AI-powered smart glasses boom drives global market growth in 2026

Global sales of AI-equipped glasses soared by 263% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, according to research firm Counterpoint Research. The simplest segment, which doesn’t include a screen, now accounts for 96% of all units sold, with Meta dominating almost the entire market.

Meta nearly monopolizes the screenless market

Meta accounted for 94% of global shipments of AI glasses without a display, with a 260% increase in volume compared to 2025. Products such as Ray‑Ban Meta AI and Xiaomi’s smart glasses fueled growth, which reached 258% for the year and 22% compared to the previous half-year. The expansion was driven by portfolio expansion from Meta and EssilorLuxottica, entry into new markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and increased presence in global retail.

The company is preparing to launch the next generation, called Meta Luna, which will eliminate built-in cameras—a direct response to privacy concerns surrounding the current line.

Augmented reality advances with strong Chinese presence

Although augmented reality (AR) glasses combined with AI still represent a smaller market share, they grew by 449% year-over-year. In this niche, Chinese manufacturers such as Rokid, Even Realities, and Alibaba lead, supported by a mature local supply chain. China accounts for 45% of shipments of these devices, ahead of North America, which holds 41%.

Challenges: component costs and privacy concerns

Two obstacles threaten the pace of expansion. The first is the rise in semiconductor prices, especially memory, due to a global shortage that is already affecting mobile phones and computers. The second is growing privacy concerns, as many models have cameras capable of recording the environment without explicit warning.

Counterpoint predicts that the industry will respond with alternative formats: AI-powered audio glasses without a camera and models where the recording lens is used only for contextual understanding of the environment, rather than capturing images.

Next steps: more contextual and proactive glasses

The next phase is expected to bring devices that anticipate user needs by integrating software agents, dedicated operating systems, voice interaction, and ultra-low-power sensors. The expectation is that the combination of AI, voice, and new sensors will make glasses more useful and less intrusive.

Meanwhile, the market continues to fragment outside of Meta, with companies like Alibaba and Huawei already offering their own products. The diversity of approaches could help balance current dominance and accelerate innovation in a sector that is still in its early years.