Chinese company to compete with Apple Vision Pro offers 5 times cheaper AR glasses

Chinese tech company, Rokid, is set to rival Apple as it debuts its latest range of AR glasses, which aren’t such expensive eyesores.

For many, the Apple Vision Pro headset is considered the epitome of AR devices. However, while augmented reality devices are still seen as a novelty, other tech companies are trying to provide more users with the opportunity to explore mixed reality at an affordable price.

One such company is Rokid, a Chinese tech company specializing in augmented reality. The Apple Vision Pro competitor will release a second-generation consumer AR glasses—the Rokid AR Lite—in September.

The glasses resemble regular sunglasses and are the first to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform.

Since the device's battery is stored separately, the glasses weigh only 75 g and offer 1200p resolution per eye thanks to the Sony 0.68-inch MicroOLED display.

Together with the glasses, there is a small Rokid Station 2 with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. Its specifications include 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 5000mAh battery. The company suggests "maximum immersion" with a 300-inch (7.62 meters) FHD screen.

The glasses also include the "world's first myopia & pupillary adjustment," allowing users to tailor the device according to their eyesight.

Rokid AR Lite glasses are compatible with many different devices, from smartphones to gaming consoles.

These Rokid glasses are sold for $499 (the package includes the glasses and Station 2) with an early bird deal. The regular package price is $749, which is still cheaper than, let's say, an Apple Vision Pro headset priced at $3499.