The future of “face-to-the-world” computing is increasingly played out through glasses. After Meta’s push with its Ray-Ban and the constant buzz around Apple’s plans, ByteDance—the parent company of TikTok and owner of Pico—has sped up the development of AI-powered glasses prototypes aimed at the mass market. According to sources from the Asian ecosystem, they have new models in testing and are measuring timing: they aim to launch a mature offering when the market is ready, and believe the category’s mass awakening will come when Apple calibrates its entry.
This effort isn’t isolated. In just a year, “AI glasses” have shifted from niche experiments to an immediate commercial frontier: cameras and microphones always ready, assistants capable of seeing and describing the environment, real-time translation, capturing moments without pulling out your phone, and responses via voice or overlaid subtitles superimposed. Meta has raised the stakes with new models—including an AR display integrated Wayfarer—and even a sporty line with Oakley; media coverage is helping the buzz.
In that landscape, ByteDance is making strategic moves, following a recognizable pattern: iterating hardware while building software and chip partnerships (Qualcomm in VR), and most importantly, waiting for the right moment. Industry sources describe prototypes in various directions—from lightweight “Ray-Ban style” glasses with conversational AI to mixed Reality models resembling XR glasses—but with no rush to beat the calendar: their goal isn’t being first, but arriving when adoption curves are rising.
Why AI glasses are the next “battlefield”
Ten years ago, the clock beat skepticism: today, the smartwatch is an extension of the phone. Glasses are vying to be the next step in personal computing for three main reasons:
- Proximity to senses: eyes and ears are the natural interface. If the device sees what we see and hears what we hear, AI can better contextualize: from identifying what building we’re looking at to translating a conversation on the fly.
- Hands and pocket free: the camera, microphone, and assistant are ready to go without pulling out the phone. For many users, this friction separates recording from missing the moment.
- Design and privacy: they only work if they look like glasses—not gadgets—and if data capture is transparent and controllable. The category won’t survive a repeat of “Glassholes” controversies.
The competitive landscape is heated: Meta has introduced a generation with AR display and a sporty line with Oakley; Apple is hinting at lightweight glasses around 2026-2027; simultaneously, optical manufacturers see new volume if design integrates into their supply chain. ByteDance positions itself between these poles: learning from Meta’s “pull” and riding the wave of anticipation when Apple validates the category for mainstream audiences.
What ByteDance is preparing: two parallel paths with the same goal
1) “Everyday” AI glasses
The first focus, according to reports, aims for decent photo/video capture without draining the battery, conversational assistant (voice commands, quick queries, visual descriptions), subtitles, and translation. No holograms: immediate usefulness with a consumer-friendly style. The challenge is balancing autonomy, sensors, and heat in a design people want to wear.
2) Lightweight XR glasses
The second line targets mixed/AR with goggle-style glasses that are lightweight, similar in size to Bigscreen Beyond, with a puck (external module) for offloading some processing—an architecture also explored by Meta for future models. They are more immersive, but less “street-ready”: suited for creators, gaming, and video consumption. The Pico brand (VR) is an natural fit.
In both cases, the TikTok factor is obvious: if these glasses record and upload content using viral templates, filters, and AI-assisted editing, ByteDance could close the loop: device + social platform + distribuition algorithm.
The “Apple window”: is it a brake or an accelerator?
Reports place the debut of lightweight Apple glasses—without full AR, more akin to “smart glasses”—around late 2026 or 2027. Insiders from the supply chain (Mark Gurman, Ming-Chi Kuo) and forums echo: Apple is moving forward, but not rushing. If history repeats (Apple Watch), Cupertino’s entry will elevate the category and push everyone to define their niche. ByteDance knows this well and, as suggested, aims to arrive with mature hardware and refined services when the conversation is at its peak.
The reliance on the “Apple moment” has a dual interpretation: advantage (capitalize on the attention wave) and risk (become invisible if late or missing a killer feature). That’s why ByteDance is focused on prototypes and testing now, and orchestrating a go-to-market strategy that includes:
- Creators (shape the narrative),
- Optical retail (sale and fitting),
- Operators (connectivity and financing), and
- Fashion brands (desirability).
Lessons from the neighbor: what the latest Meta rollout tells us
Meta shared two notable updates in September:
- Ray-Ban with AR display (HUD on the right lens, translation, messaging, navigation, voice AI), in classic Wayfarer style, priced at an “aspirational” level;
- Oakley Vanguard without display, combining AI + fitness with a central camera and synergies with Garmin/Strava.
The message is clear: one line isn’t enough. Use cases must be segmented (style/daily vs. sport) and real value delivered today—no promises of “full AR” tomorrow. For ByteDance, this means prioritizing: useful AI + capture + battery life + design. Holograms and complex graphics can wait.
