Although there are numerous smart glasses products in the market today, I didn’t have high expectations before actually trying them.
I do believe that with AI and AR (Augmented Reality) capabilities, glasses could become the next generation of smart devices. However, these technologies are still immature, and after being disappointed several times this year by so-called “AI hardware” and Apple’s Vision Pro, I had become completely disillusioned with these products.
After skeptically trying on a pair, I think it’s time to discuss this unique product category.
Are Smart Glasses Just a Gimmick?
Before discussing the experience, let’s look at the different types of smart glasses currently available in the market.
First, there are “audio glasses,” which strictly speaking aren’t smart glasses but rather a combination of open-ear headphones and glasses. Some come with a camera, and most brands and Huaqiangbei’s three-digit priced “smart glasses” products fall into this category.
True “smart glasses” can be divided into two categories: those with and without displays.
The display-free category is represented by the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses from the past two years. Their primary functions are similar to the “audio glasses” mentioned above, but with added “intelligence.” They support voice input and AI voice assistant operation, and their high-definition cameras can not only capture photos but also perform AI object recognition.
The display-equipped category consists of “AR glasses.” Most AR glasses in the market are essentially “screen projection glasses” that project displays from connected computers, phones, or gaming consoles onto the glasses.
▲ XREAL Air 2 Ultra glasses connected to their Beam Pro computing terminal
Going further, there are “true smart glasses” with their own operating systems and independent display capabilities, basically combining all the functions of the above glasses.
▲ Meta Orion demonstration image
These products are currently mainly prototypes and development units, including Meta’s Orion glasses shown this year and Snap’s Spectacles designed specifically for developers. They’re still far from consumer-ready, with mediocre display quality and weak performance, serving more as early glimpses of the future.
▲ Fourth-generation Snap Spectacles: bulky appearance and expensive price tag
The StarV View glasses I tried belong to the “projection AR glasses” category. When wearing them, instead of the expected cramped field of view, blurry image quality, or dizzying experience, I found a high-definition floating screen in darkness. The displayed text, while not crystal clear, at least showed no obvious jagged edges or blur.
When I opened an ASMR sleep video, the host’s nimble fingers seemed to wave right before my eyes. Combined with decent audio quality, I almost dozed off sitting in my office chair after watching for just a minute.
When connected to a computer, it’s like having a larger, closer personal screen that isn’t limited by external environment. After sitting for a while, I placed my computer on the office cabinet and stood up to type while wearing the glasses.
What particularly impressed me was the movie-watching experience. Although the StarV View darkens the environment, while the display isn’t IMAX level, it comes close to watching from the “golden seats” in a movie theater.
More importantly, although experiences may vary, I felt no discomfort even after wearing these glasses for extended periods. In contrast, I could barely handle the Vision Pro for ten minutes before my head and neck started complaining.
Additionally, these glasses are only slightly larger than a regular glasses case, making them perfect for carrying around. You can take them home for binge-watching movies, to the office for a large screen experience, or use them on planes and trains – experiences traditional display devices can’t offer.
As for the display-free Ray-Ban Meta glasses, we also did a hands-on review. They work great as headphones and first-person cameras, with a particularly stylish appearance.
[Video review]
Initially thinking smart glasses were just hype, I was proven wrong by their capabilities – they’re not only usable but genuinely good. A colleague even commented that they “now use AR glasses to watch videos every day.”
▲ Meizu StarV View illustration
Most importantly, whether it’s AR projection glasses with displays or high-end camera audio glasses, prices range from one thousand to four or five thousand yuan, much more affordable than the five-digit priced headsets.
While the general public might still be unfamiliar with smart glasses, this product category could experience rapid growth next year, similar to wireless earbuds seven years ago.
Facing Current Pragmatism
In November this year, Baidu released their first smart glasses product, the Xiaodu AI glasses, equipped with a camera that not only supports voice-controlled photography but also intelligent object recognition, similar in functionality to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
▲ Xiaodu AI glasses function demonstration
Hardware giants like Xiaomi, Samsung, and Apple are all reportedly developing smart glasses products. The first two will likely target the Ray-Ban Meta market, while Apple remains undecided about including a display, exploring options for iPhone integration.
However, these digital giants with their own AI assistants are all rumored to be incorporating AI functionality into their glasses products, creating wearable AI devices.
Yet currently, the main drivers of smart glasses growth appear to be not these ethereal AI functions, but more practical capabilities.
According to market research firm MarketsandMarkets, this year’s smart glasses market is around 879 million, expected to reach 4.129 billion by 2030, primarily driven by demand for immersive AR experiences.
