Why a smart glasses program needs a fixed sequence
A smart glasses unit is assembled from three supply chains that rarely sit in one building: temple electronics from Shenzhen's Bao'an and Nanshan districts and nearby Dongguan, frames from the Henggang cluster in Shenzhen or from Ouhai in Wenzhou, and lenses from Danyang or Xiamen. Local reporting puts around 1,200 eyewear businesses in Henggang alone, which is a deep pool but also a lot of choice to narrow. When the parts come from different cities, the program needs one sequence and one set of documents, or the frame fit, the lens specification and the board revision drift apart between samples and batch. The sequence below is the one the desk runs on every program; the background on the clusters is in sourcing smart glasses from China and on industry clusters.
The nine steps
- Brief. Target market and channel, line and frame style, lens type, route (catalog, logo or full custom), quantity per model, certification needs and target arrival date. Output: a one-page brief agreed by both sides.
- Shortlist. The desk matches two or three partner plants with models or capabilities close to the brief and checks their documents and recent audit status. Output: a shortlist with the reasons for each plant.
- Samples. Catalog samples in about 5-10 working days, logo samples in 10-15 working days, ODM engineering samples in 30-60 days including tooling. Output: samples with a comparison sheet.
- Golden sample and spec sheet. The chosen sample is sealed as the golden sample, and the spec sheet lists the six temple modules, colours, lens references, firmware version, packaging and the test plan. Output: signed spec sheet and golden sample record.
- Certification. Radio, EMC, safety, RF exposure, battery and lens tests per market, run by test labs on final samples; custom programs typically allow 3-6 weeks of lab time. Output: test reports verified per project.
- Batch production. Typically 20-35 days for catalog and logo programs and 45-75 days for full custom, with in-line checks on temple assembly and hinge flex routing. Output: production status updates against milestones.
- Pre-shipment inspection. Sampling inspection against the golden sample and spec sheet: appearance, fit, pairing, audio, charging, runtime spot checks, labels and packaging. Output: inspection report with photos.
- Logistics. Booking by courier, air or sea, with the UN 38.3 summary, battery declaration under UN3481 and the commercial documents. Output: shipping documents and tracking.
- After-sales and reorder. Return reasons logged, spare parts planned, firmware updates tracked and the spec sheet reused for the next order. Output: a reorder file that starts at step 4, not step 1.
What you receive at each gate
| Gate | Document | Who approves |
|---|---|---|
| After shortlist | Shortlist with plant notes and document check | Buyer |
| After samples | Sample comparison sheet | Buyer |
| Before batch | Signed spec sheet, golden sample record, test plan | Buyer and partner plant |
| Before shipment | Pre-shipment inspection report | Buyer releases the shipment |
| At booking | UN 38.3 summary, packing list, invoice, battery declaration | Forwarder confirms acceptance |
The signed spec sheet is the reference for everything that follows: inspection checks against it, reorders reuse it, and any change to it is recorded as a new revision. How to read one is covered in how to read a smart glasses spec sheet.
Inspection before the goods leave
Pre-shipment inspection on smart glasses goes beyond appearance. Inspectors pair each sampled unit, play audio on both temples, make a test call, check charging contacts and indicator lights, open and close the hinge to confirm the flex cable is routed correctly, and check the box contents, labels and barcodes against the approved artwork. Sampling levels and acceptance criteria are stated in the order. The full checklist is on testing and inspection.
After-sales and reorders
The first batch is where a range proves itself. The desk asks brands to share return reasons by category - fit, pairing, charging, sound, breakage - so that the next order can address them on the spec sheet rather than in a new search for suppliers. Spare fronts, charging cables and nose pads are planned with the batch. A reorder on an unchanged spec sheet typically follows the batch lead time of its route. To start a program, send your brief through the quote form.