AURAI Glossary

Smart Glasses Specs, Decoded

Every spec explained with AURAI's critical perspective. Learn how manufacturers measure each metric, how they game the numbers, and what really matters for your daily use.

89 terms

Brightness

brightness_nits

Display & OpticsUsed by 55 products

Display brightness in nits (cd/m2).

The Critical View

Brightness specs in smart glasses are perhaps the most misleading of all display metrics. Problems include: (1) manufacturers report panel brightness before optical losses — a panel rated at 2,000 nits behind a waveguide with 40% optical efficiency delivers only ~800 nits to the eye; (2) "peak brightness" vs. "sustained brightness" vs. "typical brightness" are conflated — peak brightness may only be achievable in a small HDR highlight window or for a few seconds before thermal throttling; (3) nits measured at the panel do not account for ambient light washout — a 1,000-nit see-through display becomes nearly invisible in direct sunlight (~100,000 lux) because the human eye adapts to ambient brightness; (4) some manufacturers quote "perceived brightness" which is a subjective metric with no standard definition.

How It's Measured

Integer value in nits (cd/m2). AURAI stores the manufacturer's stated brightness figure, which typically represents peak panel brightness before optical losses. For accurate outdoor usability assessment, divide the stated value by 2–3x for birdbath optics or 3–5x for waveguide optics to estimate eye-level brightness.

Real-World Feel

Under 500 nits (at-eye): indoor use only — display washes out near windows. 500–1,500 nits (at-eye): usable indoors and in shade, struggles in direct sunlight. 1,500–4,000 nits (at-eye): visible in most outdoor conditions except direct sunlight glare. Above 4,000 nits (at-eye): truly sunlight-readable, currently rare. For context, a 3,000-nit panel behind a typical waveguide (35% efficiency) delivers roughly 1,050 nits to the eye — adequate for overcast outdoor use but not sunny conditions. Most consumer AR glasses in 2026 deliver 400–1,200 nits at-eye in practice.

Deep dive →

Diopter Adjustment

diopter_adjustment

Display & OpticsUsed by 97 products

Built-in vision correction adjustment.

The Critical View

This is a significant usability factor that manufacturers often bury in footnotes. Without diopter adjustment, users who wear prescription glasses must either: (a) wear the smart glasses over their existing glasses (uncomfortable, often impossible due to fit), (b) purchase custom prescription lens inserts ($75–$200 additional cost and 1–3 week wait), or (c) wear contact lenses. Manufacturers market "prescription compatible" which may only mean option (b) exists as a third-party accessory, not that the device has built-in correction. The distinction matters enormously for the ~65% of adults who need vision correction. Some devices offer adjustable diopter dials (typically -5.0D to +3.0D range) while others have fixed focal distances that work for some prescriptions but not others.

How It's Measured

Boolean. TRUE if the product has any form of built-in, user-adjustable diopter correction (mechanical dial, slider, or electronic). Separate prescription insert accessories do NOT qualify — those are tracked via the prescription_lens_option field. The specific diopter range is stored in diopter_adjustment_range.

The same manufacturer inflation tactics apply as with horizontal resolution. Additionally, some products have non-standard aspect ratios (e.g., 16:9 panel in a 16:5 visible window) where the panel resolution exceeds the optically usable resolution — the edges are physically clipped by the optics. Vertical resolution is particularly important for text-heavy AR use cases like teleprompting and notification overlays, where vertical pixel density determines how many readable lines fit in the display.

How It's Measured

Integer value representing vertical pixels for a single eye. Should reflect the optically usable vertical resolution, not just the panel spec, though in practice most sources report panel resolution.

Real-World Feel

For wearable displays primarily used as virtual screens (movie watching, desktop mirroring), a vertical resolution of at least 1080 pixels is the practical minimum for comfortable extended use. Below 720 vertical pixels, text rendering quality drops noticeably. Notification-only AR overlays (e.g., INMO Air, Focals by North) may use as few as 480 vertical pixels, which is adequate for short text snippets but unsuitable for productivity.

Deep dive →

Resolution per Eye (Width)

resolution_per_eye_w

Display & OpticsUsed by 57 products

Horizontal resolution per eye in pixels.

