Review of the Even Realities G1 Smart Glasses

These viral augmented glasses have AI built in and look incredible, but would I actually use them?

I've testing the Even Realities' G1 smart glasses for several months, and while they’ve sparked a lot of comments about the style of the frames, only a couple of pals have actually clocked that they're a piece of tech. That subtlety is a big plus in my book, especially considering the flashy experience of wearing Google Glass in public years back. These glasses look like ones you’d genuinely want to wear, and they fit right in without calling unnecessary attention to themselves.

But unlike Clark Kent, who reveals his superpowers by taking off his glasses, I actually gain mine by keeping these on. With G1’s smart capabilities, I can access real-time language translation, AI features, navigation, and a personal assistant—all through a sleek pair of everyday glasses.

While most other smart glasses, like the Ray-Ban Meta, primarily offer Bluetooth audio features, the G1 stands out with its built-in heads-up display, called the Holistic Adaptive Optical System (HAOS). There’s a barely visible rectangle on each lens where a micro-LED optical engine projects sharp green text at 640 x 200 resolution. A quick glance upward (customizable via the app) reveals a virtual display, seemingly floating at a comfortable viewing distance.

The lenses have a unique two-layer design, making them no thicker or heavier than regular glasses despite the tech they contain. Prescription lenses are available for an additional $129. The projection system works seamlessly under most conditions, though in bright sunlight, you might catch a faint glimpse of the display.

On the end of each arm, small, rubbery nodules house the battery, control buttons, and Bluetooth antennae. These add only a bit of extra weight, but it’s balanced away from the nose, so the glasses still feel comfortable. The frames are constructed from magnesium, with a matte finish and silicone-coated temples for added grip. They also have screwless hinges and a classic oval shape, which gives them a sophisticated look—even before they’re powered on.

The well-designed charging case stores enough power to recharge the glasses about two and a half times, and the glasses’ 60-mAh battery lasts for roughly a day and a half on a single charge.

But beyond aesthetics, what do these glasses actually offer?

Personal Assistant

The G1 isn’t a smartphone replacement; it’s more of a streamlined tool that provides helpful information when needed and stays out of the way otherwise. Once the glasses are paired with the app, looking up displays the date, time, battery status, and upcoming events (if permissions are set). Notifications from social media and messaging apps can appear, though you can’t respond to them, which feels like a missed opportunity given the glasses’ built-in microphones.

The QuickNotes feature, activated by pinching the right arm, lets you take voice notes. Simply speak, and your words are saved as text, accessible on the display. If you mention specific dates, times, or places, the assistant can even add reminders to your calendar. While I’m not much for voice notes, I found it helpful for remembering names and job titles when meeting new people.

Language Translation

Through the Even Realities app, you can choose from 13 different languages and set the output to English (or another language). When someone speaks in the selected language, the glasses pick up their words, translate them, and display the translation on the heads-up display. It worked well for one-on-one conversations and even let me watch shows without subtitles. However, it would benefit from a camera to translate things like menus or signs on the go. It's also key to note here that you have to pay extra for this feature! You pay $5 per hour of translation.

Directions

Still in beta, the turn-by-turn GPS feature displays directions, distance to the next turn, and a mini-map right in the lens. It’s convenient, especially without needing a phone, but the map currently stays visible at all times instead of appearing only when you glance up. This can be a bit distracting, so a customizable setup would be ideal. The search feature has also been hit-or-miss, sometimes misidentifying nearby locations, but this may improve with future updates.

Teleprompter

One of the best features is the teleprompter function. After uploading a script via the app, the glasses display the text, and as you speak, a microphone tracks your progress, bolding the words in real-time. Limited to four lines of text at a time, the smooth scrolling feels natural, letting you maintain eye contact without looking like you’re reading.

Final Thoughts

As a tech enthusiast, I’m rooting for the G1 to succeed. The display technology is impressive, and the design looks great. But while the features are promising, they could use some refinement to feel truly seamless.

Though it’s a big step up from certain other devices, like the Humane AI Pin, the G1’s occasional lag can be frustrating. For something meant to replace smartphone functions, a smoother, more integrated experience is essential.

Some features, like the ability to request directions verbally, would improve the product significantly. For now, it’s a solid foundation with tons of potential. I hope future updates bring the improvements needed to make the G1 a top-tier smart glasses experience.

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