▲ Current smart glasses manufacturers in the market, source: MarketsandMarkets
After 2030, glasses with cameras, audio, and other composite smart functions will become mainstream, helping people in their work and life through AI technology.
Even AI giant Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses don’t aim to be a “revolutionary AI terminal.” They launched without many AI features, simply being high-quality smart glasses with built-in camera and audio capabilities, already a decent fashion item.
▲ Ray-Ban Meta
The AI features added through later software updates are just a bonus – nice to have but not essential, as it’s unlikely anyone would buy these glasses solely for AI functionality.
The same goes for AR features. With products supporting independent operating systems and spatial operation not yet mature, the focus can be on display capabilities, utilizing the smartphones and computers everyone already has for content.
When Vision Pro first launched, a netizen commented: “This device is perfect for apartment renters for big-screen entertainment.”
Predictably, this comment was quickly overwhelmed by responses like “Renters buying a 30,000 yuan headset?” and “Who can wear this thing to watch videos for long?”
But what if instead of 30,000 yuan, it was just one or two thousand, and you could watch videos for extended periods with AR glasses?
I have a friend living in employee dormitory who always wanted a large-screen TV but couldn’t due to various constraints. He ended up buying a 1,300 yuan Thunder Air3 AR glasses, which can even play 3D movies.
▲ Thunder Air 3
Currently, XR headset sales far exceed AI and AR glasses, but the market generally believes lightweight glasses have more potential.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently responded to Vision Pro’s disappointing sales by calling it “an early trial product.”
Coincidentally, XREAL founder Xu Chi described their AR projection glasses as “the ‘present’ of spatial computing.”
This focus on current practicality is key to smart glasses gaining widespread adoption.
▲ XREAL One, source: CNET
Of course, for smart glasses to reach more consumers, besides lacking an AirPods-like catalyst moment, there are many issues to resolve.
The StarV View glasses I used have issues with the display being too high and blurry at the edges. While my eyes didn’t experience much discomfort, the frame quickly becomes hot, affecting the experience.
My friend in the employee dormitory eventually didn’t keep his Thunder AR glasses because his interpupillary distance was too wide and the glasses couldn’t be adjusted. Otherwise, he found them very usable and plans to buy a higher-end adjustable version when he can afford it.
Will Smart Glasses Be the Next iPhone?
“Smart glasses and holograms will become ubiquitous products.”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is confident about smart glasses, believing that glasses combining AR and AI capabilities will be the next iPhone, becoming a future device everyone owns.
AR’s potential is self-evident, but why are glasses considered the ideal form for AI hardware?
This year, two AI hardware products sparked public discussion: Rabbit R1 and Ai Pin, both emphasizing voice interaction with minimal visual interface, relying on users verbally commanding large models for every action.
▲ Left: Ai Pin, Right: Rabbit R1
Their failure wasn’t surprising, not only constrained by current AI model capabilities but also failing to answer: How are they better than smartphones?
Glasses have a natural advantage over phones – they can see what users see and hear what users hear in real-time, truly understanding users’ situations. Privacy concerns aside, they can better understand users and provide more targeted responses.
Xu Chi also believes that AR is the best carrier for AI, and AI is the best interaction method for AR.
Even as “current products,” the fusion of these technologies shows amazing potential.
We previously introduced Hearview smart glasses, designed for the hearing impaired. They capture sound through paired smartphone microphones, use AI algorithms for real-time text conversion, and display captions through simple AR in the glasses.
▲ Source: TikTok@chrissymarshall_
We can imagine the future: opening your refrigerator wearing glasses, asking “What can I cook tonight?” and having smart glasses display relevant recipes through AR.
▲ Meta Orion + Meta Llama 3 large model can already achieve similar functionality
Before the AI and AR game truly begins, smart glasses’ most important task is staying at the table. This explains why media predicts next year’s industry will see a “hundred glasses battle,” using “present-focused” products to win consumers’ trust in the “future.”
XREAL previously launched an independent computing AR glasses prototype “Nreal Light,” but it was more like a half-finished product. While XREAL later focused on AR projection glasses, Xu Chi states the company hasn’t abandoned its full smart glasses vision.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the iPhone also went through two unremarkable, criticized generations. Today’s smart glasses are similar transition products, accumulating technology while waiting for a breakthrough.
Only time will tell if smart glasses can replace smartphones, but they will certainly offer a new form of interaction, allowing us to understand and transform the world in more natural and simplified ways.