Rokid AI Glasses Challenge Meta With Million Dollar Launch
The market for smart glasses is heating up, and a powerful new contender has just made a dramatic entrance. While many are familiar with the popular Meta Ray-Bans, the new Rokid Glasses are proving to be a formidable competitor, signaling a new chapter in wearable AI technology.
Kickstarter Success Signals Strong Demand
Demonstrating incredible market interest, Rokid launched a Kickstarter campaign with a modest goal of $20,000. In less than 72 hours, the company soared past that target, raising over $1 million in pre-orders. This overwhelming success highlights a clear demand for more advanced alternatives in the smart glasses space.
Rokid vs Meta Ray-Bans A Feature Showdown
The Rokid Glasses build upon the core functionalities of the Meta Ray-Bans—such as convenient photography, integrated audio, and an AI assistant—but elevate the experience with significant upgrades. The most notable addition is a heads-up display, a feature typically found in more advanced AR glasses like the Even Realities G1 and Brilliant Labs Halo.
Beyond the display, Rokid offers several other advantages:
- Expanded Language Support: Compatibility with 89 languages, compared to Meta's 4.
- Versatile Photography: The ability to shoot photos in both horizontal and vertical modes.
- Longer Battery Life: A 210 mAh battery, outlasting Meta's 154 mAh.
- Integrated ChatGPT: Native support for ChatGPT, differing from Meta's Llama AI model.
- Unique Features: An Audio Memo function for notes and magnetized pop-in lenses for convenience.
Despite packing in this advanced technology, the Rokid Glasses maintain a weight of 49g, identical to the Meta Ray-Bans, and share a similar design to the classic Wayfarer style.
Pricing and Market Positioning
The Rokid Glasses are set to retail for $599. However, early backers on Kickstarter could secure a 20% discount, bringing the price down to $479. This positions them between the current Meta Ray-Bans ($299-$379) and the higher-end Even Realities G1 ($599). Rokid has announced that the final product will begin shipping in November 2025.
An Established Player Not a Startup
While the Kickstarter campaign might suggest a new startup, Rokid is a well-established Chinese company with a Silicon Valley presence that has been developing smart devices since 2014. The company has a history of producing more robust AR glasses like the Rokid Max 2 and has partnered with over 200 museums in China.
Liang Guan, Rokid's US General Manager, confirmed that the company has already received global orders for over 300,000 units, indicating that the Kickstarter is primarily a marketing initiative for the US market. The glasses will also feature market-specific functionalities, such as turn-by-turn navigation for US users and wireless payments for the Chinese market.
The Evolving Smart Glasses Landscape
The smart glasses market is on the cusp of significant expansion. Meta is expected to unveil its next-generation products at its Meta Connect event on September 17. This includes the highly anticipated "Hypernova" glasses, which will reportedly feature a small color screen and a neural wristband for gesture control. Additionally, an upgraded version of the audio-only Meta Ray-Bans is expected to launch, aiming for mass-market appeal.
The Rokid Glasses are strategically positioned between these two upcoming Meta products. While they may not have the brand recognition of Ray-Ban, their advanced feature set makes them a highly attractive option for tech early adopters who prioritize functionality and innovation.
