Microsoft HoloLens 2 vs Snap Spectacles Gen 5
Side-by-side comparison of specs, features, and pricing
Specs updated
Which should you buy?
Bottom line: the Microsoft HoloLens 2 is the better buy for most people, unless you need the lighter fit.
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Buy the Microsoft HoloLens 2 if…
- You want the wider 52° field of view (vs 46°)
- You need longer battery life (2.5 hours vs 0.75)
Buy the Snap Spectacles Gen 5 if…
- You want the lighter 226g fit (vs 566g)
- You're an iPhone user
Verdict generated from the recorded spec differences shown in the table below — when a spec is missing for either product, it is left out rather than guessed.
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Specs Comparison
Specs last verified
| Specification |  Microsoft HoloLens 2 Contact manufacturer |  Snap Spectacles Gen 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | Contact manufacturer | — |
| Display | ||
| Display type | See-through holographic waveguide lenses, 2k 3:2 light engines (laser-scanned MEMS) | Micro-LED waveguide |
| Resolution | 2048x1080 | — |
| Pixels per degree | 47 | 37 |
| Field of view (°) | 52 | 46 |
| Refresh rate (Hz) | 120 | — |
| Virtual screen size (in) | — | 100 |
| HDR support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Color support | Full color | Full color |
| Optics | ||
| Optics type | waveguide | waveguide |
| Dimming control | ✕ No | — |
| Transparency level | see-through AR overlay | see-through AR overlay |
| Prescription support | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Diopter range | Fits over eyeglasses | Optical inserts via Lensabl (NA) / Lensology (EU); total power +1.00 to -5.00 (SPH+CYL combined) |
| Physical | ||
| Weight (g) | 566 | 226 |
| Frame style | headband visor | wraparound |
| Color options | Black | Matte Black |
| Foldable | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Battery & power | ||
| Battery life (hours) | 2.5 | 0.75 |
| Charging method | USB-C | USB-C charging case |
| Charging time (min) | — | 1.5 |
| Connectivity | ||
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 5, WiFi 6, USB-C | Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6, USB-C |
| Tethered | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Compatible devices | Standalone, Windows | iOS, Android |
| Computing | ||
| Processing type | on-device | on-device |
| Operating system | Windows Holographic OS (Windows 10-based; final feature release 24H1, Nov 2024) | Snap OS |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 + 2nd-gen custom Holographic Processing Unit (HPU), 4GB LPDDR4x, 64GB UFS 2.1 (untethered) | Qualcomm Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 |
| Sensors & input | ||
| Camera | 8MP (5×) | 12MP (2×) |
| Microphones | 5 | 4 |
| Speakers | directional · spatial audio | open-ear · spatial audio |
| Tracking | 6DoF, head, eye, hand, SLAM | 6DoF, hand, head |
| Gesture control | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Voice control | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| AI assistant | Cortana | — |
Buy the Microsoft HoloLens 2
Buy the Snap Spectacles Gen 5
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More ways to decide
Microsoft HoloLens 2 vs Snap Spectacles Gen 5: FAQs
Which is newer: the Microsoft HoloLens 2 or the Snap Spectacles Gen 5?
The Snap Spectacles Gen 5 is newer, released September 2024, versus November 2019 for the Microsoft HoloLens 2.
Which has the larger field of view: the Microsoft HoloLens 2 or the Snap Spectacles Gen 5?
The Microsoft HoloLens 2 has the larger field of view: Microsoft HoloLens 2 measures 52 degrees vs 46 degrees for the Snap Spectacles Gen 5.
Which is lighter: the Microsoft HoloLens 2 or the Snap Spectacles Gen 5?
The Snap Spectacles Gen 5 is lighter at 226g. The Microsoft HoloLens 2 weighs 566g and the Snap Spectacles Gen 5 weighs 226g.
What is the main difference between the Microsoft HoloLens 2 and the Snap Spectacles Gen 5?
Based on recorded specs, the Microsoft HoloLens 2 leads on field of view (6 degrees wider FOV) while the Snap Spectacles Gen 5 leads on weight (340g lighter).