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: Sophia Brooks