CES 2025 smart glasses were not one interchangeable product category: some showed information in the wearer’s view, some aimed to provide a wearable screen, and others focused on cameras, AI, or assistive audio. The available reporting supports specific detail about Halliday’s small projected display and XREAL One Pro’s portable-screen role, but does not verify the full eight-product lineup or its alleged ZDNET hands-on judgments.
Here is what the sourced evidence establishes—and what it does not—about what smart glasses at CES 2025 actually do.
What “smart glasses” meant at CES 2025
ABI Research’s February 2025 CES analysis describes a varied field of companies and approaches, including display presence and AI capability as important distinctions. In practical terms, products can be aimed at different jobs: showing a large virtual screen, presenting short prompts or translation, capturing images or supporting AI interaction, or assisting with hearing. A device’s label alone does not tell you which job it performs.
| Approach | What the wearer gets | Evidence in the sources reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Portable-screen or AR glasses | A virtual display for viewing content from another device | TechRadar describes XREAL One Pro as AR glasses that require other devices. |
| Small in-view display | Short information such as notifications, translation, or directions | TechCrunch reported Halliday’s projected DigiWindow and demonstrated functions. |
| Camera- or AI-focused eyewear | Potentially camera capture or assistant features; capabilities vary by model | The reviewed sources do not establish the capabilities of the purported eight-product lineup as a whole. |
| Assistive audio | Hearing support rather than a visual AR experience | ABI Research includes Nuance Audio in its account of CES 2025 smart-glasses products. |
This is a category comparison, not a verified head-to-head test. The original ZDNET article was inaccessible to the research desk, and the alleged eight-product lineup comes from a secondary search result rather than independent confirmation.
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#1 Best Overall
- 【8MP HD Camera & 4K Ultra HD】Experience authentic first-person perspectives with an upgraded 8MP ultra HD camera. 4K resolution delivers clear, detailed imagery, while multi-frame noise reduction and advanced anti-shake technology help enhance image clarity for travel, cycling, outdoor sports, family gatherings and everyday adventures.
- 【AI Voice Assistant & Intelligent Object Recognition】Powered by the advanced ChatGPT model, the AI assistant supports real-time Q&A, daily planning and intelligent recommendations. These smart glasses also feature AI object recognition, which can instantly identify landmarks, plants, animals and everyday items, making them an ideal smart companion for travel, shopping, learning and exploring the world.
- 【139 Languages Real-Time AI Translation】Break down language barriers effortlessly with AI translation across 139 languages. Ideal for international travel, business communication, academic exchanges and cross-border socializing, these smart glasses help make multilingual conversations more natural, convenient and efficient.
- 【Open-Ear Hi-Fi Audio & Dual-Mic ENC Noise Cancellation】Enjoy immersive premium sound while staying fully aware of your surroundings with our open-ear headphone design. These bluetooth smart glasses are built with advanced dual-microphone ENC noise reduction technology, which effectively suppresses wind and ambient noise, ensuring crystal-clear hands-free calls and stable music playback even in noisy outdoor, cycling and commuting scenarios.
- 【Photochromic Lenses, Suitable for Any Scenes】Designed for all-day comfortable wear, AI glasses feature an ultra-lightweight frame and integrated photochromic lenses. The lenses automatically darken in sunlight for UV protection and return to a clear state indoors. A built-in 290mAh battery delivers long-lasting power for full-day use, fitting perfectly with all scenes of daily life, work and outdoor adventures.
Halliday: a small projected display for glanceable information
At CES, TechCrunch reported that Halliday’s glasses projected a round display described as 3.5 inches into the wearer’s line of sight. The report described notifications, live language translation, notes, navigation directions, and audio readouts. The company advertised a proactive AI assistant, but the reporter said it was not ready to test during the demonstration.
Halliday’s approach is therefore different from glasses designed to act as a large virtual monitor. A small in-view image is intended for brief information, not a cinema-like screen or a full desktop workspace. The TechCrunch report also noted a positioning difficulty during one demonstrator’s brief try-on; that is one person’s experience, not proof of a general fit problem.
Rank #2
- #1 SELLING AI GLASSES - Tap into iconic style for men and women, and advanced technology with the newest generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart AI glasses. Capture photos and video recordings, listen to music, make hands-free calls or ask Meta AI questions on-the-go.
