Do smart glasses need a phone only for setup?
Often the phone continues to do useful work after pairing: running the companion app, connecting accounts or providing internet. Some local functions can remain available without it. The requirement belongs to the feature, not just the setup wizard.
Pocket use and phone-free use are different
Separate three examples. Ray-Ban Meta supports local capture after setup; phone-supplied audio still needs its connection. A wearable monitor can instead depend on a video source. E1O's published workflow uses its phone app to connect services and manage the experience. These are different dependency patterns, even though all involve glasses.
A useful purchase question names the task: "Can I receive a new calendar update with the phone at home?" That is much more precise than asking whether setup is finished. The answer should identify the source of new information and the connection that brings it to the frame.