Apple and Samsung’s New XR Headsets Fight for a Tiny Market

In the not-too-distant future, a single pair of stylish smart glasses will function as your personal movie theater. They’ll provide walking directions as you explore a new city or let you peek at group texts during a work meeting. You might ask an AI assistant to translate a restaurant menu when traveling abroad or suggest a movie. You’ll be able to view 3D photos and videos that poignantly bring memories back to life. Or perhaps you’ll create a futuristic work setup with virtual displays that look nearly as sharp as physical monitors.

But we haven’t arrived at that moment yet. In 2025, consumers still need to make a choice. Option A: Sleek, lightweight smart glasses like the popular Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, which can capture photos and videos while also putting an AI assistant in your ear. You can wear these out in the world and still look perfectly normal.