This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Disclosure: Blackview provided the BV200 for this review.
Quick take
The Blackview BV200 is a pair of AI smart glasses with a 4K camera, speakers and AI image recognition for about ¥20,000, when many smart glasses cost two to three times that. Don’t expect much from the video quality or the AI. Treat it as a hands-free recording camera that lets you capture photos and video without pulling out your phone, and it turns out to be a genuinely fun gadget.
What I tested
- Blackview BV200 with photochromic lenses (a sunglasses version is also available): ¥19,999 on Amazon Japan at the time of recording
- Paired with my iPhone through the companion app to take and transfer photos and video
- Weighed it against the regular glasses and sunglasses I own
- Tried the AI image recognition, the speakers and voice recording at home
What I found
- In the box: a manual, a cleaning cloth, a charging cable, and the glasses in a regular glasses case. It feels much more like eyewear than a gadget. It plays a little chime when you put it on.
- The top of the frame is fairly chunky and the camera is easy to spot. That is arguably a good thing, since people around you can tell there is a camera. I think the sunglasses version would look more natural; this one passes as bold, statement frames.
- It weighs 44.3 g on my scale. My own glasses and sunglasses weigh 16.9–25.4 g, so it is roughly twice as heavy, but far less of a commitment than a VR headset. I never felt it was heavy while wearing it.
- The temple has two buttons and a touchpad. The top button powers it on; a long press calls up the AI. The bottom button takes a photo, and a long press starts video. A light next to the camera glows while recording.
- The touchpad is responsive, but at first I kept accidentally starting playback whenever I touched it. Once you learn the gestures, it is quite handy.
- Photos were better than I expected. In reasonably bright light they look decent. Transferring them to the phone takes a little while.
- Video is the weak point. Turn your head or walk and you get a jello-like rolling-shutter wobble. Standing still it is fine, but for vlogs it looks a bit toy-like.
- I asked the AI to describe my room. It recognised that there was video production gear, but it said I had six guitars on the wall when there were five. It is mostly right with small mistakes, and there is a noticeable lag.
- The speakers sound like an old radio. Fine for hearing video audio, not for enjoying music, and they leak sound, so the person next to you on a train would hear it. Recording quality is not good either.
Who it’s for
If you want to try smart glasses but can’t justify ¥50,000–60,000, the BV200 is a fun entry point. It shines as an eye-level recorder rather than a creative camera: for example, filming yourself taking apart an appliance so you can replay the steps when putting it back together. The footage is clear enough for that. If you want vlog-quality video or reliable AI answers, this is not it.
The video is in Japanese.
Limitations
Blackview supplied the glasses. I only tested the photochromic-lens model, and the photochromic lenses fog up quite easily, so unless you specifically want blue-light filtering they add little. I used it with an iPhone only. The price is the Amazon Japan price at the time of recording.
Products
Blackview BV200 AI smart glasses: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
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This review is also available in Japanese.