Tecno has just entered the AI-powered smart glasses market, providing further evidence that there’s a demand for this kind of wearable tech.
At MWC 2025 in Barcelona, the company unveiled its AI Glasses and AI Glasses Pro. And if Tecno can make this happen, there’s absolutely space for Apple to bring its own version to the table, despite rumours that the project has been cancelled.
Tecno’s AI glasses land at a time when Apple’s Vision Pro has failed to become the revolutionary product it was meant to be. While Apple’s headset boasts cutting-edge displays and spatial computing features, it’s hindered by a high price tag, limited battery life, and a bulky design.
Additionally, the external battery pack, tethered to the headset via a cable, is an awkward solution, and the device itself feels more like an expensive experiment than a practical daily accessory.
Beyond that, Apple’s headset isolates users, making it better suited for watching movies than for everyday productivity. Managing apps in visionOS also feels clunky compared to the glance-based interface that smart glasses could offer.
Thiago Trevisan/Foundry
This is where Apple could take a cue from Tecno and others. Smart glasses have the potential to be truly useful, offering real-time navigation, notifications, translations, and seamless AI interactions. Unlike the Vision Pro, which demands total immersion, lightweight smart glasses could blend into daily life without drawing unwanted attention.
Even if Apple’s AR glasses are off the table for now, the demand for AI-powered smart eyewear isn’t going anywhere. Tecno’s new releases, along with other upcoming competitors, prove that there’s a strong market for practical, lightweight smart glasses that integrate AI seamlessly.
Halliday / Kickstarter
For now, Apple seems focused on refining the Vision Pro, but that headset will never be a true everyday wearable. If the company wants to make a real impact in the AR space, it will eventually need to revisit the idea of smart glasses.
Meanwhile, that’s not all Tecno has shown at this year’s MWC event in Barcelona, as its Galaxy S25 Edge rival takes thin phones to the next level.
