In the fast-evolving world of technology, a new contender has emerged, capturing the attention of both consumers and critics alike: the Rayban Meta smart glassesInitially overlooked by tech magnate Mark Zuckerberg, these eyeglasses have quickly transformed into a must-have item for Silicon Valley's trendsettersWithin just nine months of their release, the second generation of Rayban Meta glasses has surpassed one million units soldThis is a significant leap compared to the first generation, which took a year and a half to reach a mere 300,000 sales.
The Rayban Meta smart glasses, a collaboration between Meta and the iconic eyewear brand Rayban, are powered by Meta's advanced model, LIama3. This integration has enhanced the device's camera performance, enabling features such as voice interaction, object recognition, and text translationConsequently, the Meta glasses have emerged as a surprise success in the smart hardware market, attracting the interest of both domestic and international tech giants.
According to unofficial statistics from Tech Planet, numerous companies, including Baidu, Xiaomi, Samsung, Thunderbird, and Shanzhu, have announced plans to release their own AI glasses equipped with large modelsIn an era where innovations in mobile technology have plateaued, AI glasses have become the centerpiece of interest as we approach the fourth quarter of the year.
On November 12, during the 2024 Baidu World Conference, Li Ying, CEO of Baidu Technology, unveiled the world’s first native AI glasses enabled with a Chinese large model—Baidu AI glassesDespite Li's demonstration while wearing the glasses, the audience was left in the dark about the actual user experience since the product won't be available until the first half of 2025.
Just a week after Baidu’s launch, former Alibaba M Studio head Zhu Mingming introduced the Rokid Glasses in Hangzhou, co-developed with the eyewear brand BOLONThe official description claims these glasses will provide museum visitors with instantaneous historical context about exhibits and assist travelers in identifying unfamiliar plants or animals
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They are also touted to support payment functionality through the glassesPre-orders for Rokid Glasses have commenced, with delivery expected in the second quarter of next year; however, Tech Planet reported no details on pre-order numbers on the official site.
Since Meta’s first AI glasses debuted last September, around ten domestic companies have been working on their own productsTo date, only Meta, Meizu, Huawei, and Chengang Technology have successfully delivered their devices, while others have delayed their releases until next year.
The initial success of Meta AI glasses can be attributed to their pioneering photography capabilitiesIn contrast, products from Huawei, Meizu, and Chengang Technology primarily focus on audio translations, but have not achieved impressive sales numbers.
According to data from the StarV official Douyin flagship store, the newly released Star Air2ar glasses, priced at 2799 yuan, have sold fewer than 100 unitsSales on JD.com are slightly better, topping out at just over 1,000. Conversely, the Chengang Technology's AI audio glasses, priced at 699 yuan, have seen sales exceeding 2,000 on JD.com since their launch in July.
Insiders predict that the earliest delivery of AI glasses with video recording features could come from Shanzhu, which has collaborated with the Hong Kong fashion brand LOHO, integrating the iFLYTEK large modelGuoke CEO Ji Shisan stated that in the ongoing battle for AI filming glasses, Shanzhu has gained a critical advantage as the first brand to achieve substantial volume production.
With a retail price of just 999 yuan, Shanzhu's AI glasses are the most budget-friendly option on the marketHowever, their recent pre-order process has faced delays; the company initially planned to ship in late November, but recently closed pre-orders before resuming them againCurrent explanations cite additional complications in research and supply chain production, leaving the actual delivery date uncertain.
Feedback from prospective consumers reveals a common sentiment: many users only desire the photography capabilities rather than the AI functionalities
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For instance, a beauty professional expressed interest in using the glasses to capture first-person view videos during eyelash extensions, while a doctor hopes to record surgical procedures for educational purposes.
As it stands, the only available AI glasses capable of recording are the Rayban MetaUsers can take photos or videos through voice commands or buttons, and they even support real-time streaming on Facebook and InstagramThe backing of these established social media platforms has undoubtedly bolstered the sales of Rayban Meta glasses.
Despite this success, the AI capabilities of current models have made marginal impacts on overall salesThe primary functions, including knowledge inquiries, translation services, guided tours, and meeting notes, are often utilized infrequentlyAn AR industry participant summarized the current perception: "AI functionality feels less relevant nowThe main attractions of these products remain the cameras and audio capabilities, with AI serving as a secondary feature."
Furthermore, the wearing experience of AI glasses is less than idealMost current models lack display capabilities, which does help ease some weight concernsHowever, due to the inclusion of chips and sensors, the weight generally hovers around 45 grams—though those requiring corrective lenses may find their glasses tipping the scales at 57 grams once prescription lenses are added.
Typically, lightweight glasses weigh around 15 grams, while standard frames fall between 20-30 gramsThis highlights a significant drawback of existing AI glasses—they are uncomfortable for prolonged wearAdditionally, nearly all AI glasses still struggle with battery lifeFor example, Meta's continuous shooting capabilities are limited to just three hours, a notable limitation considering the user expectations around versatile photogenic experiences.
Another factor propelling the Meta glasses' popularity is their alliance with the stylish Rayban brand
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