Alibaba has officially entered the AI glasses race. The Quark AI Glasses, powered by the company’s Qwen large language model, are now available for purchase — positioning Alibaba as a serious competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Introduction#
On November 27, 2025, Alibaba launched its highly anticipated Quark AI Glasses series in China. This marks the tech giant’s first foray into the smart glasses market, a category that many believe will be the next major computing platform after smartphones.
The Quark AI Glasses come in two variants: the flagship S1 with a dual Micro LED display system, and the more affordable G1 targeting everyday wearability. Both models are deeply integrated with Alibaba’s Qwen AI and its ecosystem of services including Alipay, Taobao, Amap (Gaode Maps), and Fliggy.
For Western audiences watching the AI hardware space, this launch signals a significant escalation in the global smart glasses competition — with aggressive pricing that undercuts Meta’s offerings by roughly 33%.
Models & Pricing#
Alibaba offers two distinct product lines to cover different user needs and budgets:
| Model | Price (CNY) | Price (USD) | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quark S1 | ¥3,799 | ~$537 | Dual Micro LED near-eye display |
| Quark G1 | ¥1,899 | ~$268 | Audio-first, no display, ultra-lightweight |
The S1 is positioned as a full-featured AR smart glasses experience, while the G1 strips away the display to prioritize comfort and battery life for users who primarily want AI voice assistance and audio features.
Both models are currently available on major Chinese e-commerce platforms including Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin. International versions are expected to launch next year, with some models potentially available via AliExpress.
Hardware Specifications#
Quark S1 — Flagship Model#
The S1 represents Alibaba’s most ambitious hardware effort, featuring industry-leading specifications:
Display System
The S1 uses dual Micro LED light engines with diffractive waveguide lenses. The display delivers up to 2,300 nits of eye brightness (4,000 nits peak), allowing users to view information clearly even in bright outdoor conditions. The viewing distance and display height are adjustable for personalized comfort.
Processing Power
The glasses run on a dual-chip architecture: Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 paired with a Bestechnic BES2800 low-power co-processor. This enables a dual-OS setup (Android + RTOS) for dynamic resource allocation — performance when you need it, efficiency when you don’t.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 |
| Co-processor | Bestechnic BES2800 |
| Storage | 3GB RAM + 32GB |
| OS | Android + RTOS dual system |
Camera & Imaging
The S1 features a Sony IMX681 sensor with 12MP resolution and a 109-degree field of view. It captures photos at 4032×3024 resolution and records 3K video at 30fps (upscaled to 4K/60fps via cloud AI processing).
Key imaging features include EIS stabilization, Super Night Mode (SuperRAW dark enhancement), and 0.6-second instant capture.
Audio & Voice
The S1 packs an impressive audio array: 5 microphones plus a bone-conduction unit for voice pickup, achieving 98% voice recognition accuracy even in noisy environments. Dual 10mm speakers with spatial audio deliver immersive sound while maintaining privacy through directional output.
Battery & Charging
Perhaps the most innovative hardware feature: swappable dual batteries. Each temple arm houses a 287mAh battery that can be hot-swapped without powering down the device.
| Battery Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Use | ~7 hours |
| Standby | ~25 hours |
| With Swap Batteries | Up to 24 hours |
Alibaba offers three charging options: a MiniBag dock (700mAh), a 2,500mAh charging case, and a USB-C fast-charging clip that delivers 50% power in 10 minutes.
Design & Comfort
Weight comes in at just 51g. The temple width is as thin as 7.5mm — claimed to be the thinnest in its class. The titanium alloy frame uses a 1:1 front-back weight distribution optimized for Asian face shapes, though the ergonomic design should suit most users.
For prescription lens wearers, Alibaba offers integrated lens solutions from 0 to 800 degrees in 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74 refractive index options.
Quark G1 — Lifestyle Model#
The G1 prioritizes everyday wearability over display capabilities:
- No near-eye display (audio-only AI interaction)
- Lighter weight for all-day comfort
- Extended battery life
- Same Qwen AI integration and ecosystem access
- Available in sunglasses variant
- Starting at ¥1,899 (~$268)
AI Features & Qwen Integration#
The Quark AI Glasses are designed as a physical endpoint for Alibaba’s Qwen large language model. Users can activate the AI assistant via voice commands (“Hello Qwen” or “Hello Quark”) or touch controls.
