HUAWEI Smart Glasses vs Ray-Ban Stories vs OPPO Air Glass

2022 marks the ninth year since Google launched the first smart glasses, the Google Glass. Although the product ultimately fell short for various reasons, the visionary effort has undoubtedly paved the way for the future of digital interfaces.

Since then, many tech giants and inventors have entered the niche market with their own iterations of wearable computer glasses. And now, nearly a decade later, HUAWEI, Meta (Facebook) and OPPO have also joined the smart glasses market.

If you feel out of the loop, then don’t worry! This article will detail and compare these spectacles’ different functions and features.

Without further adieu, let’s dive into the ultimate smart glasses showdown!

First Off, What Are Smart Glasses?

Smart glasses have gained popularity in the consumer market in recent years. Similar to smartwatches, they are wearable devices that can access and relay useful information to the user.

By using simple hand gestures and voice commands, you can ask for instructions, directions and information through the device. You can also interact with surrounding devices such as audio systems, home appliances and alarm systems using the gadget.

There are also AR (Augmented Reality) glasses or headsets that go beyond projecting static information onto a transparent screen. AR glasses can sense our surroundings and present digital information as if it exists within our reality!

Some smart glasses may have AR-like functionality, but most of the time, they don’t fall into the AR glasses category.

HUAWEI Smart Glasses

The HUAWEI Smart Glasses is HUAWEI’s first entry into the market. It boasts a version of HUAWEI’s custom OS, HarmonyOS, that also powers its devices like phones, smartwatches and TVs.

HUAWEI’s new smart glasses essentially allow you to carry an assistant wherever you go. The smart assistant can provide weather information, remind the user of appointments, read messages and offer translations. Moreover, the posture detection feature can alert you to sit upright whenever your head is tilted downwards for a long time.

Furthermore, the detachable front of the spectacles is replaceable with one of three styles: Classic, Stylish pilot, or Retro round. The frames are also available in various colours and can fit prescription lenses.

The HUAWEI Smart Glasses cost 1699 yuan (~RM1,120), while the sunglasses version is 1899 yuan (~RM1,252). Although the spectacles are only available in China, they could be released globally in the future.

Ray-Ban Stories

Ray-Ban Stories is Meta’s (formerly Facebook) first-gen smart glasses that are similar to the Snapchat Spectacles in some aspects. Many consider them the precursor to Meta’s full-fledged AR devices that the company will release down the line.

The spectacles feature two 5MP front cameras capable of capturing and storing 500 photos and three dozen 30-second videos. Aside from the camera features, they also sport microphones and two Bluetooth speakers embedded in the frames.

One noteworthy aspect of the Ray-Ban Stories is its design and aesthetics that look like everyday glasses. The average user would appreciate Ray-Ban’s stylish design as smart glasses often have overdesign problems. The bulky and futuristic aesthetic often makes them stand out too much when worn in public.

The glasses are priced at US$299 (~RM1,253) and are only available in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and Italy.

OPPO Air Glass

OPPO Air Glass is a head-mounted smart glass that clips onto the frame of your glasses and projects an image into a waveguide at the corner of your vision. Revealed in OPPO’s Inno Day 2021, the ‘assisted reality’ device takes the same heads-up display approach as Google Glass.

The OPPO Air Glass attaches to your pre-existing frame instead of having frames like the other glasses. However, you won’t have to worry about having lop-sided frames since they only weigh 30g.

Powered by the Snapdragon Wear 4100, the device can display the weather, calendar, notifications, navigations and serve as a teleprompter. It can also provide real-time, two-way translation between Mandarin Chinese and English or Japanese by displaying the translation on the screen.

OPPO will launch the spectacles in Q1 2022 in China, but there’s currently no word on global releases. The glasses come in two variations, black and white colours, along with some additional frame accessories.

Smart Glasses Showdown: Who Wins in Your Book?

In retrospect, all three smart glasses have their advantages and flaws. So, it all comes down to your personal preference. While some may prefer the Air Glass’s attachable display, others may prefer Stories’ classic Ray-Ban aesthetic. So, what’s your favourite one out of the three?

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