Huawei Enters AI Glasses Market Amidst Fierce Competition
- tech360.tv
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Huawei Technologies has released its initial artificial intelligence glasses, joining an increasingly competitive sector. The Shenzhen-based technology firm now directly competes with US company Meta, alongside Chinese peers such as Alibaba Group Holding and Rokid, in the smart eyewear segment. This development signals a deliberate push by Huawei into an expanding market.
The new eyewear carries a starting price of USD 367, or 2,499 yuan. These glasses weigh 35.5 grams and integrate various AI functions, including voice interaction and payment capabilities.
The device allows users to conduct live streams and participate in video calls from a first-person perspective, powered by Huawei's proprietary chip designed specifically for eyewear.
And, according to He Gang, CEO of Huawei's consumer business, the multimodal AI features also enable the estimation and tracking of food calories and permit payments via QR code scanning. This product line previously offered more basic functions, such as translation, indicating a significant functional upgrade with this introduction. Huawei's entry adds further impetus to China's burgeoning smart eyewear market.
Global shipments of AI smart glasses saw Meta command an 85 percent market share in 2025. The company shipped 7.4 million units, a threefold increase for its Oakley and Ray-Ban branded glasses. This data was provided by Omdia last month, establishing Meta as the dominant player in the worldwide arena.
But, in mainland China, where Meta eyewear is not available, the market dynamics differed. Shipments of AI glasses within mainland China escalated 35-fold in 2025, reaching 950,000 units. Here, Xiaomi led with a 32 percent market share, followed closely by Rokid, which held 29 percent. Alibaba, the parent company of this publication, secured third place with 16 percent of the mainland market.
Omdia forecasts that global shipments for AI glasses will exceed 15 million units in 2026, indicating continued growth for the segment. Chinese smart glasses manufacturer Rokid and smartphone maker Xiaomi held 3.9 percent and 3.5 percent global market shares respectively, according to Omdia's findings. The broad field includes offerings from various established and emerging technology companies.
So, other contenders have also been active in this space. Alibaba introduced new smart glasses powered by its Qwen AI assistant in Feb. The S1 model commenced sales last week, starting at USD 631, or 4,299 yuan. This follows Alibaba's Quark AI Glasses, which launched in Nov. 2025 in mainland China, priced from USD 279, or 1,899 yuan.
Xiaomi presented smart glasses in June, priced at USD 294, or 1,999 yuan. Baidu's Xiaodu AI Glasses Pro also entered the market in Nov., with a price point of USD 338, or 2,299 yuan. These product releases highlight the rapid innovation and competitive pricing strategies in the Chinese smart eyewear sector.
At the same launch event, Huawei also unveiled new handsets within its mid-range flagship Pura 90 series, with prices commencing at USD 690, or 4,699 yuan. This pricing matches its predecessor model, which was released in June. Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei's consumer business group, indicated that memory shortages had increased costs by up to USD 220, or 1,500 yuan.
And, Yu noted that the company operates under substantial pressure regarding its current pricing strategy. He suggested that price increases might become necessary in the future if the company cannot contain rising costs. Huawei remains one of the few domestic smartphone manufacturers that has not yet raised prices, unlike Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi, which have all announced adjustments to absorb increased memory expenses.
Huawei also unveiled its Pura X Max, a book-style foldable model starting at USD 1,615, or 10,999 yuan. This device has garnered industry attention due to its wider horizontal-fold design, which bears a resemblance to Apple's unconfirmed foldable iPhone concept. The introduction of these devices showcases Huawei's broad product development efforts across various technology segments.
Huawei has introduced its first AI glasses, competing with Meta, Alibaba, and Rokid.
The new eyewear costs USD 367 and features voice interaction, payments, and first-person video.
Meta held an 85 percent global market share in AI smart glasses in 2025.
Mainland China saw a 35-fold increase in AI glasses shipments in 2025, led by Xiaomi and Rokid.
Huawei also launched new Pura 90 series handsets and a foldable smartphone.
Source: SCMP
