Updated
Updated · HardwareZone · Jul 1
HTC VIVE Eagle Smart Glasses Trail Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 at S$730
Updated
Updated · HardwareZone · Jul 1

HTC VIVE Eagle Smart Glasses Trail Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 at S$730

2 articles · Updated · HardwareZone · Jul 1

Summary

  • HTC’s VIVE Eagle emerges as a capable first smart-glasses effort, but the review says it is hard to recommend over Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 despite solid calls, audio and hands-free AI features.
  • S$730 to S$880 pricing in Singapore undercuts its case, because Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 starts at S$629 while offering better styling, a more polished ecosystem, stronger video capture and a charging case.
  • 12MP photos are serviceable, but video tops out at 1,512 x 2,016 at 30fps, below Meta’s 3K option; battery is rated above 36 hours standby, 4.5 hours music and 3 hours of calls.
  • HTC tries to differentiate with VIVE AI support for Google Gemini and ChatGPT, AI Notes with local AES-256-encrypted storage, and an Asian-fit design with adjustable nose pads.
  • The launch comes as display-less smart glasses shipments jumped 210% year on year in Q1 2026, a market where Meta already holds 84% and sets the benchmark HTC is chasing.

Insights

Can HTC’s open AI and privacy focus challenge Meta as the smart glasses war with Apple and Google begins?
Are smart glasses the next essential gadget or a privacy risk still searching for a true 'killer app'?