Solos Smart Glasses: Where is the AR, exactly?

We were promised a true AR assistant, but all we got was an overpriced Bluetooth headset locked behind a monthly fee.

Image credit: gagadget.com

I love watching the underdogs take on the tech giants in the virtual and augmented reality space. But let’s be honest: most of what’s being pushed to the market today doesn’t even deserve to be called “smart.” The tech industry wants us to believe that wearing a compact, invisible computer on our face is the next big lifestyle shift. Brands promise seamless augmented reality that enhances daily life without sucking us into a dystopian virtual world. Solos is one of those companies with a grand philosophy. But first impressions are almost always a trap — and reality is nowhere near as pretty as their marketing materials.

Sure, putting cameras and AI into glasses sounds brilliant on paper. In a few years, we won’t even need to waste time learning foreign languages; we’ll just put on glasses that translate everything in real-time. That’s exactly why I wanted to take a look at Solos. I genuinely want them to succeed and polish their ideas — mostly so I never have to learn a language I’ll only use once in my lifetime.

(Disclaimer: I’m not saying you shouldn’t learn languages. Self-development is always great. But you get my point.)

Image credit: Solos official website

A Note on the Lineup: The “Choose Your Frame” Illusion

Before we dive into the specific models, it’s important to understand Solos’ strategy. They use a consistent base technology — whether it’s the AirGo 3, A5, or V platform — but fragment it across dozens of different frame names (Argon, Hydro, Krypton, and so on).

Don’t be misled by the variety: while the tech platform remains the same, the pricing can fluctuate significantly based on the frame design or minor configuration tweaks. Essentially, you’re often paying a premium for the aesthetic choice, not for a jump in performance or genuine technological advancement.

Image credit: Solos official website

Solos AirGo 3

I refuse to call these “smart glasses” or “AR glasses” in any meaningful sense. They are basically just an audio accessory — a Bluetooth headset awkwardly crammed into eye frames. For around $249, you get another gadget to add to your pile, featuring a severely limited FREE AI assistant (where you must pay a subscription to unlock full features) and zero isolation from the outside world.

Key Technical Specs:

1. All electronics are packed into the temples. The frame features a virtual button and a touch sensor for volume control.
2. Open-ear speakers that leave your ear canal completely uncovered. You can read more about why this design is questionable in my article: The Open-Ear Audio Trend: Ultimate Comfort or the Biggest Tech Scam of 2026?
3. Noise cancellation aimed strictly at making your voice clearer for phone calls and AI processing.
4. AI integration that can read notifications aloud, take voice notes, search for info, and handle translations.
5. Up to 10 hours of battery life, charging via Type-C in about 1.5 hours.
6. IP67 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.4, and a weight of roughly 37 grams.
7. Swappable frames ranging from classic styles to sporty looks.

• Who are they for? For the first time, I have no idea. This is a half-baked product that is nowhere near ready for mass consumers. It’s only for tech masochists who want to participate in beta-testing a raw gadget, hoping it might evolve into something decent in 3 to 5 years.
• Who should avoid them? Audiophiles, because open-ear audio will never match the sound quality of vacuum IEMs or proper earbuds. Also, anyone looking for actual AR rather than just a glorified voice assistant.

The Verdict: The AI is implemented in a weird way through their proprietary SolosChat app instead of a native ChatGPT account. To get premium features and save your chat history, you have to pay $9.99/month. Strip away the marketing, and this is just a standard Bluetooth 5.4 headset that offers very little actual help. Bluetooth earpieces have existed for 15 years. Why do we need them in glasses form? Would I buy them? Absolutely not. Maybe in the future, but definitely not today. Great idea, terrible execution.

Image credit: Solos official website

Solos AirGo A5 — The Middle Child (If Not for the Details)

Formally, this is the mid-tier model. The manufacturer clearly attempted to make them smarter while keeping them looking like everyday eyewear. They kept the audio functionality but still skipped the camera. The price tag remains at $249.

Key Technical Specs:

1. Weight is around 40 grams.
2. An updated temple hinge mechanism that improves weight distribution and fits any head shape.
3. Open-ear sound just like the previous model, but with slightly improved privacy.
4. Expanded AI. It’s still based on ChatGPT, but they added other AI models through their app.
5. Up to 10 hours of battery life (or 7 hours of talk time).
6. IP54 splash resistance and an older Bluetooth 5.2 chip.
7. UV protection, blue light filtering, and anti-reflective coating.

• Who are they for? Students, freelancers, or anyone looking for a daily assistant gadget — or honestly, anyone who wants a device they don’t actually need but think might help. I’m not entirely convinced it will help any of these categories in real life, but maybe someday later.
• Who should avoid them? Anyone who comes into contact with water, and anyone looking for a technological breakthrough. You won’t find one here.

The Verdict: This is a victory for aesthetics, not technology. It’s fine for daily wear, but the company conveniently forgets to mention that the “free” AI is heavily castrated unless you pay a monthly fee. The Premium plan costs $4.99/month, but that only covers ChatGPT — you have to pay extra for other models. The Elite plan is $12.99/month, which finally gives you unlimited AI and real-time simultaneous translation. I would not buy this.

Image credit: Solos official website

Solos AirGo V (Vision) — The Flagship Failure

This model was clearly built to compete with the Meta Ray-Ban glasses. It features a 16 MP camera and is positioned as a top-tier device that sees what you see and helps you via voice prompts. Price: around $299.

Key Technical Specs:

1. A 16 MP camera with software stabilization.
2. AI via SolosChat 3.0 featuring object recognition, price tag translation, and instant calorie counting.
3. An LED indicator that turns on during recording or AI operations.
4. A recent update introduced video streaming.
5. Around 10 hours of battery life and IP67 protection.

• Who are they for? Students, freelancers, tourists — honestly, nothing new here.
• Who should avoid them? Anyone expecting a top-tier camera, anyone wanting full-fledged AR, and anyone who despises software subscriptions.

The Verdict: An ambitious project, but entirely raw. $299 is too much money for a product that feels like a beta test, especially given the Bluetooth limitations and paywalled AI features. Sadly, it completely loses the fight to the Meta Ray-Ban glasses. I might buy a fully finished version in the future, but I am absolutely not paying for hardware subscriptions. I’m confident Chinese competitors will soon offer higher quality without forcing a subscription down our throats.

Image credit: Solos official website

Final Thoughts

I don’t have many positive things to say. Yes, the concept of a daily assistant gadget is cool — it feels like a sci-fi movie from 20 years ago. I love the concept and the ideology, but these specific models are just too raw. You can only compete with the big guys if you actively fix your mistakes. When Solos brags about AI integration, they hide the mandatory subscription model in the fine print. I understand paying for premium software features, but not when the hardware itself feels like a beta test.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to call these “AI glasses.” They are overpriced Bluetooth headsets with a paywalled AI gimmick. If you don’t pay, the AI is useless. It’s hard to compete when your products feel unfinished. It’s a mockery of consumers to sell something caught in limbo between a basic headset and paywalled AI.

I often get criticized for being too harsh and never focusing on the positives. But I want everyone to remember: Detail Matters is a completely independent project. No brand, store, or manufacturer can influence my final conclusions. I write as a user, for the users. Independence is a luxury that not everyone can afford, but Detail Matters can.

— llgudjey