HTC launched an upgraded version of its VIVE Eagle AI smart glasses on September 3, 2026, introducing a rounded frame model alongside the existing square frame design [1, 2, 3]. The glasses retail for US$499 in the United States and became available for purchase on the launch date. Shipments to customers in Europe—including Germany, the UK, and France—and Australia are scheduled to start on September 21 [1, 2, 4]. The European pricing was set at 469 euros and 429 pounds [2].
The VIVE Eagle glasses integrate AI assistants powered by OpenAI’s GPT and Google Gemini, allowing users to issue voice commands for enhanced interactivity [1, 2, 4]. They feature a 12-megapixel front camera and upgraded video recording capabilities with up to 3K resolution [1, 2, 4]. The glasses support real-time AI translations and note-taking in over 90 languages, with cross-language dialogue and listening modes specifically supporting up to 96 languages [5, 4, 6]. The new rounded frame model weighs under 49 grams, offering a lightweight option for users [3]. Battery standby life reaches 36 hours per charge [2].
HTC emphasized privacy features in the VIVE Eagle design. Recording blocks automatically if the LED recording indicator is covered, and the device stops recording if a bystander verbally says "stop filming." User data is encrypted and not used to train AI models, ensuring data autonomy and privacy protection [1, 2, 4, 7]. Huang Zhaoying, HTC Senior Vice President, said, "VIVE Eagle lets users choose different AI services and continuously improves cross-language communication, content capture, instant sharing, natural interaction, and battery life, while placing privacy and data autonomy at the product’s core" [5].
HTC highlighted that AI smart glasses revenue has surpassed its smartphone revenue in 2026, with the smartphone division entering its final phase and no new phone models planned [3]. Huang said, "Currently smartphones have little room for innovation, so HTC will focus on AI glasses, launching another new AI hardware product in Q4 2026" [4]. The company also plans to release a new generation of AI smart glasses with revolutionary design changes in the first half of 2027 [6, 7].
The company announced partnerships with Taiwanese telecom operators Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile. These partnerships offer customers zero-cost entry plans bundled with 5G packages to promote smart glasses adoption [3, 8]. Chunghwa Telecom’s Personal and Home Services GM Hu Xuehai commented, "Smart life no longer means looking down at a phone but looking up to see the information and services needed" [8].
HTC does not plan to launch VIVE Eagle in mainland China currently due to limited access to core AI services like Google Gemini and OpenAI [4, 6].
VIVE Eagle shipments begin immediately in the US and Taiwan with Europe and Australia following from September 21. HTC's next AI hardware product is expected in Q4 2026, with a next-generation AI smart glasses model due in early 2027 [4, 6, 9].
