At WAIC 2025 in Shanghai, Alibaba officially introduced its first self-developed smart AR glasses. Featuring binocular Micro-LED waveguide displays, dual-processor architecture, and full integration with Alibaba’s Quark AI assistant, the device marks a serious expansion of Alibaba’s ambitions in the wearables space.
Dual Micro-LED Displays with Waveguide Optics
The glasses are equipped with two independent Micro-LED projectors, one for each eye, enabling true binocular augmented reality. These projectors are embedded in surface-relief diffractive waveguides, offering transparent overlay of digital content directly in the user’s field of view.
Alibaba sources confirmed that both lenses receive individual projection, delivering AR visuals with depth, clarity, and minimal distortion. The optical engines are second-generation “Hummingbird Mini” modules developed by Jade Bird Display (JBD), while the waveguides are supplied by Zhige Technology—two companies Alibaba has invested in.
Snapdragon AR1 and BES2800 Dual-Chip Architecture
Internally, the glasses run on a dual-SoC design consisting of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 and Bestechnic’s BES2800. The AR1 chip handles high-performance AR rendering and AI processing, while the BES2800 manages audio, connectivity, and low-power tasks. This architecture allows the glasses to maintain responsiveness while optimizing for battery life.
The device runs both Android and a real-time operating system in parallel, offering a flexible foundation for voice interaction and AI logic.
12MP Sony Camera with Luxshare Manufacturing
The onboard camera uses the Sony IMX681 12-megapixel sensor, matching what’s found in Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. The camera module is produced by Luxvisions, with full product assembly handled by Luxshare Precision, a manufacturing partner well known for producing devices for Apple, Huawei, and Meta.
Quark AI and Full Alibaba Ecosystem Integration
Alibaba’s glasses are built around Quark AI, powered by the company’s large language model Tongyi Qianwen (Qwen). The assistant supports conversational queries, live translation, and contextual recommendations, directly projected into the user’s field of view.
Beyond the AI layer, the glasses are integrated with core Alibaba services:
• Amap for on-screen turn-by-turn navigation
• Alipay for QR scanning and hands-free payment
• Taobao for visual shopping and search
• Fliggy for travel booking and itinerary reminders
The device is designed to act as a unified, voice-first interface for Alibaba’s digital ecosystem, accessed directly through wearable AR.
Pre-Production Prototype and Industrial Design
The glasses shown at WAIC were pre-production prototypes. The design resembles standard prescription glasses with slightly thickened temple arms that house the processors and battery. Components are rear-weighted for better balance, keeping the front light.
Each lens incorporates transparent waveguide optics, confirming that the device supports see-through AR rather than camera-only use. Attendees did not report hands-on demos, but the showcased hardware appeared finalized in structure and finish.
Launch Plans for Late 2025
Alibaba has confirmed plans to launch the glasses commercially by the end of 2025, with a likely release window targeting China’s Double 11 shopping festival in November. No official pricing or SKUs have been announced. The launch will begin in mainland China via Tmall, with future availability dependent on domestic adoption and ecosystem maturity.
Final Notes
With true dual displays, advanced waveguide optics, and a dual-processor platform, Alibaba’s new smart glasses are poised to challenge established players in the AR space. The device’s deep integration with Quark AI and Alibaba’s service ecosystem positions it not as a standalone gadget but as an extension of the cloud-based lifestyle Alibaba has built across shopping, payment, navigation, and communication.
While full details on pricing, developer support, and international rollout remain unclear, the hardware is real, the prototype is complete, and the launch is set for late 2025.
This is not a concept. This is Alibaba’s first serious bid to define the future of consumer AR.
