Huawei has unveiled its new smart glasses that work with Apple’s iPhones. Here’s what to know about it.

Chinese tech giant Huawei has partnered with Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster to release fashionable smart glasses. Gizmochina reported that the smart glasses are now listed in Gentle Monster’s website, and will be released in the Chinese market on Sept. 6.

Huawei CEO Richard Yu first revealed the company’s collaboration with the eyewear brand a few months ago, claiming that the upcoming smart glasses are the latest combination of fashion and technology. Indeed, the Huawei x Gentle Monster smart glasses are obviously designed with fashion in mind. Five styles are currently available: two styles of sunglasses and three styles of clear optical glasses.

The smart glasses don’t just look smart, though. Patently Apple reported that all of them, according to a staff member who works at Gentle Monster’s flagship store in Beijing, allows users to answer phone calls and listen to music -- including those who use non-Huawei smartphones such as iPhones.

Tech specs

All the components needed for the Gentle Monster smart glasses to work are placed inside the temples. These components include a chipset, an antenna, a 2,200mAh battery, a charging module, some microphones, and some speakers. Consequently, all smart functions are also done via the temples.

Users can answer phone calls by tapping on the smart glasses’ temples. They will hear the caller’s voice via the speakers that are strategically placed near the ears, and the users’ voices will be picked up by the microphones placed above their cheeks. Voice assistants can also be accessed via a tap on the temple.

The Huawei x Gentle Monster smart glasses are IP67 rated for dust and water resistance. They are charged via a USB-C port or wirelessly using the unique leather charging case included with every purchase. Prices range between CNY 1,999 ($282.52 USD as of writing time) and CNY 2,499 ($353.26).

The smart glasses are designed to replace earbuds, wired or not. They are also designed to look like regular eyewear, unlike other smart glasses with thick temples. They don’t pack features normally found in other smart glasses, however.

As of now, it’s unclear if they will work with Apple Music or Spotify. Also, Huawei’s smart glasses use stereo speakers, not bone-conducting speakers like those found on Bose’s Audio Sunglasses or Vue’s smartglasses.

The Epson Movario BT-200 smartglasses
Smartglasses might soon replace smartphones, according to a smartglass technology company chairman. (Pictured: The Epson Movario BT-200 smart glasses.) Nick Deel/IBT