Alibaba has officially entered the smart eyewear market. The Chinese tech giant just released its new Quark AI glasses for purchase across China. Shoppers can choose between two main lines: the premium S1 and the budget-friendly G1. Both models come in three different variations to suit different needs.
These devices offer more than just a camera on your face. The glasses connect directly to Alibaba’s Qwen App, which links the hardware to the company’s latest AI technology. Users can interact with this AI using simple voice commands or touch controls on the frame. The features aim to make work and travel easier. For example, the glasses can translate foreign languages in real time or automatically take notes during a business meeting.
Because this is an Alibaba product, the company baked its digital ecosystem right into the hardware. Users can open apps like Alipay for payments and Taobao for shopping without reaching for their phones. Music lovers also get native access to streaming services like QQ Music.
The display technology sets these glasses apart. Like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, the lenses in the Quark glasses function as heads-up displays. The high-end S1 model uses advanced micro-OLED technology to show information. It packs dual chips for heavy processing, allowing the S1 to capture 3K images and shoot AI-enhanced 4K videos. Alibaba also designed the S1 specifically to capture clear footage even in poor lighting.
In contrast, the G1 model focuses on comfort. It is lighter and built for people who want to wear the glasses all day without feeling the weight.
Right now, you can only find these glasses on Chinese e-commerce platforms. Alibaba has not yet said whether it plans to sell them in other countries. For those in China, the price reflects the difference in hardware. The entry-level G1 costs 1,899 yuan (about $268), while the feature-rich S1 starts at 3,799 yuan (around $537).