The Critical View

Manufacturers exploit resolution reporting in three primary ways. First, binocular products sometimes report combined (both-eye) resolution — a "3840x1080" spec might actually be 1920x1080 per eye. Second, panel resolution does not equal perceived resolution: optical losses, especially in waveguide systems, can degrade effective resolution by 20–40%, making a 1920-pixel panel look closer to 1200 pixels in practice. Third, resolution is meaningless without FOV context — 1920 pixels spread across 46 degrees is sharp (42 PPD), but the same resolution across 90 degrees is noticeably pixelated (21 PPD). Always compute pixels-per-degree (PPD) for meaningful comparison.

How It's Measured

Integer value representing horizontal pixels for a single eye. Sourced from panel manufacturer datasheets where available, otherwise from product specs. For binocular products using a single wide panel (e.g., some VR-style viewers), this should be half the total horizontal resolution.

Real-World Feel

Under 30 PPD (pixels per degree): visible screen-door effect and pixelation on text. 30–40 PPD: acceptable for video, readable large text. 40–60 PPD: sharp for most content, comfortable for extended reading. Above 60 PPD: retina-grade, indistinguishable from a high-quality monitor. Most consumer AR glasses in 2026 land in the 30–45 PPD range. For a typical 46-degree FOV display, 1920 horizontal pixels yields roughly 42 PPD — adequate but not exceptional.

Deep dive →

Supports 3d

supports_3d

Display & OpticsUsed by 97 products

Stereoscopic 3D content support.

The Critical View

"3D support" is frequently overstated. True stereoscopic 3D requires independent left/right eye images with correct parallax — this demands either two separate displays (one per eye) or a single display with fast temporal multiplexing and synchronized shutter optics. Many binocular devices that clone the same image to both eyes are not stereoscopic even though they have two screens. Additionally, "3D support" may mean the hardware is physically capable but the software ecosystem has minimal 3D content available. Some manufacturers claim 3D capability based on side-by-side (SBS) video playback support, which is technically 3D but a low bar — any dual-display device can do this. True volumetric or depth-correct AR overlay is a much higher standard.

How It's Measured

Boolean. TRUE if the device supports independent per-eye rendering for stereoscopic depth. Verified against product documentation and hands-on testing. Devices that only display 2D content identically to both eyes are marked FALSE even if they are binocular.

Real-World Feel

For media consumption, 3D support enables immersive movie viewing (SBS 3D content libraries are growing) and spatial video playback (Apple Spatial Video, Meta 3D photos). For productivity, 3D is largely irrelevant. For gaming and spatial computing, it is essential. Note that 3D content induces vergence-accommodation conflict at fixed focal distances, which can cause eye strain in sessions longer than 30–45 minutes for sensitive users.

Audio Frequency Response (Max)

audio_freq_response_max_hz

Audio & CameraUsed by 43 products

Highest reproducible audio frequency in Hz.

The Critical View

The upper frequency limit is less commonly gamed than the lower limit because small drivers can physically reach high frequencies more easily. However, manufacturers still sometimes claim 20,000 Hz (the theoretical limit of human hearing) when independent measurements show significant rolloff above 12,000-16,000 Hz. For open-ear speakers, high-frequency performance is more affected by the acoustic coupling between the driver and the ear — small changes in glasses fit can shift the effective upper limit by several thousand Hz. Most adults over 30 cannot hear above 15,000-16,000 Hz regardless, making claims above that range irrelevant for the majority of users.

How It's Measured

Integer in Hertz (Hz). The same measurement standard inconsistencies apply as with the minimum frequency: -3 dB vs. -10 dB vs. unspecified. Common claimed values range from 8,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Prefer independent review measurements when available.

Real-World Feel

Below 8,000 Hz: speech remains intelligible but music sounds muffled and dull — cymbals, string harmonics, and vocal sibilance are lost. 8,000-12,000 Hz: adequate for speech-centric use (calls, podcasts, voice assistants). 12,000-16,000 Hz: the practical range for enjoyable music listening on glasses speakers. Above 16,000 Hz: inaudible to most adults; claims beyond this are marketing rather than functional.

