250 with display-equipped versions at $799, placing them in a lower price segment than Specs. Snap’s premium positioning and patent claims may intensify rivalry, potentially slowing Meta’s AR device adoption and affecting its market valuation.
