Think AR smartglasses and you probably picture Meta's Ray-Bans or Apple's Vision Pro. One company, though, has been quietly perfecting the category since before 2018, and its latest pair might catch you off guard. Rokid has been building AR glasses for years, and the newest model is making noise for the right reasons.
What sets these glasses apart is not just the spec sheet, it is how they pack serious functionality into a device that weighs just 49 grams, making Rokid's claim that it is the lightest "full-function AI and AR glasses" pretty compelling. The dual microLED waveguides provide a true binocular view, and while the display only supports a single color, green, it delivers up to 1,500 nits of brightness that stays visible even in bright outdoor conditions.
The tech that actually works in real-world scenarios
Here is the core. A Qualcomm AR1 chip drives the experience, working alongside an onboard ChatGPT model for AI features. The 12MP camera and five mics handle capture, and tiny speakers deliver audio from videos, music, or AI.
That hardware turns into real utility. PCMag notes both Meta and Rokid use waveguide displays, which rely on etched patterns in flat lenses to channel images from a microprojector to your eye. Rokid offers a 480-by-398 resolution with a slightly wider 23-degree field of view compared with Meta's 20 degrees, and that extra viewing real estate is noticeable when you are actually using them.
The translation features impressed me. The glasses handle real-time translation of up to 89 languages, displaying written text on the lenses, while the speakers can read aloud what they hear. The system taps ChatGPT and Microsoft's online translation engine, with offline support for five languages using a proprietary LLM. That feels practical, not just a demo trick.
Build quality holds up too. These IPX4-rated smart glasses use a magnesium-aluminum alloy frame and TR90 temples with support for prescription lenses. The touch-sensitive surface on the right temple handles taps and swipes, and voice control rounds out an interface that feels intuitive rather than forced.
Why the competition should be worried
Stack Rokid against the big names and clear differences pop up. Meta's Ray-Ban Display offers full color, Rokid's output is limited to green. Green only, sure, yet the image stays sharp and readable even in tough lighting. The Meta Ray-Ban Display can make two-way video calls that show the person you are talking to on the color display, while the Rokid Glasses do not have any functions like that.
Here is the kicker, pricing and practical advantages that could nudge the market. Meta wants $799 for the Ray-Ban Meta Display, while the Rokid Glasses will be $599 after their campaign, with preorders available for $479. That is a meaningful price gap for a device PCMag calls "more refined and polished compared with earlier waveguide smart glasses."
Performance tells the rest of the story. Both cameras use 12MP sensors that capture 4,023-by-3,024 photos, but Rokid has an edge in video, shooting 2,400-by-1,800 clips compared with Meta's 1,920-by-1,440, a nice bump for creators who want cleaner footage.
Battery life plays out similarly. Both Meta and Rokid claim up to six hours, with Rokid specifically promising up to six hours of continuous music playback over Bluetooth. Rokid's optional battery case with a 3,000mAh capacity provides up to 10 full recharges, which stretches total usage time far beyond rivals.
Where Meta pulls ahead is integration and social tricks. Meta heavily promotes its AI capabilities, and the Ray-Ban Display comes with Meta AI built in and fully voice controlled. Rokid offers users a choice between two third-party AI agents, ChatGPT or Qwen. Both devices support visual processing, so you can ask about what you are looking at and get a response.
The practical magic of everyday AR
Rokid leans into useful features instead of fireworks. The AR navigation displays not just directions, but also speed, duration, and arrival time. The glasses can double as a teleprompter, handy for creators and anyone who wants hands free notes.
Under the hood, the choices are practical. There is 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6, and a companion app on your mobile phone that keeps setup simple.
The camera keeps things straightforward. You get a 12MP f/2.25 Sony IMX681 camera with a 3024 x 4032 resolution and a 109° field of view, wide enough for natural capture without the distortion that plagues many action cams. For audio, there are two AAC speakers and four microphones with AI noise reduction, so calls and clips stay clear in busy places.
There are limits. The AI sometimes struggles with accuracy, especially with object ID or messy audio. And unlike Meta's glasses, Rokid's do not come with built-in support for livestreaming. For translation, navigation, quick photo capture, and glanceable info, though, they hit the mark.
Where smart glasses are heading next
Rokid is not stopping at one product. The glasses are available for pre-order with estimated deliveries slated for November, and the suggested retail price will increase significantly to around $740 after launch, which makes the current preorder pricing tempting.
Strategy wise, Rokid is carving out the practical middle ground. Meta leans social, Apple goes premium, and Rokid aims for everyday usefulness without locking you into a single ecosystem. PCMag sums it up nicely, "They are more intuitive and reliable, and I can easily see myself using them regularly for quick tasks like snapping photos or translating languages."
The company has also shown its broader vision with the AR Spatial line, which promises Sony's micro-OLED technology for virtual displays up to 300 inches. That signals a future where AR is not one size fits all, it is a set of tools tuned for mobile productivity, entertainment, or professional work.
The smart glasses war is just heating up, and Rokid's capable entry proves innovation does not always come from the loudest brand. Sometimes it comes from teams that keep iterating while others chase buzz. With practical features, competitive pricing, and solid build quality, Rokid might have found the sweet spot that makes AR glasses useful for regular people, not just early adopters and tech enthusiasts.
Comments
Be the first, drop a comment!