Lenovo’s Smart Glasses Are Among the Lightest You Can Buy, but There’s a Catch

Meta’s lead in the smart glasses market is clear, but it hasn’t quite nailed the perfect design yet. Their Ray-Ban line integrates AI and computer vision through onboard cameras, pushing the tech side of things. But not everyone thinks cameras are necessary for smart glasses. Lenovo, known for its ThinkPad laptops, just launched its first smart glasses called the V1, which focus more on being lightweight and wearable than packing in every tech feature. Weighing only 38 grams, these glasses are significantly lighter than Meta’s Ray-Ban models, which tip the scales at 48 to 68 grams depending on the version. While a difference of 10 grams may sound minimal, it’s actually pretty important when you’re wearing something on your face all day. That said, Lenovo’s V1 smart glasses come with a notable compromise: they don’t have a camera. For users wanting to capture video hands-free during activities like biking or sports, or those interested in computer vision features like real-time object recognition and translation, this is a big downside. Meta’s AI glasses, for instance, offer such capabilities, but Lenovo seems to prioritize comfort and simplicity over these extras. This design decision might turn off some tech enthusiasts, but it could appeal to people who’d rather not have a camera constantly recording their surroundings due to privacy concerns. Lenovo isn’t the only player dropping cameras to keep weight and privacy in check. Other companies, like Even Realities, also opt out of including cameras in their smart glasses to appeal to users cautious about discreet recording. Instead, Lenovo emphasizes the display quality. The V1 features a monochrome micro LED screen capable of 2,000 nits brightness, which isn’t the brightest out there (Meta’s Ray-Ban Display can go up to 5,000 nits) but is still impressive. The display can be used with one eye or both, offering some flexibility. Despite lacking a camera, Lenovo hasn’t ignored AI completely. The V1 integrates its own voice assistant that supports real-time translation, voice commands, and queries, providing users with useful hands-free interaction. Plus, they offer a teleprompter mode, turning the glasses into a handy tool for presentations. The V1’s approach suggests that smart glasses might shift focus away from packed-in sensors and toward practical display and voice interaction features. Lenovo’s V1 glasses are now up for preorder at around $560, with an official release date set for November 9. But for now, the launch is aimed mainly at the Chinese market. Overall, Lenovo seems to be testing the waters on what features consumers really want in smart glasses. The tradeoff between weight, form factor, and functionality continues to be a balancing act for makers in this emerging space.