Xiaomi's Mijia Smart Audio Glasses: A Stylish Blend of Tech and Comfort

Xiaomi recently unveiled its Mijia Smart Audio Glasses, introducing a new contender in the increasingly crowded smart glasses market. The device emphasizes integrated audio and a comfortable design, offering a two-in-one solution for glasses wearers.

According to Michail of m.gsmarena.com, while Xiaomi's latest offering 'is not the smartest option out there,' it does feature a premium design and 'generally useful features.' Michail reports that the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses integrate built-in speakers into the temples, providing an 'open earbud experience.' This is complemented by quad microphones, enabling hands-free calls and the capability to record calls and ambient audio.

Michail of m.gsmarena.com reviewed the Titanium version, which retails for €199, noting that Xiaomi also offers browline and pilot styles, with the latter featuring UV400 protection. The reporter highlighted that the Titanium model is the lightest, weighing just over 34 grams with lenses, partly due to its 5mm slim plastic temples. The glasses are IP54-rated, protecting against dust and water splashes, and standard lenses block 25% of blue light, making them suitable for extended screen time. Lenses are also swappable for prescriptions.

Michail states that the Mijia Smart Glasses are 'comfortable to wear all day long' though they felt 'a tad heavier than a regular pair of glasses with prescription lenses.' Controls are managed via large touch sensors positioned at the midpoint of the temples, which Michail found to be 'well spaced and easy to work with,' registering taps without issues. The retail package includes a faux leather pouch, a cleaning cloth, and a distinctive magnetic charger that connects to the temple ends and consolidates into a USB-C port.

Xiaomi claims the speakers offer up to 13 hours of playback, with a full charge taking approximately one hour. Michail praised the 'excellent build quality,' observing the appeal to 'regular glasses wearers who also use wireless earbuds or headphones.' The reporter personally found the two-in-one solution refreshing, stating it was 'refreshing not to have additional earphones or earbuds covering my ears' as a glasses wearer for over 8 hours daily.

However, Michail noted that the built-in speakers 'don’t impress, and they don’t get very loud either,' deeming them 'fine for casual use' and calls in quiet environments. The glasses include a privacy mode to reduce sound leakage, though Michail could not vouch for its effectiveness at higher volumes. Connectivity proved solid in their brief testing, with the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses pairing via Bluetooth 5.4 and supporting dual device pairing, akin to modern wireless earbuds.

Our take: Xiaomi's entry with the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses underscores a growing trend in the wearables market: the integration of smart features into everyday personal items. By focusing on audio and comfort, Xiaomi is clearly targeting a segment that values practicality over complex AR capabilities. This strategic move could carve out a niche, especially among users who find traditional earbuds cumbersome when combined with prescription glasses. The competitive €199 price point could also make these an accessible option for those looking to dip their toes into smart eyewear without committing to a full augmented reality experience.