In recent months, the Rayban Meta smart glasses have surged in popularity, capturing the attention of tech enthusiasts and fashion-forward individuals alike. Initially overlooked by Zuckerberg, this collaboration between Meta and Rayban has transformed into a coveted accessory in the Silicon Valley fashion scene. Just nine months since their launch, the second generation of Rayban Meta glasses has achieved remarkable sales of over a million units, dwarfing the mere 300,000 units sold of the first generation within a year and a half.These AI-powered glasses are the result of a partnership between Meta and Rayban, and the introduction of the LIama3 model from Meta has significantly enhanced their functionality. The second generation boasts improved capabilities in photography and videography, as well as voice interaction, object recognition, and text translation features, making them a standout contender in the smart hardware market. Their compelling performance has made them a dark horse among wearable tech.This increasing trend of innovation is not limited to Rayban. A myriad of both established brands and startups, such as Baidu, Xiaomi, Samsung, and more, are racing to launch their own AI glasses equipped with advanced AI models. Despite the impressive sales figures, Meta glasses still lag behind the first-generation iPhone, which hit one million sales in just over two months following its launch. However, the achievement of over one million units in less than a year is unprecedented in the realm of wearable technology. Traditionally, hardware companies consider two hundred thousand units as a critical threshold for survival in the competitive landscape of AI hardware, and given the current momentum of Meta glasses, reaching that milestone seems probable.As large AI models have gained popularity over the past 600 days, developers have struggled to find suitable hardware to unleash their potential. Large models integrating into smartphones have often served merely as additional features rather than transformative innovations. However, there are hopes that AI glasses might change this narrative.Amidst a climate of stagnating mobile phone innovations, AI glasses have emerged as one of the most anticipated gadgets for the fourth quarter. The global launch of the first native AI glasses featuring a Chinese large model, the Xiaodu AI glasses, was announced by CEO Li Ying during the Baidu World Conference on November 12, 2024. Despite Li demonstrating the glasses throughout the presentation, attendees were left wondering about their actual user experience, as these innovative glasses won’t be available until the first half of 2025.Shortly after the Xiaodu announcement, Rokid, founded by former Alibaba studio leader Zhu Mingming, also unveiled their AI glasses in collaboration with BOLON in Hangzhou, set to launch soon. These glasses promise to deliver museum exhibit histories when scanned by users, as well as assist with identifying unknown plants or animals during travel using AI. They also boast features like payment capabilities through the glasses themselves.Rokid Glasses are already open for pre-order, with anticipated delivery in the second quarter of next year. However, there hasn’t been any mention of pre-order numbers on the official reservation page.According to a report by Tech Planet, since the launch of the first AI glasses by Meta back in September of last year, at least ten domestic companies have begun developing similar products, with only Meta, Meizu, Huawei, and Hive Technology having successfully delivered their products. Many others have postponed their delivery dates to next year.One differentiating factor has been the initial success of Meta AI glasses which featured unique camera capabilities. In contrast, brands like Huawei, Meizu, and Hive Technology have focused on offering audio translation and other lesser-selling features. For instance, the latest Star Air2ar glasses by Meizu, launched at about 2799 yuan, have only sold around 100 units on their official store on Douyin, with slightly better figures on platforms like JD.com where sales amount to over 1000 units. In comparison, the Hive Technology's audio-focused AI glasses have sold over 2000 units since opening their flagship store in July.According to industry experts, Flash, which is collaborating with the Hong Kong fashion brand LOHO, may be poised to deliver the first video-enabled smart glasses in the market. Backed by investment from various tech leaders, Flash's AI glasses priced at just 999 yuan are currently the most affordable on the market. Following a pre-sale attempt that was temporarily halted, Flash indicated that their delivery timeline may experience delays due to complications in development and supply chain logistics.Interest in the product remains high, though consumers primarily express a desire for filming capabilities, rather than the more advanced AI functionalities. For example, a beauty service worker desires a means to capture first-person perspective videos