Smart glasses in the UK: what you can buy and what's coming
Which smart and AR glasses you can buy in the UK today, which are coming and when, and what they cost. Release dates checked weekly.
| Arrival | Status | Category | UK arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAY-BAN DISPLAY | Landed | Wearables | On sale 23 Sep 2026 |
| ANDROID XR GLASSESUpdated | No UK date | Wearables | Autumn 2026, UK TBC |
| META VR GLASSES | Due spring 2027 | Wearables | Spring 2027 |
| SNAP SPECS | Due autumn 2026 | Wearables | Autumn 2026 |
Smart glasses have split into three kinds, and the difference matters more than the brand.
Audio and camera glasses
These look like ordinary glasses and have speakers, microphones, a camera and an AI assistant, but no screen. They’re the most mature kind and the easiest to wear all day. New models running Google’s Android XR platform are announced, but they don’t yet have a confirmed UK date or price.
Glasses with a display
These put a small screen in one lens for messages, directions and captions. Meta’s display glasses are the first mainstream pair you can buy in the UK. They arrived later than first planned, which is a useful reminder that launch dates in this category move.
Headsets shaped like glasses
The third kind are full mixed-reality headsets shrunk towards a glasses shape, usually with a separate battery and computer pack. They cost far more and are aimed at entertainment and work, not all-day wear. Meta’s version is announced for the UK, with only a season given so far.
What it means for you
For most people, audio glasses are the practical buy today. Display glasses are worth trying in a shop before you spend the money. For businesses, the useful case is hands-free: an engineer following instructions or a site worker capturing photos without stopping. Expect more choice and lower prices through 2027. The board above has the latest UK status of each pair, checked weekly.
Quick answers
Can you buy Meta Ray-Ban Display in the UK?
Landed: on sale in the UK since 23 September 2026 at £749, online and in London stores, after slipping from an early-2026 target. On sale now online and at select London stores; prescription lenses at select UK retailers. Price: £749 including the Meta Neural Band wristband (US $799; Germany, France and Italy €899).
When are Android XR glasses coming to the UK?
No UK date: Google says the first audio glasses launch in autumn 2026; reports variously say November or mid-December (US and South Korea first, UK not in the first phase), but no date, price or market list is confirmed. Not orderable in the UK; shown at Samsung's London Unpacked in July 2026 with no UK date or price. Price: Not announced in any currency; Samsung says only that it is aiming for a 'reasonable' level within the premium range.
Full record, timeline and sources for Android XR glasses (Samsung and Google)
When are Meta's VR glasses coming to the UK?
Due 2027: Meta announced spring 2027 and its UK page now says 'Coming early 2027'; the UK is reported among 25 launch countries; no exact date or UK price yet. Not yet orderable; Meta's UK product page offers a notify-me sign-up only. Price: US$1,299.99 announced; no UK price published.