ZDNET’s comprehensive analysis of the Solos AirGo A5 smart glasses highlights several essential takeaways that define this latest entry into the evolving world of wearable technology. Priced starting at $249, the AirGo A5 is already available for consumers seeking a refined yet focused smart eyewear experience. Rather than incorporating integrated cameras—a common feature among competing models—these glasses emphasize an alternative design philosophy that prioritizes discretion, lightness, and endurance. Their unique capabilities revolve around the inclusion of a ChatGPT-powered AI assistant and built-in open-ear speakers, providing intelligent interaction and hands-free functionality without the visual intrusion or privacy concerns cameras sometimes bring. Nevertheless, while their technology offers appealing convenience, the audio performance is somewhat underwhelming compared to higher-end audio devices, leaving users with an impression that the sound quality does not fully reach the premium expectations one might associate with the price bracket.
In recent years, smart glasses have rapidly transitioned from conceptual novelty to mainstream technology, driven by their capacity to seamlessly merge entertainment, productivity, and connectivity. Products like the Meta Ray-Ban glasses have popularized the integration of high-definition cameras, voice assistants, and vivid audio delivery within sleek form factors suitable for everyday use. Against this backdrop, the Solos AirGo A5 intentionally diverges from that trend. By sacrificing the camera functionality, Solos directs its focus toward achieving a more unobtrusive aesthetic, catering to individuals who value lightweight comfort and minimalist design over audiovisual recording capabilities. Released in October 2025, the A5 represents Solos’ effort to position the model as an ergonomic, battery-efficient, and stylish solution that enables continuous AI-driven assistance throughout the day.
Targeted at users less interested in content creation and more in productivity or personal assistance, the AirGo A5 appeals especially to technology enthusiasts fascinated by artificial intelligence applications. While its pricing begins at $249—making it a tangible investment—the cost aligns with the intent to deliver strong performance without excess bulk. Real-world testing was therefore essential to evaluate whether the glasses justify their value and long-lasting battery claims.
Among the AirGo A5’s standout attributes is its impressive power management. The manufacturer advertises up to ten hours of continuous music playback or roughly seven hours of uninterrupted phone conversation, which theoretically would sustain operation for an entire day of moderate usage. However, practical use suggests a more nuanced picture: few users are likely to listen to music or attend calls without pause for that duration. Personal experience revealed that when alternating between music playback, virtual meetings, and general connectivity, the battery comfortably extended into two full days before requiring a recharge. The observed consumption rate—only about a 30% drop over a full day of moderate usage—supports Solos’ own claim that the AirGo A5 can maintain two days of standby operation when paired with a smartphone.
Despite its endurance, the AirGo A5’s audio fidelity reflects inherent limitations of its open-ear design. These speakers do not seal the ear canal and therefore lack active noise cancellation, meaning ambient sounds easily coexist with playback. This arrangement, while beneficial for maintaining awareness in public or office environments, inevitably diminishes low-frequency depth and rich tonal balance. For users who value convenience and situational awareness—those who prefer to keep their ears free rather than fully immersed in music—the trade-off remains acceptable. Yet, pushing the volume to its upper thresholds introduces a distinct tinny resonance, accompanied by noticeable sound leakage, potentially audible to nearby individuals. When evaluating call quality, the built-in microphone provides functional clarity sufficient for short communications or voice recordings, though the resulting sound is noticeably compressed and less refined than that of premium alternatives such as the Meta Ray-Ban collection, known for its superior capture quality.
From a practical standpoint, the AirGo A5’s strengths are best realized in professional or office settings where ambient awareness is preferable. They enable employees to remain attentive to colleagues or environmental cues while passively consuming audio or conversing through calls, eliminating the need for additional wearables like earbuds. Furthermore, the absence of camera components contributes to an extraordinary lightness that enhances long-term wearing comfort. Colleagues often scarcely recognize that the glasses are technologically enhanced until the fact is mentioned, an advantage for anyone desiring discreet smart functionality.
Comfort extends beyond mere weight reduction. The adjustable end tips—which initially appear rigid and elongated—can be bent to mimic the curvature of conventional eyewear arms. This flexibility allows users to customize the fit for greater security and balance, ensuring that daily wear remains natural and fatigue-free. Additionally, Solos introduces modularity through replaceable temple arms: users may detach and exchange them with alternative versions, including those equipped with integrated cameras. This particular innovation enhances versatility, allowing travelers or professionals to adapt their glasses for different contexts without carrying multiple pairs. The model is also available in varying colors and materials, such as the elegantly engineered titanium frame, retailing at $349, offering both aesthetic and structural refinement.
However, not every design decision achieves flawless execution. A critique arises regarding the LED notification light—responsible for signaling incoming calls, assistant activation, and other alerts. Its luminosity and frontal placement make it conspicuous to both the wearer and onlookers, occasionally drawing unintended attention. During a video call, the reviewer even noted visible confusion from the conversational partner as the LED began to flash. While Solos provides an option to reposition the light from the temple to the SmartHinge area, the reviewer expressed a preference for an additional setting to disable it entirely for better discretion.
Regarding artificial intelligence integration, the Solos AirGo A5 leverages ChatGPT’s sophisticated voice-based assistant capabilities. Yet, the reviewer discovered limited everyday reliance on the assistant. The reason was not the assistant’s accuracy or responsiveness but rather the sporadic need for spontaneous voice queries like checking weather forecasts, solving arithmetic tasks, or soliciting recipe ideas. Activation also presented challenges: in noisier surroundings, the wake phrase sometimes required repetition before the system successfully acknowledged it. While these minor inconveniences illustrate the current boundaries of hands-free AI in wearable devices, the inclusion of ChatGPT nonetheless signals a platform with significant potential for context-aware, conversational interaction.
In contrast, another AI-driven utility—the SolosCoach—proved more engaging. This health-oriented feature showcases how integrated sensors and algorithms can encourage physical wellness by tracking user posture, prompting movement or stretching breaks, and counting steps, effectively blending light fitness monitoring into the eyewear experience. Although similar functionalities are accessible through smartphones or dedicated fitness devices, their unobtrusive integration into eyewear demonstrates a compelling future direction for wearable optimization.
Ultimately, ZDNET advises prospective buyers to clearly define their priorities. Those valuing comfort, featherweight construction, and exceptional battery endurance will find the Solos AirGo A5 a rewarding choice. Its pricing remains competitive, even slightly below that of comparable audio-only smart glasses such as Amazon’s Echo Frames, which retail around $269. Conversely, users whose expectations center on pristine audio experiences or more advanced AI responsiveness might consider investing in the Even Realities G2—an alternative offering superior sound performance without video capture. For individuals desiring the full package, including camera integration suitable for creative endeavors, the Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 continues to reign as the category’s benchmark. In summary, the Solos AirGo A5 stands out not by overloading new features, but by thoughtfully refining essentials, championing endurance, discretion, and comfort as the cornerstones of a new kind of intelligent wearable.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/solos-airgo-a5-ai-smart-glasses-review/
