HTC Shifts Focus to AI Eyewear with New VIVE Eagle Round-Frame Model, Puts Smartphone Business on Back Burner

On September 3, HTC announced in Taipei the launch of a new round-frame variant for its AI-powered smart glasses, the VIVE Eagle, alongside upgraded software features. The refreshed device will now be available across Europe, North America, and Australia, marking a decisive pivot in the company’s corporate strategy toward artificial intelligence and extended reality (XR).

Charles Huang, HTC’s Senior Vice President, stated that the smartphone industry has reached a point where breakthrough innovation is no longer feasible. He confirmed that the U24 Pro will conclude its product lifecycle by the end of this year, effectively sidelining the mobile phone division. While HTC hasn’t completely shut the door on its handset business, Huang emphasized that current resources are being channeled preferentially into AI-driven eyewear development.

The VIVE Eagle, first introduced in 2025, has already proven its commercial viability—by 2026, its revenue had surpassed that of HTC’s entire smartphone lineup. This financial milestone has reinforced the company’s determination to double down on next-generation wearable technology.

Industry analysts view this move as a natural evolution for HTC, which once dominated the early Android smartphone market but has faced intense competition from Apple, Samsung, and Chinese manufacturers in recent years. By reorienting its portfolio around AI and XR, HTC aims to carve out a niche in the emerging smart-glasses segment, where it believes user experience innovations remain untapped.

The upgraded VIVE Eagle now features enhanced on-device AI processing, improved voice command responsiveness, and a lighter frame design for prolonged wear. The round-frame aesthetic is intended to appeal to fashion-conscious consumers who might otherwise shy away from bulky tech accessories.

HTC’s announcement comes amid a broader industry trend where major tech players are racing to integrate generative AI into portable form factors. With the VIVE Eagle now shipping to additional global markets, HTC is positioning itself as a serious contender in the post-smartphone era, betting that the fusion of seamless AI assistance with everyday eyewear will define the next computing platform.