Picture this: you’re at a concert, fully immersed in the music, waving a glow stick as your favorite artist performs. You decide to capture the moment and lightly tap your glasses. Without reaching for your phone, the gadget starts recording, preserving the experience effortlessly.
Not long ago, this scenario might have seemed farfetched. Today, it’s reality, thanks to artificial intelligence-powered wearables.
Among these, AI glasses have emerged as a breakout product in the smart wearables market, combining advanced technology with everyday convenience.
AI glasses have seen a surge in development and popularity over the past year. By May 2024, WellsennXR estimated that Ray-Ban Meta’s smart glasses had sold nearly 2 million units. Tech giants like Baidu and Xiaomi are joining the race, with Baidu planning to release its “Xiaodu AI Glasses”—powered by a Chinese large language model—in the first half of 2025, and Xiaomi collaborating with GoerTek to launch its version in the second quarter.
These glasses are no longer limited to vision correction. They are now stylish, portable, and seamlessly integrated into daily life, offering new forms of interaction and a range of capabilities.
AI glasses typically fall into two categories. The first type is AI-native, designed with AI technology at its core to offer robust computational capabilities, such as those made by Baidu’s Xiaodu. The second type builds on traditional eyewear, like prescription glasses or sunglasses, by adding AI modules and functionalities, exemplified by Ray-Ban Meta.
In terms of pricing, most products currently range between RMB 2,000–4,000 (USD 280–560), with some high-end models incorporating more advanced augmented reality (AR) technology priced above RMB 4,000.
Sharge Technology recently entered the market with its Sharge A1 glasses, emphasizing AI-enhanced memory. Combining a smart speaker, voice recorder, and action camera, the Sharge A1 mirrors Ray-Ban Meta’s aesthetic at half the price. During its crowdfunding campaign, Sharge broke the RMB 1,000 (USD 140) barrier, pricing the A1 at RMB 999. Early buyers who completed certain tasks also received perks like cashback coupons.
The launch was a resounding success. All 50,000 units sold out on the first day of preorders. Sharge plans to scale up production before the Lunar New Year and introduce sunglasses and clear lens options shortly after.
36Kr has learned that Sharge expects to sell 500,000 units in its first year to breakeven, generating RMB 600 million (USD 84 million) in revenue. With substantial batch orders already secured, the company has laid the groundwork for most of its 2025 sales projections.
The year 2025 is shaping up to be transformative for the AI glasses industry, with intensifying competition expected. Formerly recognized for its power bank products, Sharge has made a bold entrance into the AI glasses market by pricing its debut model at RMB 999. This move hints at an imminent price war that could accelerate faster and with greater intensity than industry observers anticipated.
Introducing AI-enhanced memory for everyday moments
Sharge’s AI glasses prioritize audiovisual recording, catering to everyday users over tech enthusiasts. The lightweight, accessible design is ideal for capturing cherished moments like family gatherings, sightseeing, concerts, theater performances, or playful interactions with pets and loved ones.
Rather than striving for all-encompassing AI capabilities, Sharge focuses on directive memory tasks. Founder Zhang Bo explained, “Our goal is to enable directive AI memory—capturing only what users want to remember. While it’s not human-level intelligence, it surpasses human memory in its ability to record and retain information instantly. This is our core differentiator.”
The Sharge A1’s flagship feature is photography, powered by a Sony 16-megapixel camera with a 123-degree ultrawide-angle lens that closely mimics human vision. Optimized for low power consumption and equipped with image stabilization, the camera delivers high-quality, full-resolution images tailored to various user needs.
For audio, the glasses feature Hi-Fi speakers with technology akin to the iPhone’s Taptic Engine, ensuring authentic sound reproduction. Dual digital signal processing (DSP) amplifiers further enhance the experience, delivering high-fidelity stereo sound superior to competing products.
At the heart of the Sharge A1 is the proprietary Loomo OS, which efficiently records and organizes multimodal data—voice, text, and images—while supporting fast storage and seamless synchronization across devices.
Leveraging its expertise in energy solutions, Sharge has integrated a range-extending battery pack with a 6,500 milliampere-hour capacity. Designed to hang comfortably around the neck, this portable power bank extends usage time and even provides reverse charging for smartphones and other devices.
Sharge’s strategy is reminiscent of the early smartphone market, where brands like Oppo and Vivo emphasized features like camera quality and sleek design to attract a broad audience. By addressing the practical needs of everyday users with targeted innovations, Sharge avoids competing purely on technical specifications or price.
Can Sharge sell 500,000 units?
AI glasses have long been a focal point of wearable technology development, but widespread consumer adoption has been hampered by challenges such as weight, cost, durability, and after-sales support—key factors that shape user expectations.
To address these barriers, Sharge partnered with eyewear brand Loho to create a more user-friendly product. The Sharge A1 features lightweight resin frames with sleek black designs and an innovative battery-back placement within the temple arms, significantly reducing pressure on the nose bridge. These design optimizations bring the effective weight to just 30 grams, comparable to standard eyeglasses.
The collaboration extends beyond design. Loho’s network of over 1,000 stores in more than 150 cities across China enables potential customers to experience AI glasses firsthand. These stores offer integrated services, including design consultations, eye exams, lens customization, and production. By leveraging Loho’s infrastructure, Sharge not only improves accessibility but also lowers the cost of educating the market about AI glasses.
Currently, the Sharge A1 offers limited lens options, with in-store customization recommended for users with specific prescriptions. As production capabilities expand, Sharge plans to launch dozens of new AI glasses styles by 2026.
The Sharge A1 is priced at RMB 1,499 (USD 210) for the retail version and RMB 999 for the crowdfunding edition. An annual subscription for AI and cloud services, priced at RMB 299 (USD 42), is included, with the first year free.
According to Market Monitor, the smart glasses market is projected to reach RMB 106.78 billion (USD 15 billion) by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.56%. Despite this promising outlook, the AI glasses segment is said to still be in its early stages of growth.
Zhang likened the market’s current state to the launch of the iPhone. “We believe this is an iPhone moment for AI glasses. As an early entrant, Sharge is poised to grow stronger,” he said. While the Sharge A1 boasts mature hardware, AI assistant capabilities, cloud services, and memory functions, the company continues to face challenges in scaling production and refining its software. Future updates will introduce features such as real-time translation, live streaming, intelligent memory, and voice-to-text transcription.
Since its fundraising campaign in August 2024, Sharge has raised over RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) from various investors, including Forebright Capital, Light Cone’s frontier technology fund, Intellifusion, and Vitalbridge.
Unlike some competitors still in development phases, Sharge has captured market share by launching and selling its AI glasses immediately. Its combination of affordability, performance, and Loho’s extensive retail presence positions the company as a frontrunner in accelerating the adoption of AI glasses.
However, as tech giants join the fray, prices are expected to drop further, further price reductions are anticipated, posing a substantial challenge for midsized players like Sharge. The consumer electronics sector is replete with once-promising startups that faltered under competitive pressures. Only time will tell if Sharge can defy this trend and become a lasting player in the AI glasses market.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.