Home » Products Sourcing » Consumer Electronics » Are Smart Glasses in 2024 a Gimmick? My Experience Proved Otherwise
Person wearing smart glasses, looking at a digital interface.

Are Smart Glasses in 2024 a Gimmick? My Experience Proved Otherwise

Although there are already many smart glasses products on the market, I didn’t have high expectations before actually using them.

I do believe that with the support of AI and AR (augmented reality), glasses could become the next generation of smart devices. However, these technologies are not yet mature, and after being disappointed several times by so-called “AI hardware” and Apple’s Vision Pro in 2024, I’ve lost hope in these products.

After trying on a pair with skepticism, I think it’s time to discuss this unique category.

Are Smart Glasses Just a Gimmick?

Before diving into my experience, let’s look at the different types of smart glasses currently available.

First, there’s a product known as “audio glasses.” Strictly speaking, these aren’t really smart glasses. They’re more like a combination of open-ear headphones and glasses, with some models featuring a camera. Many brands and most of the “smart glasses” products priced in the three-digit range from Huaqiangbei fall into this category.

Audio glasses with built-in speakers and camera.

True “smart glasses” can be divided into two types: those without screens and those with screens.

The screenless ones are represented by the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Their main functions are similar to the “audio glasses” mentioned above, but with a touch of “smartness.” They support voice input and AI voice assistant operations, and the high-definition camera can not only take photos but also help AI recognize objects.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with voice assistant feature.

The ones with screens fall under the “AR glasses” category. Most AR glasses on the market are essentially “projection glasses,” which project the display from a computer, phone, or gaming console onto the glasses.

XREAL Air 2 Ultra glasses connected to Beam Pro terminal.
XREAL Air 2 Ultra glasses connected to their Beam Pro computing terminal

Taking it a step further, there are “true smart glasses” with built-in operating systems and independent imaging, capable of performing all the functions of the aforementioned glasses.

Meta Orion smart glasses demonstration.
Meta Orion demonstration image

These products are mostly prototypes or developer kits, like the Orion glasses showcased by Meta in 2024 and the Spectacles glasses provided by Snap for developers. They are somewhat distant from consumers, with average display quality and weak performance, more like a glimpse into the future.

Fourth-generation Snap Spectacles, bulky and expensive.
Fourth-generation Snap Spectacles, bulky and expensive

The StarV View glasses I tried belong to the “projection AR glasses” category. Wearing them, I didn’t experience the cramped view, blurry image quality, or dizziness I had imagined. Instead, I saw a high-definition large screen floating in darkness, with text that wasn’t perfectly sharp but at least free of noticeable jagged edges.

Close-up of StarV View right lens display.
Close-up of StarV View right lens display

Playing an ASMR sleep aid video, the host’s nimble fingers seemed to gently wave right in front of me. Combined with decent audio effects, I almost dozed off in my office chair after just a minute.

When connected to a computer, it becomes a larger, closer personal screen, unaffected by the external environment. After sitting for a long time, I placed the computer on a cabinet in the office, stood up, and continued working with the glasses on.

I was pleasantly surprised by the movie-watching experience. Since StarV View darkens the environment, while the image quality isn’t IMAX level, it closely resembles the “golden seat” experience in a cinema.

More importantly, although it varies from person to person, I didn’t feel any discomfort wearing these glasses for extended periods, unlike the Vision Pro, which I couldn’t tolerate for more than ten minutes.

Moreover, these glasses are only slightly larger than a regular glasses case, making them easy to carry around. I can take them home after work to watch shows and movies, or bring them to the office for a large screen experience. They’re especially suitable for use on planes, trains, and other travel scenarios, offering an experience traditional display devices can’t provide.

As for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses without AR functionality, we also did a hands-on review. They work well as headphones and a first-person camera, and they have a particularly stylish appearance.

Initially, I thought smart glasses were just a gimmick, but their actual performance exceeded my expectations. Not only are they functional, but they are also very useful. My colleagues even said, “We use AR glasses to watch videos every day now.”

Meizu StarV View illustration.
Meizu StarV View illustration

The most important thing is that whether it’s AR projection glasses with screens or these high-end camera and audio glasses, their prices range from about $137 to about $685, which is much more affordable compared to headsets that cost five figures.

Currently, the general public might still be unfamiliar with the category of smart glasses, but perhaps by 2025, this product will become a rapidly growing category, much like wireless earbuds did seven years ago.

Embracing Practicality

In November 2024, Baidu released its first smart glasses product, Xiaodu AI Glasses, equipped with a camera. They can be operated via voice commands for taking photos and can also be used for intelligent object recognition, similar to the functionality of Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Xiaodu AI Glasses functionality illustration.
Xiaodu AI Glasses functionality illustration

Major hardware manufacturers like Xiaomi, Samsung, and Apple are rumored to be developing smart glasses products. The first two are likely to compete with Ray-Ban Meta, while Apple is still considering whether to include a screen and exploring integration with the iPhone.

However, what these digital giants with their own AI assistants have in common is that their rumored glasses products will incorporate related AI features, creating wearable AI devices.

