Alibaba Calls Its New AI Glasses The 'Next Mobile Phone,' Unveiling Tech To Rival Apple, Samsung

<p><strong>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. &#8211; ADR</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BABA" data-exchange="NYSE" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BABA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BABA">BABA</a>)</a> launched its first <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence glasses</a> in China on Thursday, accelerating its push into the fast-growing smart wearables market.</p>



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<p>The new Quark artificial intelligence (AI) Glasses — named after Alibaba's Quark AI assistant — come in two lines: the flagship<strong> S1</strong> with three variations and the lightweight <strong>G1</strong>, also with three versions.</p>



<p>"AI glasses are the intelligent devices that truly usher in a revolution in human-computer interaction in the AI era," Alibaba vice-president Wu Jia <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3334399/alibaba-launches-us537-quark-ai-glasses-challenge-wearables-meta-xiaomi-rokid" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> SCMP. "Their importance is no less than that of mobile phones."</p>



<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46654514/alibabas-new-ai-glasses-let-you-pay-navigate-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alibaba&#8217;s New AI Glasses Let You Pay, Navigate, And More</a></strong></p>



<p>Alibaba priced the S1 starting at 3,799 yuan ($537).</p>



<p>Alibaba sees smart glasses as the next major consumer platform after smartphones — a view shared by global competitors such as <strong>Meta Platforms Inc</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="META" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META">META</a>)</a>, <strong>Apple Inc</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="AAPL" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL">AAPL</a>)</a> and <strong>Samsung Electronics Co Ltd</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SSNLF" data-exchange="OTC" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SSNLF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SSNLF">SSNLF</a>)</a> — and a strategic way to capture the next generation of user traffic in China's increasingly competitive e-commerce and consumer AI markets.</p>



<p>The model features a dual-chip system powered by <strong>Qualcomm Inc's </strong><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/QCOM" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="QCOM" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/QCOM">QCOM</a>)</a> Snapdragon AR1 processor and a low-power coprocessor. The company said the S1 offers hands-free assistance for daily tasks — including real-time translation, navigation, payments, and responses to user questions — through the Quark assistant and Qwen AI, Alibaba's ChatGPT-style model.</p>



<p>The G1, priced from 1,899 yuan and weighing 40 grams, shares the S1's core hardware without the display, offering a lighter alternative focused on camera and AI functions.</p>



<p>Alibaba positioned the Quark lineup as a direct competitor to Meta&#8217;s Ray-Ban Display glasses, released in September for $799 with a full-color display.</p>



<p>Apple is developing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/10/48121620/meta-ray-ban-target-10-million-ai-glass-units-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple head-mounted devices</a> with launches expected by 2027, aiming to leap ahead of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses lineup.</p>



<p><strong>Snap Inc</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SNAP" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SNAP" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SNAP">SNAP</a>)</a> is also preparing lightweight AR glasses to join the race.</p>



<p><strong>Amazon.com Inc</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="AMZN" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN">AMZN</a>)</a> added to the momentum by unveiling AI-powered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/10/48380156/amazons-new-ai-glasses-guide-drivers-hands-free" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smart delivery glasses</a> that provide drivers with hands-free navigation, package identification and real-time task updates.</p>



<p>The system uses computer vision and geospatial mapping to boost delivery safety and efficiency, with more driver-assist features on the way.</p>



<p>Alibaba&#8217;s Quark glasses include a monochrome green display on the S1, along with bone-conduction microphones, built-in cameras, and a swappable dual-battery system that supports up to 24 hours of use.</p>



<p>The company previewed the glasses in July, sparking early interest, and began presales in late October on major Chinese e-commerce platforms, including Taobao, <strong>JD.com Inc</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="JD" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JD">JD</a>)</a> and Douyin.</p>



<p>The release follows a surge in the global smart glasses market — with shipments more than doubling in the first half of 2025, driven largely by Meta's products, according to Counterpoint Research.</p>



<p>Chinese rivals are also ramping up competition. <strong>Xiaomi Corp</strong> <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="XIACY" data-exchange="OTC" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XIACY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XIACY">XIACY</a>)</a> launched a 1,999-yuan model in June, <strong>Baidu Inc.'s </strong><a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BIDU" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BIDU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BIDU">BIDU</a>)</a> Xiaodu AI Glass Pro went on sale this month for 2,299 yuan, and Rokid introduced its lightweight device priced from 2,199 yuan in partnership with eyewear brand Bolon.</p>



<p>Alibaba emphasized the deep integration of Quark AI Glasses with its extensive app ecosystem.</p>



<p>It included enabling seamless access to Amap mapping, Taobao shopping searches, Fliggy travel bookings and Alipay mobile payments via Ant Group.</p>



<p>The company is also expanding partnerships with external services — including QQ Music and <strong>NetEase Inc</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NTES" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="NTES" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NTES">NTES</a>)</a> Cloud Music — to unify experiences across shopping, travel, entertainment, and productivity.</p>



<p>A camera in the lens lets users scan products and instantly view Taobao pricing. Other features include AI-generated meeting notes, image recognition, real-time navigation cues, and 3K photo + 4K AI-upscaled video capture using Alibaba's Super Raw image enhancement.</p>



<p><strong>BABA</strong> <strong>Price Action:</strong>&nbsp;BABA shares were down 1.35% at $155.47 in pre-market trading on Friday. </p>



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<p><em>Photo: Shutterstock</em></p>