Samsung's Intelligent Eyewear opens pre-orders ahead of Dec. 10 availability, with iPhone support

Samsung opened pre-orders on Nov. 12 for its Intelligent Eyewear, the Android XR glasses it built with Google, in two frame collections from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. In its announcement, Samsung says the collections are set for release in the US and South Korea on Dec. 10, with 30 designs between the two brands. Its compatibility list includes iPhones as well as Galaxy and Pixel phones.

What is on sale, and when

There are two dates, and they are not the same thing. Pre-orders began Nov. 12. Samsung says general availability follows on Dec. 10, in "select markets." Both collections launch in the US, and Gentle Monster's will also be available in South Korea. 9to5Google describes Dec. 10 as the day the glasses ship. Samsung's own wording is availability, and Android Authority says Google confirmed the glasses will be widely available from that day.

Samsung says buyers can order through Warby Parker's retail and online channels, and through Gentle Monster's official online store. Gentle Monster's US page carries a "1st Batch Pre-Order" label, though the text we read there shows no price or date. Samsung also says demo units will be at select Samsung retail locations from Dec. 10.

What it costs

Samsung's release does not state a price. The figures below come from outlets:

• Warby Parker: starts at $395 for optical and sun styles in Pine, Saddle and Jet Black, according to 9to5Google.
• Gentle Monster: starts at $449, according to 9to5Google, which also reports the US and South Korea as the markets.

Android Authority gives the same two starting prices, one for each brand. None of the sources read gives prices above those starting points.

The iPhone question

9to5Google reports that Google announced the glasses as Android XR audio glasses that support iOS with Made for iPhone certification. Samsung's list says iPhone 13 and later, with at least 6GB of RAM, running iOS 26.6 or later. Both 9to5Google and Android Authority give a stricter minimum of iPhone 13 Pro. Samsung's list is the company's own, but if you own a base iPhone 13, check compatibility again before you buy.

9to5Google also says the iOS companion app saves photos and videos to Apple Photos. It describes a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a blinking white light when the camera takes pictures or records clips.

On Android, Samsung names the Galaxy S, S FE, Z Fold, Flip and Fold Ultra series on One UI 9.0 or higher, and Google Pixel 7 series and later on the Android 17 Sept. 2026 update or later. Android Authority notes that Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, HONOR and other Android brands are missing from the initial list, as are Galaxy A-series phones. It adds that most Android users may have to wait until 2027 or later. Samsung's release names no other phones. Its May 20 first look called the glasses a companion device to a mobile phone.

Battery and weight

Samsung says battery life is up to nine hours on one charge and up to 72 hours with a fully charged charging case. Weights are 39.6 to 43.9 g for Gentle Monster and 40.4 to 42.6 g for Warby Parker, with standard lenses included.

What we don't know yet

• Whether Canada, the UK or other countries get the glasses after Dec. 10. Samsung says only "select markets" and names the US and South Korea.
• Which Android brands will be added, and when.
• Whether Samsung's own Wearable app supports iPhone. The release we read does not say.
• Any price above the starting figures. Samsung gave none.

How this fits the earlier reports

This is the confirmation of what came before. Warby Parker said on Nov. 5 that pre-orders would open Nov. 12 and that it expected to deliver orders during the holiday season. Our Nov. 5 report noted that price, countries and a ship date were not yet announced. Samsung's release now supplies the date and the two countries.

Earlier reporting pointed to other timing. Our Gentle Monster report cited an unverified December launch, which Dec. 10 matches. Our Oct. 30 story covered a Chosunbiz report of mid-December and a Samsung official's October remark that the launch would come in November. For background on the frames, see what we know about the Gentle Monster and Warby Parker pairs and where they sit among Android XR devices.