I have had the Even Realities G1 smart glasses for a couple of months now. While I haven’t been able to use them every day in a row, I have used them for about 30 days. My friends say they are very stylish and “don’t look like a device,” which is their biggest advantage.
So far, we’ve seen several versions of smart glasses, including the camera-enabled Meta Ray-Bans AI, Bose glasses speakers, and TCL RayNeo AR glasses, but the Even Realities G1 are none of those. They have a screen and microphones but no speaker or camera. The G1 is a smart combination of a minimalist feature set that feels perfect, where technology takes a backseat and lifestyle comes to the forefront.
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The Even Realities G1 smart glasses need more polish, but from what I’ve experienced over the past few months, they are getting better with each update. You may not want to spend $600 on a pair of smart glasses, but they are very tempting.
The future is here
Even Realities G1 features a Holistic Adaptive Optical System (HAOS), which is a fancy wording for two small screens. As shown in the title image and in contrast in the image above, the two rectangles on both lenses responsible for displaying information can only be seen at an angle. These are usually not visible to others.
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When you tilt your head up, the micro-LED optical engine projector displays green digital text with a resolution of 640 x 200 pixels. The resolution may not sound impressive to the brain obsessed with smartphone spec sheets, but this is an excellent display. It is clearly seen in daylight and you can distinguish the details easily.
You can adjust the angle of the viewing function within the app. For example, I set it to 20 degrees, so whenever the glasses detect that my head is tilted to 20 degrees, they display the screen. The dashboard shows the time, notes, notification count, and more. It might seem like this would interfere with your view of your current life, but it doesn’t because you are consciously activating the screen instead of being perpetually present.
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Even Realities has put two lenses together to create the digital lens, but they don’t feel any heavier than my normal glasses. Unlike other bulky smart glasses, the G1 is comfortable. I love my Meta Ray-Bans, but even they are heavier than my usual sunglasses. However, I have not experienced nose pad fatigue during my review process.
The weight distribution rests more on the arms than the frame. As a result, the G1s are very comfortable. You can also get prescription lenses (which cost an extra $150) and wear them like regular lenses like I do.
The rest of the {hardware} includes the battery, gesture panels, screwless hinges, microphones, and antennas to interact with the phone app via Bluetooth. Originally released with a round design, they have since added another option, the Even G1 B, with rectangular frames. The frame has a matte finish and is made of solid magnesium, while the temples are coated in silicone for better grip.
These are housed in a case that resembles a regular glasses case, which can charge them up to 2.5 times. However, it has been complicated for me. On more than one occasion I found myself with the glasses not charged to 100%, even though the case previously charged them only once.
What Even Realities G1 smart glasses can do
The Even Realities G1 has six key features. Here’s how they perform and how I’d like to see them improve.
1. Notifications
When connected to the phone (almost always), the G1 displays a notification count on the dashboard. You can access these notifications by tilting your head up to view them temporarily or by using gestures on the touchpad if you want to view them later.
It’s a nice trick, but it’s missing two things. You can’t respond to notifications. I would love for Even AI to help me respond by dictating a message. Secondly, notifications must be cleared manually. They are not deleted even after you have viewed them on your phone, which creates friction in the user experience.
2. Translate
This feature is useful when traveling to a place where the language is not spoken. I tried it with my limited French and Spanish and it was accurate. You choose one of the 13 supported languages, and when a person speaks in that language, the glasses display the translation on the screen.
However, this feature is one-sided. You can translate what the other person says, but you can’t have a conversation unless they also have a translation device. A possible solution could involve having the glasses translate your language and having your smartphone translate yours into theirs.
3. Quick note
I enjoyed adding reminders with QuickNote on the G1. When you press and hold the right touchpad, the glasses display “Quick Note Recording.” I’ve used it to jot down tasks and ideas throughout the day.
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Currently, notes are displayed on the dashboard when you look up below. I would love to be able to choose which notes appear on the board through the app. Sometimes I jot down ideas for later, while other times I need reminders of tasks I need to complete before the day is over.
4. Navigation
If you like cycling, you will love this. The G1 can display turn-by-turn navigation without needing to check your phone. It’s not distracting, as navigation is always present rather than activated at a glance. It’s great for walking and cycling. The trick? You must set your destination through the Even Realities app.
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I prefer the integration with Google or Apple Maps and the ability to ask the glasses to navigate. With the built-in microphones, this seems doable.
5. Television
The G1 also doubles as a teleprompter for presentations. The audience won’t notice that you are reading on a screen. Simply add your script to the app and it will appear on the projector screen, with bold words in current time. This is one of the most polished features.
6. Even AI
Powered by Perplexity, Even AI can perform simple tasks like calculations and unit conversions. However, it needs to be faster. I prefer to use my smartphone than wait for a consultation to be completed. This feature is still in beta.
ZDNET Buying Tips
Like any other first-generation product, the Even Realities G1 suffers from being less accessible. These glasses are expensive at $599with additional costs for prescription lenses ($150) or clip-on sunglasses ($100) that double as sunglasses. Also, most features need more polishing.
The Even Realities G1 {hardware} is brilliant and the glasses easily last a whole day. I charge them every night before I go to bed. Over time, they have only gotten better with each update. I see the vision and I’m on board if Even Realities continues to refine the feature set. Features like dashboard customization, Google Maps integration, and voice-activated navigation would make the G1 even better.
These are promising smart glasses that I don’t want to give up.
This article was originally published on January 5, 2025 and updated on January 18, 2025.