Deep dive →

Audio Frequency Response (Min)

audio_freq_response_min_hz

Audio & CameraUsed by 43 products

Lowest reproducible audio frequency in Hz.

The Critical View

This spec is routinely overstated for smart glasses. A manufacturer claiming "20 Hz" bass response on a miniature open-ear speaker is technically measuring the point where output drops to inaudibility, not where useful bass exists. In hi-fi audio, frequency response is measured at -3 dB; in marketing, it's often measured at -10 dB or even -20 dB, dramatically inflating the range. For the tiny drivers in smart glasses temples (typically 8-12mm), physically meaningful bass below 100-150 Hz is extremely difficult to achieve regardless of what the spec sheet claims. Bone conduction drivers have even worse low-frequency performance, rarely delivering perceptible output below 200 Hz.

How It's Measured

Integer in Hertz (Hz). Ideally measured at -3 dB relative to the reference level across the frequency band, but manufacturers almost never disclose the measurement standard. When available, prefer independent review measurements over manufacturer claims. Common claimed values range from 20 Hz to 200 Hz, but real-world useful output for glasses-form-factor speakers rarely extends below 100-150 Hz.

Real-World Feel

Real-World Feel

Open-ear directional (most common in 2024-2025 smart glasses): good for phone calls, podcasts, and navigation prompts while maintaining awareness of traffic and conversation. Not suitable for noisy commutes or private listening in quiet offices — people nearby will hear your audio. Bone conduction: best for runners and cyclists who need maximum environmental awareness; worst for music enjoyment due to weak bass. In-ear sealed: best audio quality but feels redundant with smart glasses — users seeking sealed audio typically prefer dedicated earbuds.

Deep dive →

Video Resolution

video_resolution

Audio & CameraUsed by 53 products

Max video capture resolution and frame rate (e.g., "1080p@30fps").

The Critical View

Manufacturers frequently headline their highest resolution without noting the frame rate cap or stabilization penalty. A device advertised as "4K video" may only shoot 4K at 15-24 fps (choppy, unsuitable for action), while usable 30 fps is only available at 1080p. Electronic image stabilization (EIS) often forces a resolution downgrade or crop — the stabilized output may be 1080p even if the unstabilized max is 4K. Some devices also impose recording time limits at higher resolutions due to thermal throttling, making the headline spec impractical for real use.

How It's Measured

Stored as a text string combining resolution and frame rate, e.g., "1080p@30fps", "4K@30fps", "720p@60fps". There is no universal standard for this field; manufacturers variously report "1080p", "FHD", "1920x1080", or "2K". Normalize to the "{resolution}@{fps}fps" pattern. If multiple modes exist, store the highest practical mode (the best resolution that sustains at least 30 fps with stabilization on).

The privacy features that actually matter for social acceptability: (1) Visible recording LED — must be bright enough to see in daylight from 3+ meters. Meta Ray-Ban Meta's LED is visible but small; Snap Spectacles' spinning LED ring was more obvious. (2) Hardware camera disable — a physical shutter or switch, not a software toggle that could be overridden. (3) On-device processing for sensitive data — biometric data, health metrics, and conversation audio should never leave the device without explicit consent. For enterprise use: data residency, GDPR compliance, and IT admin controls are non-negotiable. The sad reality: most smart glasses treat privacy features as a checkbox exercise rather than a core design principle. Buyers who care about privacy should prioritize devices with hardware-level controls over software promises.

Deep dive →

Sensors

sensors

Interaction & AIUsed by 66 products

JSONB array of voice assistant names/brands. Includes both on-device integrations and passthrough/relay integrations without distinction in the data field. AURAI editorial notes indicate integration depth: "native" (dedicated on-device pipeline), "companion relay" (passes to phone), or "API" (cloud call with higher latency).

Real-World Feel

Target Personas

target_personas

Commerce & ContextUsed by 97 products

Intended user profiles (e.g., "The Executive," "The Creator," "The Athlete").

