China’s Alibaba brings removable batteries to the smart glasses race | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.China’s Alibaba brings removable batteries to the smart glasses raceComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AIGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsChina’s Alibaba brings removable batteries to the smart glasses raceThe Quark AI S1 model claims 24 hours with its ‘swappable dual-battery system.’The Quark AI S1 model claims 24 hours with its ‘swappable dual-battery system.’by Robert HartCloseRobert HartAI ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Robert HartNov 27, 2025, 1:07 PM UTCLinkShareImage: AlibabaRobert HartCloseRobert HartPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Robert Hart is a London-based reporter at The Verge covering all things AI and Senior Tarbell Fellow. Previously, he wrote about health, science and tech for Forbes.Chinese tech giant Alibaba entered the AI-powered smart glasses race on Thursday with the release of its Quark headsets in China. Notably, the batteries can be swapped out for all day usage unlike competitors.Alibaba said the Quark AI glasses come in two variants, the S1 flagship and the “lifestyle-focused” G1, in multiple colors and lens types. Prices start at 3,799 yuan ($537) and 1,899 yuan ($268), respectively. The main difference are the lenses, Alibaba said, with the S1 using clear micro-OLED displays.Both have bone conduction microphones, built-in cameras, and a “swappable dual-battery system” that “delivers up to 24 hours of battery life.” They’re powered by Alibaba’s AI model Qwen and a linked app, meaning they can be controlled via voice or touch.Alibaba said the glasses will be integrated with its apps like Alipay and Taobao, as well as music streaming platforms like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music. They’ll be able to provide services like on-the-go translation, instant price recognition, navigation support, and meeting transcription.International models will be available next year, according to Bloomberg, but those markets haven’t been identified.The glasses mark an effort to crack the market for AI-powered wearables tech companies bet could be the next big consumer gadget. Meta, with its Ray-Ban glasses, is the clear leader, but others like Apple, and whatever Sam Altman is developing with Jony Ive, are rushing to catch up.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Robert HartCloseRobert HartAI ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Robert HartAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AIGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsWearableCloseWearablePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All WearableMost PopularMost PopularWyze’s new security camera watches your yard from inside your homeYou can play classic Nintendo games on these custom SNES-inspired Nike sneakersI’m officially done with YouTube KidsYou’re buying a Frame TV? 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Alibaba has entered the competitive field of AI-powered smart glasses with the launch of the Quark series in China, presenting a notable differentiator through its “swappable dual-battery system.” The Quark glasses, available in two models – the S1 flagship and the lifestyle-focused G1 – are priced starting at 3,799 yuan ($537) and 1,899 yuan ($268), respectively. A key feature differentiating the glasses is the ability to swap out the batteries, enabling users to achieve up to 24 hours of battery life. This contrasts with many competing smart glasses models that rely on a single, non-removable battery.

The glasses’ functionality is powered by Alibaba’s Qwen AI model and a corresponding mobile application, offering control via voice or touch interfaces. Beyond the battery swapping capability, the Quark glasses boast integration with various Alibaba ecosystem applications, including payment platform Alipay and Taobao, alongside music streaming services like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music. The glasses are designed to provide on-the-go translation services, instant price recognition, navigational support, and meeting transcription capabilities.

Currently, the glasses are intended for the Chinese market, though Bloomberg reports plans for international releases next year, although specific target markets remain undisclosed. This launch comes as a broader trend of technology companies investing in wearable AI devices. Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses currently hold a leading position in the market, however, companies like Apple, and the developments being spearheaded by Sam Altman and Jony Ive, represent significant competition. The Quark series’ emphasis on battery swapping demonstrates a strategy to address a common user concern – limited battery life – in the smart glasses category, potentially offering a significant advantage in longer-term usability.