Alibaba introduces new Quark AI glasses for US$537 to compete with wearables from Meta, Xiaomi, Rokid

Alibaba Group Holding has officially launched its inaugural line of artificial intelligence glasses in China, aiming to secure a strong position in the expanding smart wearable market. The series, named Quark AI Glasses after the companys Quark AI assistant, includes three versions of the flagship S1 model and three of the lighter G1 model.

Alibaba vice-president Wu Jia highlighted the significance of the new device, stating, "AI glasses are devices that truly redefine human-computer interaction in the AI era. Their importance rivals that of mobile phones."

The S1 model, starting at 3,799 yuan (approximately US$537), features a dual-chip setup combining Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 processor with a low-power coprocessor. The device offers hands-free AI assistance for daily tasks, including answering questions, real-time translation, navigation, and payment functions.

The G1 variant, priced from 1,899 yuan and weighing just 40 grams, shares much of the S1s hardware except for the display, offering a more lightweight alternative.

The Quark AI Glasses series positions Alibaba to compete with global players like Meta Platforms Ray-Ban Display launched in September, as well as Chinese competitors Rokid and Xiaomi. While the Meta glasses feature a full-color display in the right lens and retail from US$799, the Quark models come with a monochrome green display.

The product debut follows a preview in July that generated anticipation for Alibabas first smart wearable devices. Pre-sales began in late October across domestic e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, JD.com, and Douyin, though no international release has been announced.

According to Counterpoint, shipments of smart glasses globally more than doubled in the first half of 2025, driven by Meta and new offerings from Chinese brands. Xiaomi released its model in June for 1,999 yuan, while Baidus Xiaodu AI Glass Pro hit the market earlier this month at 2,299 yuan. Hangzhou-based startup Rokid introduced lightweight AI glasses from 2,199 yuan, developed in collaboration with eyewear brand Bolon.

Alibaba emphasized the deep integration of Quark AI Glasses with its ecosystem, connecting services such as Amap, Taobao, Fliggy, and Alipay. The company is also collaborating with external partners like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music to provide a seamless experience across shopping, travel, payments, entertainment, and productivity.

Photo: A visitor tries on Quark AI Glasses at Alibaba's booth during the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen on November 8, 2025.

Author’s Analysis: Alibaba Enters the AI Glasses Market

I view the launch of Quark AI Glasses as Alibaba’s formal entry into a rapidly accelerating smart wearable segment. With two distinct product lines, S1 and G1, the company is addressing both premium and lightweight use cases while anchoring pricing within the range already established by domestic competitors.

From a technical perspective, the dual-chip configuration in the S1 model and the focus on hands-free AI functions align with current market expectations for practical, daily-use AI wearables. The lighter G1 version extends this approach to a broader consumer base by prioritizing comfort and affordability over display capability.

In competitive terms, Alibaba is positioning Quark AI Glasses directly against products from Meta, Xiaomi, Baidu, and Rokid. While the display technology differs from Meta’s offering, the integration with Alibaba’s ecosystem represents a clear differentiator in payments, navigation, and commerce-related use cases.

The timing of the release coincides with strong global shipment growth in smart glasses, as reported by Counterpoint. Based on available information, Alibaba’s strategy is focused on domestic adoption first, supported by pre-sales across major Chinese e-commerce platforms and deep service integration, with no confirmed plans for international distribution.

Sources:

• Alibaba launches US$537 Quark AI glasses to challenge wearables from Meta, Xiaomi, Rokid