- UP TO 8 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE - On a full charge, these smart AI glasses can last 2x longer than previous generations, up to 8 hours with moderate use. Plus, each pair comes with a charging case that provides up to 48 hours of charging on-the-go.
- 3K ULTRA HD: RECORD SHARP VIDEOS WITH RICH DETAIL — Hands-free video recording with an ultra-wide 12 MP camera in up to 3K resolution. Record clips up to 3 minutes per session. Capture sharp, vibrant memories while staying in the moment.
- LISTEN WITH OPEN-EAR AUDIO — Listen to music and more with discreet open-ear speakers that deliver rich, quality audio without blocking out conversations or the ambient noises around you.
- ASK YOUR GLASSES ANYTHING WITH META AI — Get real-time suggestions, answers, object identification, and reminders hands-free. Requires Bluetooth connection to your smartphone and the Meta AI app. Ensure your phone has internet connectivity.
The report discussed prescription use and described a planned March 2025 shipping start and a $489 launch-era full price. Those are historical claims from the launch period, not confirmation of current availability or pricing. Check current product information before making a purchase decision.
XREAL One Pro: a screen that depends on another device
TechRadar’s 2025 product guide describes XREAL One Pro as AR smart glasses that require other devices. The guide lists 1920 × 1080 resolution per eye, 700 nits brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. These are guide figures, not a controlled comparison with every other product shown at CES.
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Rank #3
- 【AI Smart Translation Glasses】 - These smart glasses(No Camera) with built-in ChatGPT voice assistant, support real-time translation over 160 languages, simultaneous interpretation, meeting audio recording transcription. Helps you to suit any scenario and effortlessly break language barriers. Note: This model has no camera, all functions run via audio.
- 【Bluetooth Audio & Hands-Free Calling 】 - With Bluetooth 5.4 stable connection and open-ear design, our AI smart glasses features 3D surround sound music, delivering immersive audio directly to your ears. Built-in HD microphone ensures crystal-clear hands-free calls.
- 【Ultra-Lightweight Design with Gradient Lenses】 - Our smart glasses using medical-grade skin-friendly material, featured ergonomic design, 3D facial fitting, C-shaped wrap-around temples, and apple-arc nose pads that reduce pressure by 50% for all-day comfort up to 8 hours. The lenses will turn gray when exposed to sunlight, instantly transforming into stylish sunglasses, shielding eyes from harsh light and keeping us comfortable at all times.
- 【Extra-long Battery Life】 - AI bluetooth audio glasses equipped with 220mAh high-quality battery that takes only 1 hour to fully charge and can play continuously for up to 11 hours, solving battery anxiety. IP65 waterproof protection against sweat, rain, and dust, ideal for daily use and travel.
- 【Practical Flashlight & All-in-one Button】 - The integrated flashlight in AI glasses provides hands-free illumination, supports long-time walking and reading in dark. While the all-in-one button enables seamless control of power/flashlight/answering/hanging up/playing/pausing and wake-up the voice assistant —all with intuitive presses.
The practical point is the dependency: these glasses are not a self-contained screen for content. Buyers should confirm which source devices and connections work for their intended use, and check current manufacturer or retailer specifications and pricing. TechRadar’s guide lists $649 / £579, but those guide prices may not reflect current prices.
How to compare smart glasses
- Start with the task. Decide whether you want a private screen, glanceable information, camera or AI features, or hearing assistance. Do not compare devices as if they all perform the same job.
- Check the display approach. Find out whether the product has no display, a small projected image, or a larger virtual screen. A 3.5-inch projected display and a portable AR screen serve different needs.
- Check what it connects to. Some glasses need a phone or another device for content or services. XREAL One Pro, for example, is described by TechRadar as requiring other devices.
- Check fit and prescription options. Confirm whether your prescription is supported and how the optical system is positioned. A brief trade-show demonstration cannot establish comfort for every face or prescription.
- Separate demonstrated features from advertised ones. Halliday’s proactive assistant was advertised but not ready for the cited CES reporter to test. Treat planned features and company claims differently from functions a reporter actually tried.