For now, the main demand and capabilities driving the growth of smart glasses are not these elusive AI features.

According to a report by market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the smart glasses market is projected to be worth about $879 million in 2024 and is expected to reach about $4.129 billion by 2030. The driving factors during this period mainly come from the demand for immersive AR experiences.

Current smart glasses manufacturers, source-MarketsandMarkets.
Current smart glasses manufacturers, source: MarketsandMarkets

After 2030, glasses with composite smart features like cameras and audio will become mainstream. People will use these glasses to assist with their work and life, driven by AI technology.

Even for AI giant Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, the ambition is not to be a “revolutionary AI terminal.” Initially, they didn’t include many AI features, just a pair of high-quality smart glasses with built-in cameras and audio, which were already a great fashion item.

Ray-Ban Meta.
Ray-Ban Meta

Later, AI features supported through software updates became a nice bonus. It’s great if they work well, but it’s not a big deal if they don’t, as it’s unlikely anyone would buy these glasses solely for the AI features.

The same goes for AR features. Products that support independent operating systems and gesture controls are not yet mature, so focusing on display capabilities and leveraging the content from ubiquitous smartphones or computers is a good approach.

When Vision Pro was first released, a user commented: “This device is perfect for renters to use for big-screen entertainment.”

Vision Pro.

Sure enough, this comment was quickly followed by others saying, “Renters buying a $4,100 headset?” and “Who can wear this thing to watch videos for so long?”

But what if it’s not $4,100, but rather $130 to $270, and you can watch videos for a long time with AR glasses?

I have a friend who lives in a company dormitory and has always wanted to buy a big-screen TV, but various conditions didn’t allow it. In the end, he chose to buy a Thunderbird Air3 AR glasses for about $178, which even allows him to watch 3D movies.

Thunderbird Air 3.

Currently, XR headset devices outsell AI glasses and AR glasses, but the market generally believes that lightweight glasses have more potential.

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently responded to the poor sales of Vision Pro in an interview, using this phrase:

“It’s an early adopter product.” It’s interesting that Xu Chi, the founder of the Chinese AR device brand XREAL, describes their AR projection glasses as:

“This is the ‘now’ of spatial computing.”

Embracing practicality is key to making smart glasses more widely accepted.

Image of XREAL One AR glasses from CNET.

Of course, for smart glasses to reach more consumers, they need more than just an opportunity like AirPods had; there are many issues to address.

For example, the StarV View glasses I used had problems with the display being too high and blurry edges. Although my eyes didn’t feel much discomfort, the frames quickly heated up, affecting the experience.

My friend, who lives in a dorm, didn’t keep his Thunderbird AR glasses because his wide interpupillary distance couldn’t be adjusted. He found them very useful otherwise and plans to buy a more advanced version that can adjust the distance 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 in smart glasses, believing that those combining AR and AI will be the next iPhone, becoming a future must-have device.

Image of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

AR is self-explanatory, but why are glasses considered the ideal form for AI hardware?

In 2024, two new AI hardware products sparked public discussion: Rabbit R1 and Ai Pin. Both emphasize voice interaction with minimal visual interfaces, relying on user commands to operate large models.

Image showing Ai Pin on the left and Rabbit R1 on the right.

The failure of both products was unsurprising, limited by current AI model capabilities and unable to answer a key question: How are they better than phones?

Glasses have a natural advantage over phones: they can see what the user sees and hear what the user hears, truly understanding the user’s context. Privacy concerns aside, they can provide more targeted responses.

Xu Chi also believes that AR is the best carrier for AI, and AI is the best interaction for AR.

Even as “current products,” the fusion of these two technologies already shows incredible potential.

We previously introduced a smart glasses product called Hearview, designed for the hearing impaired. It captures sound through a paired smartphone microphone, converts it to text in real-time using AI algorithms, and displays subtitles in a simple AR format on the glasses.

We can also imagine a future where you open the fridge wearing glasses and say, “What can I cook tonight?” The smart glasses could display relevant recipes in AR right before your eyes.

Before the game of AI and AR officially begins, the most important thing for smart glasses is to stay in the game. This is why media predict a “battle of a hundred glasses” in 2025, using products aimed at the “now” to win consumer trust for the “future.”

XREAL once launched a standalone AR glasses prototype called “Nreal Light,” but it felt more like a half-finished product. XREAL then focused on launching AR projection glasses, but Xu Chi stated that the company hasn’t abandoned the vision of fully smart glasses.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the iPhone went through two unremarkable and criticized generations. Today’s smart glasses are similar transitional products, accumulating technology and waiting for a breakthrough.

Only time will tell if smart glasses can replace the next phone, but they will certainly offer a newer form of interaction, allowing us to understand and transform the world in a more natural and simplified way.

Source from ifanr

Disclaimer: The information set forth above is provided by ifanr.com, independently of Alibaba.com. Alibaba.com makes no representation and warranties as to the quality and reliability of the seller and products. Alibaba.com expressly disclaims any liability for breaches pertaining to the copyright of content.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top