Samsung and Google’s new smart glasses support iPhones but leave most Android brands out

Samsung and Google are bringing Gemini to your face, but owning an Android phone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re invited to the party. Their new Intelligent Eyewear collection has a surprisingly short compatibility list, and most Android users may have to wait until 2027 or later to join in.

The new smart glasses, developed alongside Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, initially support Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and Apple iPhone devices. That leaves phones from Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, HONOR, and other Android manufacturers outside the officially supported lineup at launch.

Google and Samsung’s documentation lists the Pixel 7 series and newer; Galaxy S23 and newer (including their FE variants); Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 and newer; and iPhone 13 Pro and newer. All Samsung phones must run One UI 9.0 or later; however, Galaxy A-series phones are conspicuously absent from the compatibility list.

The good news is that this exclusivity isn’t necessarily permanent. The announcement confirmed plans to share more information about expanding compatibility to other phones in 2027 and beyond. However, there’s no specific timeline or list of additional brands, so anyone outside the current lineup is facing an indefinite wait.

That’s quite a contrast with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, for instance, whose smartphone compatibility extends to Android phones running Android 10 or newer and iPhones running iOS 14.4 or later.

Furthermore, Apple users aren’t even getting the complete experience. Google notes that Gemini’s Guided Vision, Aira visual assistance, Audible integration, and certain app interactions are initially exclusive to Android-connected glasses.

For a product developed by two of Android’s biggest players, welcoming iPhones while leaving much of the Android ecosystem on the sidelines is a curious opening move.