Even Realities G1 review: limited but effective smart glasses

G1 smart glasses are useful, priced at $599, with AI, navigation, and translation features.

: The Even Realities G1 smart glasses receive an expert score of 78 for their features despite being low-tech. Weighing 44 grams, they display on a 640x200 dot matrix, offer navigation, notifications, AI integration, and translation in 24 languages. Selling at $599, they are criticized for their reliance on a phone and limited controls. Availability in two frame styles complements their functionality which includes role as a teleprompter and second screen.

Even Realities G1 smart glasses are positioned as a pragmatic choice focused on simplicity and effectiveness rather than extensive features. Daniel Cooper, a senior editor at Engadget, draws parallels to the Pebble smartwatch, emphasizing the G1’s approach as one that delivers essential functionalities competently. This philosophy mirrors the limited yet focused capabilities of the G1's design, primarily providing users with a heads-up display that integrates seamlessly with smartphones, making these glasses a practical, low-tech addition to one's wearable tech ensemble.

The glasses feature a 640 x 200 dot matrix display with a 20Hz refresh rate and 1,000 nits brightness, designed to be easily readable and energy-efficient. Constructed from magnesium and titanium alloy, they weigh 44 grams which, while more than typical eyeglasses, remain manageable. The smart glasses lack a camera and speakers, utilizing a simple control system to manage various built-in features such as notifications, navigation, and AI integration. The reliance on mobile phones for enhanced functionality is highlighted, a point Daniel Cooper points out as both a limitation and a necessary compromise due to design constraints.

Functionality includes real-time translation of 24 languages, navigation features with turn-by-turn directions, acting as a teleprompter, and enabling easy access to notifications. These features render the G1 practical for various real-world applications, although their interaction is limited by current input methods. Notable constraints include the phone dependence for operational nuances and limited control interfaces, restricting the full potential of the device without phone interaction. Despite these limitations, users benefit from capabilities such as translation and transcription, fostering a broad user application spectrum for travelers and professionals alike.

The G1 glasses are priced at $599, with additional costs for features like corrective lenses ($150) or polarizing sunglass clips ($100). This pricing marks them as high-end within the smart glasses market, where alternatives like Meta's Ray-Ban Wayfarers or TCL’s RayNeo promise different AR experiences at varying price points. Even Realities offers users the adaptability to return glasses for lens updates, a useful aspect given the bi-annual prescription changes typical among eyeglass wearers. Such thoughtful considerations contribute to the G1's appeal, notwithstanding its significant price.

Though functionally robust, the G1 smart glasses highlight a cautious step forward in the evolution of smart wearables. Daniel Cooper hints at potential enhancements that may optimize performance and user satisfaction, urging future software updates that could introduce more versatile control schemes and expanded functionalities. By focusing on core features, the Even Realities G1 positions itself as a capable tool rather than a technologically overwhelming gadget, thus catering to users who prioritize practicality over experimentation in augmented reality advancements.

Sources: Engadget, Even Realities