Alibaba Debuts AI Smartglasses With Dual Displays and Swappable Batteries at MWC
Summary
Alibaba debuts two AI smartglasses at MWC — the Qwen Glasses S1 and G1 — boasting a Snapdragon AR1 chip, 12MP camera, real-time translation, and a swappable dual-battery system, though the monochromatic green HUD display raises questions about whether the hardware can keep pace with full-color competitors.
Key Points
- Alibaba unveils two new AI smartglasses at Mobile World Congress — the Qwen Glasses S1, which features dual in-lens displays, and the G1, which does not, offering AI assistance, real-time translation, photo and video capture, and gesture-based controls.
- The glasses run on a Snapdragon AR1 chip, sport a 12MP camera with 3K video, and feature a standout swappable 272 mAh dual-battery system that directly addresses one of smartglasses' biggest pain points — all-day battery life.
- While the hardware impresses with its lightweight build and practical features, the monochromatic green-tinted HUD display already feels behind the curve as competitors push full-color in-lens experiences that feel more intuitive and closer to everyday devices.