HTC Vive Eagle smart glasses are finally ready to go global

Flying the nest from Taiwan, the smart frames let users choose between OpenAI GPT and Google Gemini

HTC has announced that its Vive Eagle smart glasses are coming to the US, UK, and Europe—just over a year after the specs first became available in Taiwan.

The rollout means the brand is officially in the mix of the rapidly growing AI glasses category on a global scale. And the timing is crucial, with HTC making the announcement at IFA 2026 in Berlin—just weeks ahead of Meta Connect.

Weighing 49g, the $499 / £429 / €469 Vive Eagle pair lightweight daily eyewear styling with dual-model generative AI—essentially making them the brand's answer to the category leader, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2.

They're available to order now, with shipping beginning immediately in North America and from 21st September in the UK and Europe.

Letting the user choose their AI

Unlike smart glasses that lock wearers into a single proprietary assistant, the Vive Eagle lets users seamlessly toggle between Google Gemini and OpenAI GPT in the companion Vive Connect app.

The glasses also run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, and feature an ultra-wide 12MP camera that can capture 3K video (1512 x 2016 at 30 fps) and 12MP HDR photos.

An open-ear directional stereo speaker setup and a 4-microphone array for hands-free calls and voice prompts are also housed inside the arms.

As is now the industry standard for camera-equipped smart glasses, the onboard snapper automatically disables whenever the glasses are removed from the wearer’s face, and a hardwired external LED lights up whenever video or photo capture is active.

We're currently putting the Vive Eagle through its paces ahead of a full review—and we're most keen to test out some of the software features.

Chief among them is 'Total Memory Recall', which saves local context markers to help users recall where they parked or placed items. It also includes more standard features, such as live translation (across more than 90 languages) and direct streaming support for Twitch and YouTube.

With IP54 dust and splash resistance, magnetic fast charging (1-50% in 10 minutes), three default optical lens variants, and support for custom prescription lenses (ranging from -8D to +4D) all part of the package, too, the Vive Eagle arrives as a compelling alternative to Meta's wares—at least on paper.

Stay tuned for our full verdict over the coming weeks.