while performing eyelash extensions, while a doctor wishes to record surgical procedures.The smart glasses equipped with filming functionalities are currently limited to Rayban Meta, which allows users to capture photos and videos through voice commands or button presses, with real-time streaming options to platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This integration into popular social media networks plays a crucial role in its sales success.Unfortunately, the contribution of large models to actual sales remains limited. The present AI features offered by smart glasses—such as knowledge Q&A, translation, virtual tours, and meeting recordings—are seen as low-frequency usages. Many industry insiders argue that the primary selling points of AI glasses hinge on their camera and audio functionalities, with the AI assistant being a secondary consideration.Regarding the user experience, most smart glasses tend to employ a lightweight design by opting out of visual displays. However, the integration of chips and sensors typically results in designs weighing around 45 grams, and increased weight occurs if prescriptions lenses are used. One Rayban Meta wearer shared that once prescription lenses were added, the total weight of the glasses reached 57 grams. In comparison, traditional lightweight spectacles usually weigh around 15 grams, while regular eyewear generally weighs between 20 and 30 grams.This indicates a prevalent issue with the experience of longer wear with the existing AI glasses.Additionally, nearly all AI glasses currently face challenges with battery life. For instance, the Rayban Meta can sustain continuous recording for a maximum of three hours—posing significant limitations in comparison to smartphones or cameras, thus contributing to a broader challenge faced by the smart glasses sector.Insiders believe that another key reason for Meta’s robust performance stems from the fashionable design supplied by Rayban. Nevertheless, many tech enthusiasts hold back from making purchases due to fitting issues, especially for Asian consumers with lower nose bridges, which leads to the glasses slipping down. A glasses retailer remarked that aesthetics play a crucial role in consumer choices, especially for eyewear designed for prolonged use. They noted that Flash's offering holds more promise due to its appealing design.In summary, the current landscape of AI glasses lacks an ideal product that harmonizes weight and functionality to meet user demands. Ultimately, these glasses should first and foremost be comfortable eyewear. If they fail in terms of usability and visual appeal, they risk remaining niche electronic devices.In this competitive landscape, many hope to capitalize on the burgeoning interest in AI glasses. Unlike the smartphone market, where multi-modal interactions lead the way, the potential for glasses to harness superior audio and visual capabilities could render them the ideal token for hardware enabled by large models.The explosive success of Rayban Meta has surprised many. Recent reports from Guojin Electronics predict that if the AI functionalities expand globally beyond the current U.S. and Canada limitations, sales could potentially soar to over six million units. In contrast with 300,000 units sold from the first generation, the sales of Meta are reportedly poised to multiply, signifying the burgeoning potential of these smart glasses.The emergence of AI glasses signifies the first glimpses of the large model's market potential, prompting industry heavyweights such as Xiaomi, Samsung, and OPPO to explore their entry or involvement in this space. Reports indicate that over 36 companies, both local and international, are actively delving into AI glasses, with product counts expected to exceed fifty.Startups are eager to secure a share of this fleeting market opportunity. Several firms, including Rokid and Thunderbird Innovation, have raised substantial funds totaling over 1 billion yuan within six months, signaling a significant influx of investment into the previously struggling AR sector.One industry professional noted that the barriers to entry for manufacturing AI glasses are relatively low, as key components like cameras are widely available. This indicates that the competition in the AI glasses market primarily revolves around the capabilities of large models and the robustness of accompanying ecosystems. Currently, Rokid Glasses stands out as the only product integrated with super application for payment solutions.However, a significant challenge remains—few consumers are solely investing in the AI functionality alone. This echoes earlier experiences within the automotive industry, where autonomous driving features failed to substantially increase sales of electric vehicles. The impressive success of Meta, selling merely a million units in a year, pales in comparison to smartphone sales, where new models might reach such numbers within days—suggesting that the Chinese market for AI glasses could be limited in terms of players.