Recently, U.S. big tech companies like Meta, Google, and Apple have been focusing on developing smart glasses equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) features, while Chinese tech giant Alibaba is gaining attention by unveiling its own smart glasses. This increases the possibility that Chinese companies will compete with U.S. firms in the next-generation wearable market for smart glasses.
According to recent reports from foreign media outlets like the Hong Kong South China Morning Post and CNBC, Alibaba unveiled its first AI-based smart glasses, 'Quark AI Glasses,' on the 26th at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai, China. The Quark AI Glasses, named after Alibaba's AI assistant, are reportedly already completed, with a goal for official release this year.
The core features of the recently unveiled Alibaba Quark AI Glasses are reported to be largely similar to the smart glass functions showcased by Google. The Quark AI Glasses are said to include real-time multilingual translation, voice recognition, navigation, and interactive assistant features.
However, the inclusion of fintech features is noteworthy. According to released demonstration videos, users can visit a store wearing the Quark AI smart glasses and use a QR code to make purchases immediately. If users wish, they can also receive schedule reminders and email summaries. Weighing in at around 40 grams, the glasses are designed to be lightweight and suitable for everyday wear.
According to market research firm IMARC, the global augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) smart glasses market is expected to grow from $18.6 billion in 2024 to $53.6 billion by 2033. Companies like Meta, Google, and Apple are continuing development by pushing smart glasses as the next-generation wearable form factor. Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted in a recent foreign media interview that when the era arrives in which AI can understand human visual and auditory information, engage in conversation, and support holograms, smart glasses will become devices optimized for AI.
With Chinese IT companies also entering the smart glasses development race, it appears that the U.S.-China AI supremacy battle will extend into the wearable market. Industry experts expect China to engage in low-price competition. Xiaomi introduced AI glasses priced around 380,000 won in June, which is half the price of Meta's smart glasses. TikTok's parent company ByteDance is developing XR goggles under the code name 'Swan,' weighing 127 grams. While TikTok initially focused on developing VR devices, it is now reportedly developing glasses-shaped products similar to those of Meta in response to market trends.
However, since many companies have not yet officially launched their smart glasses, Meta, having released its products early, continues to maintain its market lead. According to CNBC, the sales of smart glasses developed jointly by the eyewear brand Ray-Ban and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) have reportedly increased more than threefold compared to the previous year. EssilorLuxottica (XTRA:ESL), which owns the Ray-Ban brand, announced that its total sales for the first half of this year reached €14.02 billion (approximately 23.4 trillion won), representing a 7.3% increase from the previous year. Previously, Meta had invested 4.8 trillion won in EssilorLuxottica, securing a 3% equity stake.