AI glasses enter the era of independent smart terminals and begin to take over core smartphone functions.

Smart glasses are undergoing a key transition from mobile phone accessories to independent intelligent terminals. With the integration of eSIM communication modules and the implementation of multimodal AI technologies, this category has begun to substantially take over core mobile phone functions such as calls, connectivity, and complex computing.

According to a research report released by Liu Yuenan's team at Guotai Haitong Securities on the 12th, at the 2026 CES (International Consumer Electronics Show), Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang proposed the concept of "Physical AI", setting the tone for the industry and marking a shift in the AI development focus from the digital world to a stage of deep hardware integration capable of understanding and acting upon the physical world.

Guotai Haitong Securities stated that AI glasses became the focal point of the exhibition. Among approximately 23 related exhibitors, 16 of them were Chinese companies, including brands such as Rayneo (Thunderbird Innovation), Rokid, and INMO. Among these, smart glasses equipped with independent communication capabilities debuted for the first time, breaking the long-standing limitations of reliance on mobile phone computing power and connectivity, and accelerating the industry's move toward large-scale applications.

This technological leap is coupled with robust market growth and favorable policies. According to data from Counterpoint Consulting, global smart glasses shipments in the first half of 2025 surged by 110% year-on-year, with AI glasses accounting for 78% of the total. Meanwhile, by the end of 2025, smart glasses were included for the first time in the national "trade-in" subsidy program, expected to bring a significant increase in market sales in 2026.

Breaking Free from Mobile Constraints: Independent Terminal Form Established

Guotai Haitong Securities stated that a milestone event for AI glasses moving towards independent terminals was Thunderbird Innovation's launch of the first smart glasses X3 Pro Project eSIM at CES that supports eSIM. This product integrates an eSIM communication module and 4G protocol, enabling independent operation separate from mobile phones. Users can make calls, conduct real-time AI conversations, perform real-time translation, and stream online media directly through the glasses without connecting to a mobile phone or WiFi.

Meanwhile, Rokid's newly released AI smart glasses Rokid Style demonstrated the trend towards ecosystem openness. This product weighs 38.5g, uses the Qualcomm AR1 platform and NXP RT600 dual-chip design, guarantees 12 hours of typical battery life, and supports access to various large language models such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, or Qwen, building an open AI service ecosystem.

Tech Giants Accelerate Entry: Faster Software-Hardware Collaboration

In addition to the startups at CES, tech giants are also accelerating product launches. According to the report, ByteDance’s "Doubao" AI glasses are about to enter the shipping stage. ByteDance is responsible for upper-level app development, while Longcheer Technology handles UI and mass production, featuring a proprietary spatial algorithm chip and keeping the product’s weight under 50g. The screenless version of the AI glasses is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026, with an expected starting price below 2,000 RMB. A version with a display is planned for launch in the fourth quarter.

Quark Glasses, under Alibaba, also recently completed a key update. As of December 23, 2025, the inventory of two new Quark Glasses models was sold out. On December 31, they received their first OTA upgrade, adding Qwen AI multi-intent understanding, scan-to-pay for Blue Ring devices, and voiceprint recognition, further enhancing AI’s proactive capabilities in payment and interaction scenarios.

Design Returning to Everyday Life & Evolution of "Physical AI"

Industry trends show that smart glasses are rapidly returning to the role of "everyday accessories." Mainstream product weight has now been reduced to the 30–50g range, with some solutions such as XGIMI Memo Air Display dropping below 30g, greatly improving wearing comfort.

In terms of functionality, the integration of multimodal technologies is driving AI from passive response to proactive service. Based on the concept of "Physical AI," the new generation of glasses can not only perform real-time translation and visual recognition, but also take initiative in business and office settings, such as automatically extracting meeting highlights or providing instant schedule reminders. Additionally, environmental sensing and real-time assistance for the visually and hearing impaired highlight the category’s commercial potential in vertical fields.

Shipment Doubling and Policy Dividend Release

Market data confirms the industry’s prosperity. The report states that in the first half of 2025, global smart glasses shipments maintained rapid growth, with Meta holding a leading 73% share. From a product structure perspective, the proportion of glasses shipped with AI capabilities jumped from 46% in the first half of 2024 to 78% in the same period in 2025, while basic smart glasses with only audio functions saw a sharp decline.

Policy is also providing support for industry expansion. On December 30, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Finance jointly issued a notice: under the mass equipment renewal policy to be carried out in 2026, smart glasses were included for the first time in the digital product purchase subsidy program. Consumers buying products with a per-unit price not exceeding 6,000 RMB can enjoy a 15% rebate on the sales price, with a maximum of 500 RMB per unit. This policy is expected to directly stimulate terminal consumer demand and accelerate the penetration of AI glasses in the consumer market.

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