The problem, if you can call it one, with most smart glasses right now is that they all look the same. Most smart glasses usually come with a camera next to the lenses, built-in speakers, the ability to take photos and videos, and an AI chatbot. That is more or less the formula everyone is following. That is not what XGIMI, the brand that is better known for its projectors, is trying to do with its MemoMind glasses.
At MWC 2026 Barcelona, XGIMI showcased its new MemoMind One smart glasses, which skip the camera entirely. Instead of relying on cameras to make the glasses “smart,” the company uses a waveguide display that projects important information directly in front of your eyes whenever you need it.
These smart glasses focus on usefulness, not recording everyone around you
Right off the bat, the XGIMI MemoMind One looks like just another pair of prescription glasses, although you immediately notice that the frame is slightly thicker toward the end. That is presumably where the company has placed the battery.
The stem of the glasses, near where it meets the lenses, houses tiny projectors (this is where I think XGIMI’s core technology comes in). It projects a small display directly in front of your eyes when you wear the glasses.
The waveguide display shows useful information such as time, date, notifications, news, calendar events, and weather. It can also act as a teleprompter when you are giving a keynote or presentation. To explain in simple terms, the experience is similar to the heads-up displays you see in some cars that overlay basic information onto the real world around you.
The glasses have a small square area in the lenses where the projector displays the information. The interface appears as green text floating in your view. It’s not very noticeable to others, although it can creep up from certain angles.
In addition to showing notifications and acting as a teleprompter, the glasses can also function as a live translation tool. They listen to the other person’s voice through the microphone and display the translated text in real time. I saw a demo where the system translated Chinese into English, and it worked surprisingly well.
Although, the feature I liked the most was the memory function. You can tap and hold a button on the right stem of the glasses to save information. For example, you can say, “Remind me that I have to check in for my flight at 1pm,” then release the button. The glasses will show that reminder at the exact time you need it.
There are also several AI features involved, with the glasses running what XGIMI calls a “multi-LLM hybrid operating system” that allows switching between different AI models depending on the task.
For now, XGIMI says the glasses should deliver around 16 hours of battery life on a single charge. Charging happens through two-pin connectors at the end of the stems.
So yes, alongside charging your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds, you may now also need to charge your glasses. There is no charging case yet, but the company says it is working on one that could extend battery life to about a week with the case.
I didn’t get much time to use these smart glasses at XGIMI’s booth at MWC, but one thing I immediately appreciated about the MemoMind One is the company’s decision to go with a no-camera approach.
For me, smart glasses should not just be about recording the world around you. They should focus on showing useful information right when you need it, directly in front of your eyes, without forcing you to pull out your smartphone. And MemoMind One seems to be on the right track.
XGIMI says the glasses will be available in multiple variants when they launch later this year. There will be full-rim and half-rim frames, square and round shapes, prescription support, and even a sunglasses attachment.
I’m still a bit skeptical about the $599 price tag the company has set for them, but perhaps spending more time with the glasses will change my mind.
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