Chinese tech giant Alibaba has entered the AI smartglasses race , introducing the Quark headsets in China. Importantly, the batteries can be replaced for all-day use, unlike competitors.
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Alibaba said the Quark AI glasses will come in two variants, the flagship S1 and the “lifestyle-focused” G1, in multiple colors and lens types. Prices start at 3,799 yuan ($537) and 1,899 yuan ($268), respectively. The main difference is the lenses, with the S1 using transparent micro-OLED displays.
Both models feature bone conduction microphones, built-in cameras , and a “replaceable dual battery system,” offering up to 24 hours of battery life. They are powered by Alibaba’s AI model, Qwen, and a connected app, allowing for control via voice or touch.
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Alibaba – Quark smart glasses: Integration with apps
Alibaba said the glasses will integrate with its apps, such as Alipay and Taobao, as well as music streaming such as QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music. They will provide services such as on-the-go translation, instant price recognition, navigation support and meeting transcription.
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International models will be available next year, according to Bloomberg, although specific markets have not been identified.
The glasses represent the company's attempt to penetrate the market for mobile devices with artificial intelligence . According to technology companies, these devices could be the next big consumer gadget. Meta, with its glasses Ray-Ban , is currently the leader, but competitors such as Apple and Sam Altman 's collaboration with Jony Ive are struggling to fill the gap.
