Alibaba’s smart glasses gained a new generation on October 13, 2026, with the release of the N1 Pro, which supports eye tracking and iris payments. The expansion brings its Qwen AI model further into wearable hardware, pairing assistant features with shopping and payments as Alibaba competes with Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses.
Key takeaways
- The N1 series starts at 2,999 yuan ($450) before discounts.
- The earlier S1 and G1 models share Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 platform.
- Qwen Glasses connect translation, Alipay payments and Taobao shopping.
- The N1 Pro adds eye tracking and iris-payment support.
According to Crypto Briefing, the eyewear began as Quark AI Glasses before the product line took the Qwen Glasses name, linking it to Alibaba’s flagship AI model. Its progression spans a Shanghai preview in July 2025, Chinese retail sales and an international debut.
Bloomberg reported that Alibaba presented the new Qwen Glasses N1 series at an event in Hangzhou on October 13, 2026. Prices begin at 2,999 yuan ($450) before discounts—a level the outlet described as no cheaper than Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, positioning the range around quality and features rather than price alone.
Alibaba’s smart glasses lineup spans S1, G1 and N1
The original launch range offered two choices: the premium S1, starting at 3,799 yuan, approximately $537, and the lighter, budget-focused G1, starting at 1,899 yuan, around $268. The S1 includes micro-OLED displays.
Both models use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 for on-device processing, with Qwen AI supplying the assistant intelligence.
Alibaba unveiled the Quark AI Glasses for the first time during the July 2025 World AI Conference held in Shanghai. Chinese retail sales began on November 27, 2025, before the line was later referred to as Qwen Glasses.
Translation, shopping and payments share one device
Qwen Glasses offer real-time translation, Alipay payments and Taobao shopping integration. The combination connects Alibaba’s AI assistant to its existing shopping platform and payment network.
The primary report identifies that ecosystem as Alibaba’s clearest competitive advantage: the glasses bring assistant functions and commercial services into the same frame. It also reports that the Qwen app had recorded more than 400 million downloads by late 2025, giving the model an established audience beyond eyewear.
Global debut and software updates precede N1
The Quark Glasses made their international debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March 2026. Multiple over-the-air software updates followed, delivering additional features directly to existing devices without requiring replacement hardware.
Alibaba introduced the N1 series in 2026. Its N1 Pro adds eye tracking and iris-payment support, with release on October 13, 2026, extending the range beyond the earlier S1 and G1 lineup.
Competition extends beyond the Chinese ecosystem
Alibaba’s smart glasses compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban devices, while Xiaomi also brings hardware experience and a domestic customer base. The primary report contrasts Alibaba’s shopping and payment connections with Meta’s social network and Ray-Ban branding.
Those commercial connections are less embedded in daily life for overseas buyers. The report argues that, without the same Taobao and Alipay ties, the glasses compete more directly on translation, assistant capabilities, other features and pricing.
Chinese government initiatives supporting the augmented reality sector have created favorable conditions for domestic producers. The report puts the average weight of domestic AI glasses at approximately 38 grams.
Article produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.