What’s under the hood: chips, cameras, battery, and privacy
Chips: The ideal mix combines NPU/AI on-device (object detection, transcription, translation) with cloud assistance for complex queries. The maturity of low-power SoCs will be key: sustained performance without heating or draining the battery in 90 minutes.
Cameras and microphones: capturing “for social media” demands stabilization, good exposure, and clean audio. ByteDance can’t sell glasses that record worse than a phone; their promise, per leaks, is decent quality without sacrificing autonomy.
Battery and weight: everything fits… if it weighs less than it annoys. The XR line with external puck makes sense here: dissipating heat and power consumption at a pocket module. For everyday models, engineering focuses on compact modules and aggressive low-power modes.
Privacy: The big elephant in the room—especially for ByteDance—is visible recording indicators, “no record zones” (in apps and locations), granular controls over uploads and destinations, and regulatory compliance in sensitive markets. Without a strong narrative on security and control, adoption will stall.
What differentiates a prototype from a success?
1) Everyday use cases that recur
- Translate and subtitle a meeting.
- Describe what we see (signs, menus, signals) with context.
- Record and edit vertically hands-free, ready for posting.
- Remember: “Where did I park?”, “What was the listed price?”, “Read this document for me”.
2) Design that doesn’t ask for permission
If they look “normal glasses,” about 80% of the way there. If they ask for explanations, conversion drops dramatically.
3) Ecosystem
Apps and services that keep users engaged during activation and pairing. Here, ByteDance has advantage: a platform (TikTok) that can give meaning to capture.
4) Price and availability
The mass market won’t pay a “tax” for promises. Meta has set a benchmark ($499–$799 depending on model); ByteDance will need to align or justify a premium with value.
Where does Apple fit into this story?
If Apple releases lightweight glasses that truly work in 2026-2027—albeit without full AR—the category will accelerate:
- Normalize social use (“if Apple does it, it’s acceptable”).
- Force discussions around privacy and usage frameworks.
- Push optical stores and operators to standardize sales and financing.
For ByteDance, this scenario is both opportunity and challenge: arriving with a well-rounded product (and TikTok integrated) could ride the wave; having only a demo will leave it as a late follower. Industry sources in Asia report ready prototypes and a roadmap that looks towards Cupertino with cautious eye.
What about the market? Signs of demand… and real limits
Interest exists: Meta’s partial sell-outs and social buzz reveal active curiosity. But shipments lag headlines due to two structural limits:
- Hardware (battery, weight, heat, optics);
- Software (still immature ecosystems and use cases to refine).
The DigiTimes Asia note sums it up: steady demand, shipments below expectations. The manufacturer that bridges this gap with reliability, design, and useful AI—without pretense—will dominate the category. That’s ByteDance’s play.
What to watch in the next 12 months
- Certifications leaks (Bluetooth, telecom) indicating near-commercial versions.
- Partnerships with optical stores and stylists (design + prescription).
- SDKs for creators (filters, templates, editing) and third-party (contextual apps).
- Privacy testing (visible LEDs, lock modes, geofencing).
- Regulatory reactions in the US and Europe: ByteDance cannot escape scrutiny.
Summary: ByteDance plans carefully, not improvises
The company that transformed vertical video appears intent not to improvise with the next format. It prototypes in two streams—street AI glasses and light XR—and watches how Meta heats the market. Meanwhile, it polishes what mass adoption will demand: useful AI, camera quality, battery endurance, design appeal, and privacy assurances. Add to that its social platform and creator muscle, and ByteDance could become a leading player in the first major “wearable” with AI that’s not wrist-bound. The smartwatch proved it’s possible; glasses are about to prove what for.
Sources
- DigiTimes Asia — “Exclusive: ByteDance readies new AI glasses prototypes and waiting for Apple to heat up trend.” (Sep 22, 2025).
- Android Central — “ByteDance reportedly working on a pair of AI smart glasses.” (Apr 11, 2025).
- Android Authority — “TikTok parent ByteDance reportedly developing its own XR glasses.” (Jul 14, 2025).
- The Information — “ByteDance Is Developing AI Smart Glasses.” (Apr 11, 2025).
- AppleInsider — “Apple Glass without AR still expected in late 2026, early 2027.” (Sep 14, 2025).
- MacRumors — “Here’s When to Expect Apple’s Answer to Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses.” (Jul 4, 2025).
- Reuters / Meta Connect 2025 — Launch of Oakley Meta Vanguard and glasses roadmap. (Sep 17, 2025).
- The Guardian — Presentation of Ray-Ban with AR display. (Sep 17, 2025).