Meta, Snap, Apple and Samsung compete for the future of Mixed Reality
2026 is shaping up to be a turning point in the global adoption of XR glasses. Big tech is racing to conquer the interface of the future: lightweight, connected, intelligent, and immersive glasses capable of blending physical and digital worlds.
A market set to explode
The Omdia chart clearly shows the sector’s trajectory: until 2030, VR/MR headsets (like Meta Quest or Apple Vision) dominate, but a rapid transition begins toward comfortable-to-wear XR glasses.
From 2035 onwards, MR Glasses surpass all other categories, reaching over 200 million units sold annually by 2045. This implies:
Miniaturization of components (chips, displays, batteries)
AI-native interfaces, such as multimodal voice assistants
Always-on experiences in the real world
Companies investing in MR headsets today (like Metagate) are building the bridge toward a future dominated by immersive glasses. Let’s take a closer look at these companies and how they are preparing.
Analysis: the 4 major contenders of 2026
1. Meta Puffin (codename “Loma”)
Expected release: late 2026
Category: Mixed Reality Glasses
Design: ultra-lightweight (around 110g), external compute puck
Interaction: eye tracking + gestures (gaze-and-pinch)
Operating system: Horizon OS
Expected price range: under $1000
Target: productivity, media, collaboration
Learn more:
📰 The Verge – Meta's Puffin headset
📺 YouTube – Puffin breakdown
Meta wants to evolve the Quest into a more discreet and everyday format. Puffin will be the hybrid between a work tool and a multimedia device.
2. Snap Specs (2026)
Expected release: 2026
Category: AR Glasses with AI
Design: standalone glasses, transparent lenses, ultra-light
Interaction: voice AI, gestures, holographic display
Ecosystem: compatible with 4M Snap Lenses
Operating system: Snap OS + Snap Depth API
Target: social, creators, everyday use
Learn more:
📰 Axios – Snap AR AI glasses
📰 Reuters – Snap launches Specs
📺 YouTube – Snap Specs preview
Snap aims to democratize AR: Specs will be compact and smart, perfect for those who want an always-on AI assistant in their field of vision.
3. Apple Vision (second generation)
Unofficial date, but several leaks point to a simplified model of the Vision Pro
Category: AR/MR glasses
Expected design: lighter, external or semi-cabled battery
Interaction: eyes, hands, voice commands
Target: premium market, lifestyle, productivity
Learn more:
📰 Reuters – Apple plans smart glasses launch in 2026
Apple has paused Vision Pro production to shift focus to a more accessible model. AR glasses may arrive in 2026–27.
4. Samsung + Google (Project Moohan)
Announcement: 2025
Category: AR/AI Glasses
Operating system: Android XR / Wear XR
Key partners: Qualcomm (chipset), Google Gemini (AI)
Expected design: Ray-Ban style, microLED display
Target: mobile-first, communication, utility
Learn more:
📰 The Verge - Samsung and Google are developing AR glasses together
After years of failures (Google Glass), Google is trying again by joining forces with Samsung. The goal is to bring Gemini directly into your eyes.
🚀 Metagate on the right path
As the XR “glasses race” heats up, Metagate is already positioned on Meta Quest 3, developing Mixed Reality experiences that combine:
AI (voice avatars, interactive logic)
IoT (physical sensors, smart home)
Blockchain (certifications, dynamic NFTs)
With apps like MyPetXR and the webapp OpenGate XR, Metagate anticipates the 2026 glasses use cases: personalized, accessible, and real-life integrated experiences.
The XR of the future won’t be just “virtual,” but spatial, social, and everyday. Those who start now have the advantage.
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