Can Xiaomi's AI Glasses, Priced from 1,699 Yuan, Disrupt the Smart Glasses 

Insiders reveal that Xiaomi's AI glasses may debut in April, ahead of schedule, with a starting price of 1,699 yuan. This move could shake up the smart glasses market.

Release and Pricing: Aggressive Strategy

Xiaomi's AI glasses were initially slated for a Q2 2025 release but could debut earlier at the April Mi Fans Festival. This aligns with Xiaomi's strategy of launching popular products during the festival, much like the 899 - yuan smart audio glasses in 2023.

Pricing is a key focus:

• Base Model (1,699 yuan): Focuses on essential AI interaction without a camera, offering features like voice assistance and real - time translation.

• Advanced Model (1,999 yuan): Boasts a 2.5K display, electrochromic lenses, and dual chips (Qualcomm AR1 + BES2700), supporting AR navigation and multimodal recognition.

Compared to Meta Ray-Ban (around 2,500 yuan), Xiaomi's pricing follows its tradition of offering high - value products, potentially accelerating market adoption.

Product Highlights: Upgrades in Hardware and Experience

Dual - Chip Architecture

The Xiaomi AI glasses use a Qualcomm AR1 chip for primary processing and a BES2700 chip for audio optimization, balancing performance and battery life. The BES2700, commonly used in TWS earbuds, reduces power consumption and enhances voice interaction.

Electrochromic Lenses

These lenses can change color with a touch, adapting to different light conditions. The coloring matches Xiaomi's SU7 Ultra car, appealing to fashion - conscious consumers, especially the youth.

Lightweight and Comfortable Design

The base model weighs under 50 grams with a magnetic charging design. The advanced model, despite added features, remains comfortable due to a modular structure. This makes it lighter and more comfortable than Meta Ray-Ban's 65 grams.

AI - Driven Scenarios

Core functions include real - time translation, AR navigation, and smart home control. Users can link the glasses to Mi Home devices via voice commands or get environmental info through the camera, aiding those with visual impairments.

Market Impact: Potential for Industry Shake - Up

Supply Chain Impact

Xiaomi collaborates with Goer, Meta Ray-Ban's manufacturer, ensuring quality and production capacity. However, the tight supply of Qualcomm AR1 chips may disadvantage smaller firms, increasing industry concentration.

Channel Advantages

Xiaomi's 20,000 offline stores, including Mi Homes and partner optical shops, help overcome the high experience threshold for smart glasses. Traditional eyewear giants like Boshi and宝岛 are also on board, boosting product penetration.

Increased Competitive Pressure

OPPO, vivo, Huawei, and others are entering the AI glasses market, but Xiaomi's first - mover advantage and ecosystem synergy might replicate the "market - reshuffling effect" seen in smart speakers. Xiaomi's mature MIUI system could be a key differentiator against competitors with less refined software.

Challenges and Outlook: Software Ecosystem is Key

Despite impressive hardware, Xiaomi faces two main challenges:

1. Software Experience: Xiaomi needs to refine its self - developed MiLM large model to enhance algorithm tuning and privacy protection, learning from Meta Ray-Ban's "software - defined hardware" success.

2. User Habit Cultivation: The glasses must balance practicality and fashion. Xiaomi should avoid the pitfall of early AR glasses that focused on technology over real - world applications.

Analysts predict that if Xiaomi's AI glasses sell over 300,000 units initially (its internal target), global AI glasses sales could surpass 5 million in 2025, accelerating technological accessibility, especially for China's 17 million visually impaired.

In conclusion, Xiaomi's AI glasses launch is a milestone in smart wearables, potentially kicking off the "Internet of Vision" era. As tech giants and supply chains clash in this market, the real winners will be consumers who stand to gain from this technological advancement. The battle starts at April's Mi Fans Festival, and all eyes are on the outcome.