The Critical View

Target personas are derived from a combination of manufacturer marketing and AURAI editorial analysis. Manufacturers tend to claim their product is "for everyone," which is never true. A $2,000 spatial computing headset is not for casual consumers regardless of how the ad shows a grandmother using it. AURAI assigns personas based on the realistic intersection of the device's capabilities, price point, form factor, and ecosystem requirements. We distinguish between who the manufacturer wants to sell to (aspirational marketing) and who will actually benefit from the product (practical reality). A device with no display but excellent audio is tagged for "The Podcast Listener" and "The Hands-Free Professional," not "The AR Developer."

How It's Measured

Stored as a JSONB array of string labels from a controlled vocabulary. Personas are assigned editorially, not algorithmically, though we use spec profiles to suggest initial assignments. Each product typically receives 2-4 persona tags. We avoid overly broad personas ("tech enthusiast") in favor of specific use-case-driven profiles.

Real-World Feel

Use persona tags to quickly filter for devices that match your actual use case. If you are a cyclist who wants turn-by-turn navigation, filtering for "The Athlete" or "The Commuter" will surface relevant devices faster than reading through spec sheets. But remember that persona tags reflect our editorial judgment of the best fit — your specific needs may cross persona boundaries.

Use Cases

use_cases

Commerce & ContextUsed by 97 products

Primary usage scenarios (e.g., "Teleprompting," "Navigation," "Translation").

The Critical View

Use cases sit at the intersection of manufacturer intent and real-world capability. A product may be marketed for "Real-time Translation" but the translation feature requires a constant smartphone connection, a paid subscription, and only supports 5 languages — that is a very different "translation" device than one with onboard processing and 40 languages. AURAI assigns use cases based on what the product can credibly do today, not what the manufacturer roadmap promises. We are particularly skeptical of use cases that require software features not yet released or that depend on third-party app ecosystem development. If a use case requires asterisks and footnotes, we either do not list it or we add a qualifying note.

How It's Measured

Stored as a JSONB array of strings from a semi-controlled vocabulary. We distinguish between primary use cases (the product genuinely excels at this) and secondary use cases (it can technically do this but other products do it better). Only primary use cases are stored in this field. Editorial team validates use cases against hands-on testing, independent reviews, and user community feedback. Use cases are revisited when major firmware updates add or remove functionality.

Real-World Feel

If your purchase decision hinges on a specific use case ("I need this for cycling navigation"), check whether that use case appears in this array. If it does not, the product likely was not designed with that scenario in mind, even if it could theoretically work. Products with fewer, more focused use cases often execute better than "Swiss Army knife" devices that claim to do everything.

Announced Date

announced_date

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 6 products

Date product was first publicly announced (distinct from release_date)

Brand ID

brand_id

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Links this product to its manufacturer in the brands table.

Certifications

certifications

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Regulatory certifications array, e.

Computational Locus

computational_locus

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 88 products

Where the processing brain lives — on the glasses or somewhere else.

The Critical View

This is the single most important architectural decision a manufacturer makes, yet it is routinely buried or obscured. "Standalone" and "all-in-one" are used interchangeably by marketing teams even when the device offloads heavy compute to a phone. Qualcomm AR1/AR2-based glasses that require a paired smartphone are sometimes marketed as "standalone" because they have an onboard chip — but that chip only handles sensor fusion, not application logic. Apple Vision Pro is genuinely onboard; XREAL Air 2 is genuinely tethered. Meta Ray-Ban Stories occupy a grey zone: onboard for audio, paired smartphone for AI features. Always check what happens when the companion device is absent.

How It's Measured

No ISO standard. AURAI classifies into four tiers: (1) Onboard/Integrated — runs apps independently (e.g., Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3). (2) Dedicated Compute Unit — separate puck or belt pack (e.g., Magic Leap 2 Compute Pack). (3) Paired Smartphone — requires phone for app logic, glasses handle display/sensors (e.g., XREAL Air, RayNeo Air 2). (4) Tethered Host Device — wired to PC/console (e.g., Lenovo Legion Glasses). Some devices span multiple tiers depending on mode.

