HTC VIVE Eagle review: AI smart glasses that fall short

Smart glasses are moving from science fiction into actual hardware releases, but the competition is stiff. The HTC VIVE Eagle has officially entered the market as a competitor to the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. HTC is betting on a specific privacy-focused pitch and an AI approach that is not locked into a single language model.

The device features a camera for first-person capture, open-ear audio, and voice control functionality. It weighs in at around 48 grams for the medium model, making it similar in physical profile to other smart glasses on the market. The device is built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform, with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

However, there are trade-offs for users considering a switch. The video capture resolution on the VIVE Eagle does not reach the 3K quality offered by its primary rival. Additionally, the device uses a magnetic cable for charging, whereas the competition provides a carrying case that serves as an external battery. This difference in design makes the VIVE Eagle feel more like a peripheral gadget rather than a daily-use accessory.

The price point sits between S$730 and S$880 in Singapore, depending on the lens option. While the build quality is solid and the software includes interesting features like local encrypted data storage for AI transcripts, the device struggles to match the lifestyle-friendly polish of the market leader.

Ultimately, the VIVE Eagle serves as a capable first attempt from HTC. It is a viable choice for users who prioritize privacy, local storage, and model-agnostic AI access. For everyone else looking for a refined everyday pair of smart glasses, the current market landscape favors the competition. HTC has established a foothold, but the next iteration will require significant design improvements to achieve mass-market appeal.