Tech giant Google showcased the prototype of its latest smart glasses Android XR at the 2025 Google I/O conference this week, attracting widespread attention from the industry.
Although these glasses are not yet officially on sale, several foreign media outlets and tech bloggers have already tried them out and shared initial reviews. Yesterday (21st), Phil Berne, a renowned editor in the consumer electronics field, published a detailed review. The following article will introduce the configuration, functional highlights, shortcomings, and comparison with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses based on Phil Berne's evaluation.
Google XR Glasses with Three Key Functional Highlights
Phil Berne personally tried the Google XR glasses prototype at the Google I/O 2025 conference. He noted that the glasses are equipped with a single display, with the display range not covering the entire lens, but instead projecting a small frame in the front of the field of view, which remains completely invisible unless content is displayed. Berne pointed out that the glasses are designed to be compact, containing displays and related technologies while maintaining a relatively fashionable appearance.
During a brief trial, Phil Berne experienced three core functions of the Google XR glasses, demonstrating its potential technological prowess:
- Gemini AI Contextual Interaction: The glasses are equipped with Google's Gemini AI, capable of observing the environment and providing real-time information. During testing, Berne approached a pointillist painting, and Gemini immediately described the artwork and artist, offering viewing suggestions based on his request. The conversation was natural and fluid, with the voice model sounding human-like, and it automatically paused when others were talking to Berne, responding quickly without delay.
- Google Maps Spatial Navigation: Unlike traditional maps, the Google XR glasses' navigation function is presented spatially. Berne saw a simple arrow indicating a right turn half a mile ahead. When he looked down, a circular map appeared in his field of view, showing his current location and direction. The map smoothly adjusted with head movement, and when looking up, it transformed into a simple arrow indication, providing an intuitive and natural experience.
- Photography and Transparent Preview: With a built-in camera, Berne could take photos and preview them on the display at 80% transparency, allowing him to clearly see details while not completely obstructing his view, offering a balanced visual experience.
Shortcomings of Google XR Glasses
Despite the impressive features, Phil Berne also pointed out the current limitations of the Google XR glasses:
- Limited Functionality: The prototype only demonstrated three functions, with an incomplete app and feature ecosystem, not significantly different from the 2014 Google Glass.
- Small Display Range: The single display's field of view is limited, unable to cover the entire lens, restricting immersion.
- Immature Software and Hardware: AR hardware is not yet fully prepared, lacking sufficient app support, and the developer ecosystem needs time to establish.
Comparison between Google XR Glasses and Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
In his review, Phil Berne also compared the Google XR glasses with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, highlighting their differences:
- Display Functionality: Google XR glasses are equipped with a small display that can directly present information (such as maps, photo previews), while Meta Ray-Ban glasses lack a display and must send images to a phone, limiting real-time interactivity.
- AI Response Speed: Google's Gemini AI responds quickly and naturally, far surpassing the AI agent of Meta glasses.
- Platform Openness: Android XR is positioned as an open platform supporting app running, with greater future potential; Meta glasses are controlled by a single app, primarily focusing on camera and microphone data collection, with more closed functionality.
- User Experience: Berne stated that Meta Ray-Ban glasses' voice recognition wake-up is unreliable, and the open-ear headphones perform poorly in noisy environments (like New York City streets). He has not used its smart features for months, only wearing them as regular sunglasses.
Promising Future for Smart Glasses
Overall, Phil Berne's evaluation of Google XR glasses was quite positive. He not only believes these glasses are superior to Meta Ray-Ban glasses but also sees the future of smart glasses in this prototype:
This is just the beginning, but it's a good beginning. Other smart glasses haven't even reached the starting line, let alone been put on sale. Eventually, displays will become larger, and software will be more abundant. The current functions feel very limited.
XR glasses are not yet the future, but through them, I indeed see the possibilities of the future, which my Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses cannot compare to at all. While I'm not saying I saw the future in Google's smart glasses prototype, I now have a clearer understanding of my expectations for smart glasses in the future.
