Alibaba has entered the consumer AI hardware race with the commercial launch of its Quark AI Glasses, a new wearable designed to compete directly with Meta and other global tech players. The glasses, which first debuted earlier this year, are now on sale in China in two versions: the S1, priced at 3,799 yuan (about $536), and the G1, priced at 1,899 yuan (about $265).
The release underscores Alibaba’s broader shift toward consumer AI products at a time when tech companies are racing to define what comes after the smartphone. The company has integrated its Qwen AI models – its in-house alternative to ChatGPT – into the glasses, along with support for the newly launched Qwen app, giving users hands-free access to AI tools through voice commands.
Features, Pricing, and Alibaba’s Consumer AI Strategy
Alibaba said the lenses of the Quark glasses act as displays capable of overlaying information directly in the user’s field of view. Both models include a camera integrated into the frame, but the S1 features a more advanced display system compared with the G1.
The device supports real-time translation, AI-generated meeting summaries, visual product recognition, and interactive virtual assistant capabilities. Users can photograph items via the built-in camera and instantly receive pricing information from Taobao, Alibaba’s leading e-commerce platform.
The launch positions Alibaba directly against global competitors such as Meta, which recently introduced its $799 Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, and domestic rivals including Xiaomi and Xreal. Analysts view smart glasses as one of the most promising next-generation interfaces, with global shipments of AI-enabled glasses expected to exceed 10 million units by 2026, more than double 2025 levels.
For Alibaba, Quark is the latest extension of a renewed consumer AI ecosystem built around the Qwen model family. The company has already seen strong early traction for its AI software: the Qwen app reached 10 million downloads in its first week of public beta. Meanwhile, Alibaba Cloud – where the company books most of its AI-related revenue – reported an acceleration in growth last quarter.
Competitive Landscape and Market Outlook
The global smart-glasses market remains small but is expanding rapidly as companies experiment with mixed-reality displays, wearable AI assistants, and real-time computing interfaces. Alibaba enters the segment with strong AI capabilities but faces intense competition, especially from Meta, Google, and Apple’s broader ecosystem influence.
Still, Alibaba’s first-mover position in China gives it a strategic advantage in the world’s largest consumer electronics market. Analysts say the company’s ability to link AI hardware with its enormous commerce and cloud platforms could create a uniquely integrated experience for users and developers.
The Quark AI Glasses go on sale first in China, with no announced timeline for international availability. If demand proves strong domestically, a global rollout would represent Alibaba’s most significant hardware expansion since the launch of its smart-speaker line several years ago.
