Alibaba Enters Smart Glasses Race with Quark AI Glasses, Emphasizing All-Day Battery Life

Chinese technology giant Alibaba has entered the smart glasses market with the launch of its Quark AI Glasses series in China. The device introduces a key feature designed to boost real-world usability: swappable batteries. This innovation addresses a significant hurdle for wearable technology by promising extensive all-day operation, with Alibaba stating the dual-battery system is capable of delivering up to 24 hours of use.

The Quark AI Glasses are powered by Alibaba’s own Large Language Model, Qwen AI, enabling the device to function as an always-on, ambient personal assistant. Control is managed through voice commands and touch gestures, utilizing built-in bone conduction microphones. The S1 flagship model ($537) includes micro-OLED displays that overlay information onto the user's vision, supporting functions such as real-time conversation translation, instant price recognition while shopping, and turn-by-turn navigation.

Alibaba’s approach focuses on Ambient Computing, providing AI assistance for specific tasks throughout the day. Both the S1 and the more affordable G1 model ($268) are integrated into the Alibaba ecosystem, facilitating quick payments via Alipay and shopping via Taobao.

The competitive pricing of the G1 model undercuts many display-equipped smart glasses on the market. By solving the persistent challenge of battery life and offering aggressive pricing, Alibaba creates competitive pressure on established players like Meta. Alibaba has confirmed the launch is currently focused on the China market, with plans for future international availability to be announced. The company is betting that a focus on practical utility and hardware reliability will drive greater consumer adoption of AI-powered wearables.