Smartphones News 18 January 2026 - 20 January 2026

January 20, 2026, 8:32 PM EST. XREAL has sued VITURE in the Eastern District of Texas, accusing the rival of importing AR glasses that infringe US patent US 11,988,839 B2 on a birdbath-style optical system. VITURE calls the move a patent-troll-style tactic and says the patent rests on long-established art. The company notes similar patents were rejected in China, and argues the claim covers only minor, appearance-level changes rather than true optical innovation. The dispute pits cheaper birdbath optics against higher-cost waveguides, such as Meta's Orion. In Germany, a preliminary injunction limited only the Viture Pro; VITURE has appealed and is challenging the patent's validity. The case is in early procedural stages in Texas with no trial date yet.