Core AI Capabilities#
Multimodal Understanding
The glasses combine voice and vision for real-time AI interactions. Point at an object, ask a question, and get instant answers. The system can identify plants, landmarks, products, and more using Alibaba’s massive image recognition database.
Real-Time Translation
Support for 9 languages (expanding) with multiple modes: simultaneous interpretation, face-to-face conversation translation, and photo translation. The near-eye display shows translated text in real-time.
AI Meeting Notes
Automatically generate meeting summaries and action items. The bone-conduction microphone array ensures accurate voice capture even in conference room settings.
Smart Reminders
Capture tasks and reminders on-the-go with voice or quick photo capture. The AI processes and organizes your notes automatically.
Alibaba Ecosystem Integration#
This is where Quark AI Glasses differentiate themselves from Western competitors. The deep integration with Alibaba’s service ecosystem creates unique use cases:
Amap (Gaode) Near-Eye Navigation#
The killer feature for many users. Turn-by-turn navigation is projected directly onto your field of view, with arrows that rotate as you turn your head. Perfect for walking, cycling, or scooter navigation without looking at your phone.
Alipay “Look to Pay”#
Make payments by simply looking at a QR code. The system uses bone-conduction voiceprint verification for security — only the wearer’s voice can authorize transactions. No need to pull out your phone at checkout.
Taobao Price Comparison#
See a product you like? Point the glasses at it and instantly get price comparisons from Taobao. The AI identifies the product and shows you the best online deals.
Fliggy Travel Assistant#
Get real-time travel reminders, flight updates, and itinerary information displayed on your glasses.
How It Compares to Meta Ray-Ban#
The obvious comparison is to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, currently the market leader in the West.
| Feature | Quark S1 | Meta Ray-Ban Display | Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$537 | $799 | $299 |
| Display | Dual Micro LED | Single display | No display |
| AI Model | Qwen LLM | Meta AI | Meta AI |
| Video | 3K (4K upscaled) | 1080p | 1080p |
| Battery (Active) | 7 hours | ~4 hours | ~4 hours |
| Swappable Battery | Yes | No | No |
| Ecosystem | Alibaba services | Meta/WhatsApp | Meta/WhatsApp |
The Quark S1 offers more advanced hardware at a lower price point. However, the ecosystem integration is currently China-focused, which limits international appeal until Alibaba launches localized versions.
Market Context#
The smart glasses market is heating up rapidly. According to Omdia forecasts, AI glasses shipments are expected to exceed 10 million units by 2026, doubling from 2025 levels.
China has seen 1.6 million smart glasses shipments in the year to September 2025, with Xiaomi claiming roughly a third of the market. Alibaba’s entry adds significant competition.
Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly paused its “Vision Air” headset development to fast-track its own smart glasses product — a validation of the form factor as the next computing platform.
Availability & International Launch#
Currently, Quark AI Glasses are available only in China through:
- Tmall (Alibaba’s flagship e-commerce platform)
- JD.com
- Douyin (TikTok China)
- 604+ physical retail stores across 82 cities
International Timeline: Alibaba has confirmed that international versions will launch next year, with some models potentially available via AliExpress. However, the deep ecosystem integration (Alipay, Taobao, Amap) will likely require significant localization.
Pros & Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Industry-leading display (2,300 nits dual Micro LED) | Currently China-only |
| Aggressive pricing vs. Meta Ray-Ban | Ecosystem features require Alibaba services |
| Innovative swappable battery design | Heavily dependent on phone connection |
| Deep Qwen LLM integration | Limited third-party app support |
| Prescription lens support built-in | No English language support yet |
| 3K/4K video with night mode | International localization uncertain |
Final Thoughts#
The Quark AI Glasses represent Alibaba’s serious commitment to the AI hardware space. The combination of advanced display technology, powerful AI integration, and unique ecosystem features — all at a price point significantly below Meta’s offerings — makes this a compelling product for the Chinese market.
For international users, the wait continues. But the aggressive pricing and feature set suggest that when Alibaba does launch globally, it could significantly disrupt the current Meta-dominated landscape.
The bigger picture? We’re witnessing the beginning of a global “smart glasses war” where Chinese and Western tech giants compete to define the next computing platform. Alibaba’s entry confirms that AI glasses are no longer a niche product — they’re the future of personal computing.
Stay tuned to AI Tools DevPro for updates on international availability and hands-on reviews when Quark AI Glasses launch outside China.
Related Articles:
