Rokid’s AI glasses have surpassed $1 million in pre-orders within 72 hours of launching a Kickstarter campaign, far exceeding their initial $20,000 goal. Positioned as a strong competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, Rokid offers enhanced features that appeal to tech enthusiasts.
The glasses combine core functions found in Meta Ray-Bans—such as photography, earbuds-style audio, and AI assistants—with a heads-up display similar to AR devices like the Even Realities G1 and Brilliant Labs Halo.
Key improvements over Meta Ray-Bans include:
- Support for 89 languages versus 4
- Ability to shoot photos in both horizontal and vertical orientations
- A larger 210 mAh battery compared to Meta’s 154 mAh
- Native ChatGPT integration, unlike Meta’s Llama AI model
- Audio memo feature for notes and reminders
- Magnetized pop-in lenses rather than traditional ones
Despite packing more technology, the Rokid Glasses weigh 49 grams, similar to Meta Ray-Bans, and share a comparable size and Wayfarer style.
Priced at $599 retail, Rokid currently offers early backers a 20% discount ($479) on Kickstarter. Shipment is planned for November 2025. Rokid, a Chinese company with a Silicon Valley presence, has been developing smart glasses and AR devices since 2014 and demonstrated these glasses at CES 2025.
Rokid US General Manager Liang Guan stated the company received over 300,000 global orders, with most coming from partners and retailers rather than the US Kickstarter campaign. Product versions vary by region, with the Chinese model featuring wireless payments and the US/global models offering turn-by-turn navigation.
Industry observers acknowledge Rokid’s glasses as a notable alternative to Meta’s offerings, providing advanced features at competitive size and price points.
Meta is expected to announce its next-generation smart glasses, including the advanced Hypernova model and upgraded Ray-Ban 3.0, at the Meta Connect event on September 17. The Hypernova glasses will feature one small color display, a neural wristband for gesture control, and an $800 price tag.
Rokid’s glasses are positioned between Meta’s audio-only Ray-Bans and the upcoming Hypernova in terms of capability, though they lack Meta’s brand recognition and retail reach. Still, they are gaining traction among early adopters prioritizing advanced functionality.