The Evolution of AR Glasses at CES 2025: A Glimpse Into the future of Wearable Tech
Two years ago, at CES 2023, the buzz around augmented reality (AR) glasses was just beginning to build. Fast forward to CES 2025, and the landscape has transformed dramatically. The event was flooded with AR glasses, each vying for attention with promises of cutting-edge technology. Yet, despite the advancements, the industry still has a long way to go.
The State of AR Glasses in 2025
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The displays on AR glasses have never looked better. Controls are tighter, and the overall experience is more polished. However, the best glasses showcased at CES 2025 were still primarily screen replacements rather than true augmented reality devices. Companies like Chamelo introduced smart glasses with colour-changing lenses, while others focused on wearable cameras akin to the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Lenovo made waves with its $400 Legion Glasses 2, an updated version of its 2023 tethered glasses. These new models boast improved screen clarity, brightness, and micro-OLED displays. While they require precise positioning on the face, they deliver stunning visuals and crisp audio, making them a standout for mobile gaming enthusiasts.
XReal’s dominance at CES 2025
Among the sea of AR glasses, XReal emerged as a clear favourite. The company unveiled its $500 XReal One and $600 XReal One Pro, which tether to phones or computers to create a secondary screen. These glasses feature a switch to lock the image in place or allow it to follow your head movements. When connected to a PC, they offer an ultrawide screen view, mimicking the experience of Apple’s Vision Pro ultrawide Mac mirroring at a fraction of the cost.
XReal’s offerings earned a spot on Gizmodo’s best of show list, cementing their status as a leader in the AR space. However, as some readers pointed out, these glasses don’t fully embody the concept of augmented or extended reality (XR). Instead, they excel as high-quality screen replacements.
The Challenges of True XR
Despite the progress, true XR glasses remain elusive. Many of the devices showcased at CES 2025 were still prototypes, struggling to address the same issues that plagued earlier models. For instance, TCL’s RayNeo X3 Pro offered a glimpse into the future of AR but fell short of delivering a fully functional XR experience.
Key Takeaways from CES 2025
Hear’s a quick summary of the standout AR glasses and their features:
| Product | Price | Key Features |
|————————-|———–|———————————————————————————-|
| Lenovo legion Glasses 2 | $400 | Micro-OLED displays, improved brightness, and audio for mobile gaming. |
| XReal One | $500 | Tethers to devices, ultrawide screen view, and image-following functionality.|
| XReal One Pro | $600 | Enhanced features for PC use, including ultrawide screen mirroring. |
| Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses | N/A | Wearable camera functionality, popular for everyday use.|
Looking Ahead
While CES 2025 showcased important advancements in AR glasses, the industry is still grappling with the challenge of delivering true augmented reality experiences. For now, the best devices serve as high-quality screen replacements, offering a glimpse into what the future might hold.
As we move forward, the question remains: when will AR glasses truly revolutionize how we interact with the world? For now, they’re a step in the right direction, but the journey is far from over.
What are your thoughts on the current state of AR glasses? Share your opinions in the comments below!
The Quest for Perfect AR Glasses: A Reality Still in Beta
Augmented reality (AR) glasses have long been heralded as the future of wearable tech, promising to seamlessly blend the digital and physical worlds. Yet, despite years of development, the dream of a fully functional, user-friendly AR experience remains elusive. Recent hands-on experiences with AR glasses from brands like RayNeo, LAWK, and rokid reveal that while progress has been made, significant hurdles still stand in the way of a polished product.
The Promise and Pitfalls of AR Translation
One of the most touted features of AR glasses is their ability to translate languages in real time. During a recent demo, RayNeo’s AR glasses attempted to translate Mandarin to English. While the glasses managed to perform the task, the experience was far from seamless.“With too much clamor around us, the glasses struggled to interpret language accurately or here our commands,” the user reported. The translation process was slow and cumbersome, highlighting the limitations of current AR technology.
The glasses’ touch controls on the right-side arm were functional but inconsistent,requiring precise positioning on the nose to view the green,beta text displayed by the AI-connected software. These issues echo those encountered with earlier prototypes, suggesting that while advancements have been made, the technology is still in its infancy.
Waveguide Displays: A Step forward
One notable improvement in RayNeo’s glasses is the use of Waveguide displays, a departure from the projection-based systems used in competitors like XReal.Waveguide technology offers a more refined visual experience, though it still falls short of delivering a fully immersive AR environment. The glasses also feature two sensors for image recognition and hand tracking, though these capabilities were not demonstrated during the hands-on session.
Similarly, Rokid’s AR glasses showcased app lists viewable through hand controls, but the experience was marred by the same issue of intrusive green text overlaying the user’s field of view.
LAWK Glasses: Style Over Substance?
The LAWK One glasses, designed for sporting enthusiasts, aim to integrate AR features like race timers into a sleek, wraparound design. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. “I promptly felt like the kind of asshole who owns multiple jet skis and wants everyone to know they do,” quipped the reviewer. while the glasses could start a timer, the green text cluttering the user’s view detracted from the experience.
LAWK also introduced the View glasses, which promise TikTok live-streaming capabilities. However, this feature was not available for testing, leaving questions about its practicality and performance.
The Persistent Challenges of AR Glasses
Despite the advancements, AR glasses still feel like a work in progress.“Any real ‘augmented reality’ glasses didn’t feel like a full product,” the reviewer noted, echoing sentiments from previous years. The reliance on external devices for processing power and the limited functionality of on-device AI models remain significant barriers.
Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses have shown glimpses of what true AR could look like, but even they struggle with complex tasks. Without robust on-device processing, AR glasses will continue to rely on smartphones or other external devices, limiting their potential.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | RayNeo | LAWK | Rokid |
|—————————|——————————–|——————————|——————————|
| Display Technology | Waveguide | N/A | N/A |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (not demonstrated) | No | Yes |
| Language Translation | Yes (slow and cumbersome) | No | No |
| Target Audience | General use | Sporting enthusiasts | General use |
The Road Ahead
The journey to perfect AR glasses is far from over. While brands like RayNeo, LAWK, and Rokid are pushing the boundaries, the technology still grapples with issues like intrusive text overlays, slow processing, and limited functionality. As the industry continues to innovate,the dream of seamless AR integration remains tantalizingly out of reach—for now.
For more insights into the latest in wearable tech, check out Gizmodo’s coverage of AR glasses.
What are your thoughts on the current state of AR glasses? Share your opinions in the comments below!The world of augmented reality (AR) glasses is evolving rapidly, but the question remains: when will these futuristic devices become mainstream? Companies like Meta and Samsung are pushing the boundaries of AR technology, but we’re still in the prototype phase. Meta’s Orion project, as a notable example, combines AR glasses with a wristband for motion controls and a pocket-sized processing puck. Simultaneously occurring, rumors suggest Samsung may release its own pair of smart glasses this year, though they’re unlikely to replace your smartphone anytime soon.AR glasses have a unique appeal compared to their bulkier VR counterparts. XReal’s $700 Air 2 Ultra, released last year, showcased hand tracking and AR capabilities. However, when tested, the device felt limited due to its prototype UI. “Developing an untethered UI is hard,” as one reviewer noted.The Spacetop G1 laptop,launched in 2024,uses XReal glasses instead of a traditional screen. While innovative, it runs on an Android-based OS, lacking the full functionality of a Windows PC or Mac. it’s a developer’s dream but not yet ready for the average consumer.
Despite these advancements, AR glasses are still niche. “Nobody but developers and self-proclaimed futurists will find most of these AR glasses useful in day-to-day life,” the article states.Yet, there’s potential. Imagine being on a red-eye flight without an in-seat TV. Lightweight, tethered AR glasses could serve as a secondary screen, offering a more convenient way to watch movies than lugging around a laptop or a hefty Apple Vision Pro headset.
Key AR Glasses Comparison
| Device | Features | Price | Target Audience |
|————————|—————————————————————————–|—————–|—————————|
| Meta’s Orion Project | AR glasses, wristband controls, pocket processing puck | Not disclosed | Developers, tech enthusiasts |
| Samsung Smart Glasses | AI vision functionality, rumored release in 2024 | Not disclosed | Early adopters |
| XReal Air 2 Ultra | Hand tracking, AR capabilities, tethered UI | $700 | Developers, AR enthusiasts |
| Spacetop G1 Laptop | XReal glasses as screen, Android-based OS | Not disclosed | Developers, niche users |
While AR glasses are still in their infancy, companies are betting big on their future. Meta’s Orion project and Samsung’s rumored smart glasses are just the beginning. XReal’s Air 2 Ultra and the Spacetop G1 laptop highlight the potential of AR,even if they’re not yet consumer-ready. For now, these devices remain a playground for developers and early adopters. But as technology advances,AR glasses could soon become as ubiquitous as smartphones.
What do you think? Are AR glasses the future of personal tech, or are they destined to remain a niche product? Share your thoughts below!
The quest for truly revolutionary AR glasses is ongoing, and while significant strides have been made, the technology still feels like it’s in its infancy. Here are some key takeaways and thoughts on the current state of AR glasses:
1. Progress, But Not Perfection
AR glasses from brands like RayNeo, LAWK, and Rokid show promise, but they’re far from delivering a seamless, immersive experience. Features like real-time language translation and hand tracking are extraordinary in theory but often fall short in practice due to slow processing, intrusive overlays, and inconsistent performance.
2. Waveguide Displays: A Step Forward
The adoption of Waveguide displays by RayNeo is a notable advancement over older projection-based systems. This technology offers a more refined visual experience, but it still struggles to create a fully immersive AR environment. The reliance on external devices for processing power also limits the glasses’ potential.
3.Style vs. Functionality
LAWK’s AR glasses, designed for sporting enthusiasts, prioritize style but lack substance. Features like race timers and tiktok live-streaming sound exciting, but the execution is clunky, with green text overlays disrupting the user experience. This highlights a recurring issue in AR glasses: balancing aesthetics with functionality.
4. Persistent Challenges
- Intrusive Overlays: text and graphics often clutter the user’s field of view, detracting from the AR experience.
- Slow Processing: Real-time features like translation and hand tracking are slow and cumbersome.
- Limited on-Device AI: Most AR glasses still rely on external devices for processing, which limits their independence and practicality.
5. The Road Ahead
The dream of seamless AR integration is still a work in progress. companies like Meta and Samsung are investing heavily in AR technology, but we’re likely years away from a polished, mainstream product. Key areas for improvement include:
- On-Device Processing: Reducing reliance on external devices for computing power.
- User Experience: Streamlining interfaces and minimizing intrusive overlays.
- Battery Life: Extending battery life to support prolonged use.
6. Meta’s Orion Project and beyond
Meta’s Orion project and other initiatives from tech giants suggest that the industry is moving closer to a breakthrough. However, until AR glasses can deliver a truly seamless and intuitive experience, they’ll remain a niche product rather than a mainstream necessity.
Final Thoughts
AR glasses are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but the journey to revolutionizing how we interact with the world is far from over. For now, they remain a fascinating glimpse into the future—one that’s still in beta.
What are your thoughts on the current state of AR glasses? Do you think they’ll become mainstream in the next 5-10 years, or are we still decades away from a truly transformative product? Share your opinions below!