Real-World Feel

Onboard means true portability but shorter battery life (2-3 hrs typical) and more heat/weight on your face. Tethered gives better performance and battery endurance but kills mobility. Paired Smartphone is the current sweet spot for lightweight glasses but ties you to phone battery drain and Bluetooth latency. If you want to use glasses on a plane without pulling out a laptop, only Onboard devices qualify.

Deep dive →

Contrast Ratio

contrast_ratio

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 8 products

Display contrast ratio, e.

Fov Horizontal

fov_horizontal

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 2 products

Horizontal field of view in degrees

Fov Vertical

fov_vertical

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 2 products

Vertical field of view in degrees

Generation

generation

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 74 products

Numeric generation/version identifier (e.g., 1, 2, 3).

The Critical View

Generation numbering is straightforward in theory but manufacturers do not follow consistent rules. Some brands increment by 1 for each annual refresh (Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3). Others skip numbers for marketing impact (jumping from Gen 2 to Gen 5 to imply a larger leap). Some use decimal versions (1.5, 2.1) for mid-cycle refreshes, though AURAI stores only integer generations. The generation number appended to the product name (e.g., "ProductName (Gen 2)") helps distinguish products in the same family, but it is not a reliable indicator of how much the product has actually improved — a "Gen 3" might be a minor spec bump while a "Gen 2" from a competitor might be a ground-up redesign.

How It's Measured

Stored as a positive smallint. Null means the product is either the first (and only) generation or the manufacturer does not use generation numbering. The generation value feeds into the computed name column: when set, the display name becomes "Brand Model (Gen N)." We do not store sub-versions or decimal revisions.

Real-World Feel

A higher generation number within the same product line generally means newer hardware, but do not assume Gen 3 is three times better than Gen 1. Check the actual spec differences. Sometimes a brand's Gen 1 product from last year outperforms a competitor's Gen 3 if the competitor has been making incremental updates to a weaker base design.

Has Audio Jack

has_audio_jack

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Whether device has a 3.

Has Haptics

has_haptics

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Whether device has haptic feedback

ID

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Internal unique identifier for the product.

Ipd Max mm

ipd_max_mm

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 8 products

Maximum interpupillary distance in mm

Ipd Min mm

ipd_min_mm

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 8 products

Minimum interpupillary distance in mm

Lens Width mm

lens_width_mm

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 1 product

Lens width in millimeters (lens-specific dimension, distinct from overall product dimension_width_mm)

Looks Like Regular Glasses

looks_like_regular_glasses

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Does the device pass as normal eyewear to casual observers?

The Critical View

This is a subjective editorial judgment, and we own that openly. Manufacturers universally claim their products "look like regular glasses," but the bar varies wildly. Meta Ray-Ban Stories genuinely pass in most social situations. A device with a visible camera bump, LED ring, or temples twice the width of normal glasses does not pass, even if the marketing renders digitally slim down the temple thickness by 30%. AURAI evaluates this based on real-world product photography (not rendered marketing images) and physical hands-on assessment when available. We apply a "would a stranger on the subway notice?" test, not a "could this theoretically be mistaken for glasses in a dark room?" test.

How It's Measured

The full, combined name of the product (Brand + Model Name).

Ppd

ppd

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 2 products

Pixels per degree (average)

Price Segment

price_segment

Identity & Classification

General categorization of the product's target market based on price (Budget, Mainstream, Premium, Ultra-premium).

Slug

slug

Identity & ClassificationUsed by 97 products

Should be the maximum horizontal extent of the device as worn, temple-to-temple. For glasses: measured across the frame front at the hinge points. For headsets: measured across the widest point of the chassis. Units in millimeters. There is no universal agreement on whether to measure at the hinges, at the temple bows, or at the widest point of any protruding component (camera bump, hinge mechanism).

Real-World Feel

For glasses-form-factor: 130-138mm suits narrow faces, 138-148mm fits average faces, 148-155mm accommodates wider faces. If the frame width is more than 5mm narrower than your face width, expect temple pressure headaches. If more than 5mm wider, the glasses will feel loose and shift during head movement — catastrophic for display glasses that require precise optical alignment. For reference, most traditional adult eyewear frames are 135-145mm wide.