Key Highlights:
- Alibaba has debuted Quark S1 and G1 AI Glasses powered by its Qwen AI model.
- The new AI glasses integrate deeply with Alibaba ecosystem, giving users immediate access to Alipay, Taobao, and local services.
- The Quark S1 AI Glass starts at 3,799 Yuan (~ $537), whereas the G1 model are up for grabs for 1,899 Yuan (~ $268).
What used to sound like an example straight out of a sci-fi movie, AI-powered glasses have started to become a thing. While most of the market is dominated by popular glasses like Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, XREAL One Pro, and many others, there is a new addition to that list, and it comes straight from China. Alibaba has launched Quark AI Glass series that directly take on the likes of options from Meta and others. There are three variants of the flagship dual-display S1 and three sleek versions of the camera-first G1 model, which comes with multiple frame colors and lens options.
Alibaba’s new Quark S1 and G1 AI Glasses are here
These AI glasses were launched in China, where the market is already condensed with options from Xiaomi, Baidu and others. The Quark AI Glasses are powered by Alibaba’s Qwen AI model (QWN). It’s worth noting that these ones are made to look like standard eyewear with simple frame design that blends into daily use. The Quark S1 AI Glass starts at 3,799 Yuan (~ $537), whereas the lifestyle-focused G1 models are up for grabs for 1,899 Yuan (~ $268).
One of the interesting parts of these AI Glass is that they’re deeply integrated into Alibaba’s ecosystem. Users can access Alipay, Tao, translation tools, navigation guidance, and instant price recognition while they’re shopping. Users can use voice commands like “Hello Qwen” or touch controls to prompt the AI to help them.
According to analyst Lee Chang Dong, the product works more like a life assistant while reflecting on Alibaba’s strengths in payment, shopping, and local services. Ching also says that Alibaba is not a monopoly in e-commerce. It hopes AI can help it secure the next-generation traffic gateway. With instant product identification, hands-free price checks, and quick payment access, Quark’s AI Glasses can be the next major interface for online shopping for the coming generation.
Speaking from the global market POV, Quark’s immediate rival is Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. Yes, Meta dominates most of the AR and smart glasses spaceQuark AI glasses (2), holding around 80% of the market with products like Meta Quest and Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Those focus on hands-free photography, video capture, real-time AI assistance, and social experiences integrated into Meta platforms. But a new product always comes with endless possibilities, and Alibaba must be hoping for that. Do note that these aren’t being positioned to rival Apple’s Vision Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy XR Headset for that matter. That’s a different product category altogether.
Immediate rivals and availability
Speaking of the launch of Quark AI Glasses in the context of the Chinese market, Alibaba isn’t the only one to drop something like this. Sami already has AI smart glasses under its belt while Baidu already sells similar AI-powered pairs. Meanwhile, other companies in China are also testing AR frames for everyday use. So, it’s safe to say that the Quark AI Glasses have to compete immediate competition in its homeland rather than those which are marketed currently in the U.S. And given the position the U.S. is holding in the current AI race, I am quite skeptical that this product would be shipped to the US.
When it comes to availability, the Quark AI Glasses are now available on major Chinese platforms including Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin. With Alibaba now officially in the mix, the rivalry between Meta, Apple, Samsung, Google, and Chinese hardware makers is set to accelerate even further, and it will be interesting, being one of the tech enthusiasts, to look at that further down the line.
