Alibaba launched the Qwen Glasses N1 series to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. These new gadgets feature 50-megapixel cameras and Qwen AI for real-time translation. The N1 and N1 Pro models use swappable batteries and voice commands. In China, the N1 starts at 2,218 yuan for everyday users.
Alibaba has launched a new pair of AI-powered smart glasses, bringing a Chinese rival to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. The new Qwen Glasses N1 series comes with upgraded cameras, AI features and connected services, as Alibaba looks to bring its Qwen AI assistant to everyday gadgets.
The new range includes two models, the N1 and N1 Pro. Both feature a 50-megapixel camera and support 4K video recording, Live Photos and multi-mode image stabilisation. They also come with Qwen AI applications that offer features such as real-time translation and AI note-taking. The glasses can proactively assist users with tasks such as meeting transcription and travel reminders, rather than simply waiting for them to issue a command.
The glasses use a tri-core computing platform and bone-conduction microphones, allowing users to interact with the AI assistant through voice commands. They also support shopping and payment functions, connecting the hardware to Alibaba's wider ecosystem of services.
Battery life is another focus. Both models feature a dual-battery design with swappable batteries, allowing users to replace the battery in the glasses' temples when needed. The standard N1 offers up to nine hours of battery life, while the N1 Pro is rated for up to eight hours. Alibaba also says the glasses can offer up to 25 hours of standby time, highlighting the flexibility of the battery-swapping system.
Meanwhile, the N1 Pro is the more advanced model, adding eye-tracking interaction, iris-based authentication for payments and health monitoring. Its health features can track metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels and skin temperature, with AI-powered insights based on the collected data. The standard N1, meanwhile, focuses on first-person video recording and core AI features, leaving out eye tracking, iris scanning and health monitoring.
Alibaba AI glasses price
In China, the N1 Pro starts at 2,600 yuan, while the standard N1 starts at 2,218 yuan, according to reports. These are subsidised launch prices, while higher-priced configurations offer additional battery-related benefits. Bloomberg, meanwhile, reports that the Qwen Glasses N1 series starts at 2,999 yuan (around $450) before discounts.
Alibaba takes on Meta
The launch puts Alibaba in more direct competition with Meta, which has been expanding its smart glasses line-up and integrating its Muse AI assistant into consumer devices. Meta's Ray-Ban glasses combine cameras, microphones and AI assistance, while Alibaba is looking to differentiate its offering through features such as iris-based payments, health tracking and integration with its shopping services.
Alibaba has been pushing to build what it describes as an all-stack AI business, spanning large language models, chatbot applications, AI chips and consumer hardware. The Qwen glasses are part of that strategy, giving users another way to access its AI technology beyond a smartphone app or chatbot.
Alongside the glasses, Alibaba has also started selling its Qwen Clip AI earbuds, developed with Bose. Priced at 1,299 yuan, the earbuds offer another way to access Qwen's AI capabilities through wearable devices.