- Verify maturity and availability. A show-floor demonstration, planned shipping date, and product currently available to order are different things. Confirm current stock, supported regions, and price directly before buying.
What the CES reporting can—and cannot—tell you
The evidence supports a broad takeaway: CES 2025 brought together different approaches to eyewear, and the right comparison depends on the wearer’s task. ABI Research provides category context; TechCrunch supplies a hands-on account of Halliday’s demonstration; and TechRadar provides guide specifications for XREAL One Pro.
Rank #4
- 【AI Real-Time Translation & ChatGPT Assistant】AI glasses break language barriers instantly with AI real-time translation. The built-in ChatGPT voice assistant helps you communicate, learn, and handle travel or business conversations smoothly—ideal for conferences, overseas trips, and daily use.
- 【4K Ultra HD】 Smart glasses feature 4K resolution for clear, detailed visuals, making them suitable for travel, outdoor activities, everyday moments, and daily use.
- 【Bluetooth Music & Hands-Free Calls 】Smart glasses provide Bluetooth music and crystal-clear hands-free calls with an open-ear design. Stay aware of your surroundings while listening—comfortable for long wear and safer for commuting, cycling, and outdoor use.
- 【IP65 Waterproof & Long Battery Life】 AI glasses are designed for daily wear with IP65 waterproof protection against sweat, rain, and dust. The built-in 290mAh battery provides reliable performance for workdays and travel—no anxiety when you’re on the go.
- 【Smart App Control & Object Recognition】Smart glasses connect to the companion app for easy setup, file management, and feature control. They support AI object recognition to help identify items and improve your daily efficiency—perfect for travel exploration and a smart lifestyle.
It does not support treating the purported eight products as a verified ZDNET ranking or claiming that they were all tested under the same conditions. The original ZDNET article could not be checked, and the secondary source for the eight names is unverified. Nor do the reviewed sources establish a controlled comparison of battery life, comfort, display quality, privacy, or long-term reliability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Which smart glasses have a display?
The sources reviewed describe a projected display in Halliday glasses and AR display capability in XREAL One Pro. Other smart glasses may use different approaches, but the available dossier does not verify detailed specifications for every product in the purported eight-item list.
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- 【4K Camera with EIS Stabilization】Smart glasses with camera feature a built-in 4K camera with EIS stabilization for clearer and steadier image performance during sports, cycling, travel, outdoor activities, and everyday use.
- 【Open-Ear Speakers & Clear Bluetooth Calling】Camera glasses feature built-in open-ear speakers for music and clear Bluetooth calls while helping you stay aware of your surroundings. Noise-reduction microphones provide clearer voice pickup and a comfortable listening experience for everyday use.
- 【AI Real-Time Translation & Voice Assistant】AI glasses support real-time translation in 139+ languages to make communication easier across different languages. The built-in AI voice assistant helps you access information and interact more efficiently—ideal for work, study, travel, and daily use.
- 【Photochromic Lenses & Lightweight Comfort】Smart sunglasses with camera feature photochromic lenses that respond to changing sunlight conditions for comfortable indoor and outdoor use while helping reduce UV exposure. The lightweight 35g frame provides a comfortable fit for extended everyday wear.
- 【IP66 Water Resistance & 290mAh Battery】AI sunglasses with camera feature IP66 water resistance for added protection against sweat, rain, and dust during active daily use. The built-in 290mAh battery provides convenient power for travel, outdoor activities, work, and everyday use.
Can smart glasses translate a conversation?
TechCrunch reported that Halliday demonstrated live language translation at CES. That report does not establish accuracy or suitability for medical, legal, or other high-stakes conversations.
Do AR glasses work as a portable screen?
They can provide a virtual screen, but the glasses may depend on a connected phone or another source device. TechRadar says XREAL One Pro requires other devices, so check compatibility with your intended source before buying.
Were these confirmed as ZDNET’s eight tested products?
No. The research desk could not access the original ZDNET article. The eight-name lineup surfaced in a secondary search result and has not been independently confirmed, so it should not be presented as verified ZDNET testing.
Is Halliday’s $489 price current?
The cited $489 figure was reported as a launch-era full price in January 2025. It is not evidence of today’s price or availability; check current product information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
