Amazon is reported to be developing AR glasses, codenamed "Jayhawk," directly competing with Meta

On Wednesday, according to the technology media The Information, Amazon is developing a consumer-oriented augmented reality (AR) glasses, codenamed Jayhawk, directly challenging Meta's position in the AR device market. This news indicates that the AR glasses battle is intensifying.

According to two informed sources, Amazon's AR glasses will be equipped with a microphone, speakers, a camera, and a single-eye full-color display. The company plans to launch this consumer product by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

Meanwhile, Meta is expected to unveil its new version of AR glasses at next week's Connect conference. The competition between the two tech giants in the AR field has officially begun, and this yet-to-be-fully-validated market is poised for a critical turning point.

Amazon's entry marks an important milestone in the development of AR technology. Unlike VR headsets that block real-world views, AR glasses can overlay images in the user's surrounding environment, providing practical functions such as walking navigation maps.

Amazon Developing Two Different AR Glasses

Amazon is simultaneously developing two different types of AR glasses. The consumer version, codenamed Jayhawk, will feature a lighter and more stylish design with a full-color display.

The other pair of AR glasses, codenamed "Amelia," is designed specifically for delivery drivers, aiming to assist them in sorting and delivering packages. This device will display package delivery instructions on the glasses' screen for the workers.

According to informed sources, Amazon has adopted AR display technology from the Chinese company MoJie Technology. Chinese smartphone manufacturers like Meizu have already been using this technology to sell AR glasses products.

Sources indicate that both products use the same underlying display technology, but the consumer version places more emphasis on portability and aesthetics in its design. The driver version may be released as early as the second quarter of 2026, with Amazon's initial plan to produce about 100,000 units.

Direct Competition with Meta

Meta is also actively positioning itself in the AR glasses field. The company released the dual-eye display Orion prototype last year, but the new product, codenamed "Hypernova," expected to be showcased at next week's Connect conference, is also anticipated to adopt a single-eye display design and may be released later this year.

In terms of pricing strategy, a former Meta executive revealed that the internal discussion for the AR glasses price is around $800. In comparison, Meta's currently sold Ray-Ban smart glasses start at $299, offering AI assistant, audio, and camera functions.

From a technical perspective, while dual-eye displays can provide a more realistic and natural AR image experience, the development difficulty and costs are significantly higher than single-eye display solutions.

In addition to Amazon and Meta, several other companies are competing in the AR glasses market. Chinese companies like Xreal, Rokid, and Thunderbird Innovation have already been selling consumer-grade AR glasses products globally, with varying levels of technological maturity.

In the U.S. market, Snap is also developing AR glasses products. Google executive Shahram Izadi showcased a prototype AR glasses during a TED talk in April this year