Vivo pauses development of its AI smart glasses amid doubts over product prospects

Vivo has reportedly put the brakes on its in-house AI smart glasses project, which had been in development for several months. While the company hasn’t made any official statements, multiple insiders say the decision came after an internal review highlighted concerns about the product’s direction and long-term viability.

Sources familiar with the matter reveal that Vivo explored various smart glasses concepts-ranging from audio-focused models to versions with simple monochrome displays. The company also partnered with several ODMs and created a handful of early prototypes. Still, after months of research and prototyping, Vivo’s leadership concluded that the product currently lacks clear, compelling differentiation in the market.

One major challenge is the limited room for innovation within the existing supply chain. Most AI smart glasses use similar core components-standardized chipsets and cameras-which makes it tough for brands to stand out in areas like performance, power efficiency, or imaging quality. Display-based models continue to wrestle with trade-offs involving brightness, field of view, battery life, heat management, and cost.

That said, industry observers stress that Vivo’s move doesn’t signal abandoning wearables or next-gen computing devices entirely. The company is expected to shift its focus toward mixed reality products, where it already has some solid groundwork. Previously, Vivo unveiled the MR headset Vivo Vision Discovery Edition, positioning it as a complement to smartphones and PCs rather than a fully standalone platform.

The AI smart glasses market remains in a transitional phase. Despite strong interest and eye-catching demos at major tech events, widespread everyday use is still limited. Typical use cases revolve around translation, photo and video capture, or voice control-but none have yet proven compelling enough to drive consistent, daily wear.

Vivo’s cautious stance mirrors a wider industry dilemma. Until genuinely valuable use cases emerge and key technologies mature, AI smart glasses are likely to stay in the experimental category rather than becoming mainstream products.