At the recently concluded 2025 I/O Developers Conference, Google showcased its latest Android XR glasses prototype. Compared to existing AR devices on the market, this pair of glasses demonstrates new heights in both design and functionality. Although specific sales plans have not been announced, Google revealed that they will collaborate with well-known brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to release fashionable AR smart glasses equipped with the Gemini AI.
The design of the Android XR glasses is very simple, resembling ordinary glasses in appearance. The temples are slightly higher, the frames a bit thicker, and the camera's LED light is almost unnoticeable when not in use. Media who experienced it on-site said that these glasses are as comfortable to wear as Ray-Ban glasses, and there are no external devices or tangled cables, greatly enhancing user freedom. However, long-term wearing comfort still needs further verification.
Notably, the Android XR glasses adopt a single-lens design, with a display installed on the right lens. Although there is only one screen, Google has made clever adjustments in content presentation to ensure that users are not obstructed from their field of vision in most cases. This design not only reduces the time spent finding the optimal wearing position but also makes the wearing experience more natural.
In terms of functionality, the Android XR glasses integrate Google's Gemini multimodal assistant. Users just need to press the touch area on the right temple to activate this powerful assistant. It can analyze the surrounding environment in real-time, recognize books, recommend hiking routes, and interpret the historical background of artworks, among other things. All of this can be done almost without any physical operation, making the interaction simple and intuitive.
Additionally, the Google Maps function on the glasses is particularly impressive. When users look ahead, they will see simple navigation arrows and street names; when they look down, the view seamlessly switches to a live map. Calendar reminders and message notifications can also intelligently adjust based on the user's line of sight, presenting information intuitively.
It should be noted that the Android XR glasses must be used in conjunction with an Android phone. All visual data and voice commands are initially processed by the glasses and then handed over to the phone for more complex calculations. This design reduces the size and weight of the glasses, but the impact on the phone's battery life remains to be observed.