Meta Leads Market Surge
Global AI Glasses Shipments Surge 263% as Meta Dominates the Market
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Key Points
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Omdia analyst Qiran Ju said Meta’s momentum and new Chinese entrants drove first-half growth, while hands-free photo and video capture, open-ear audio and AI assistance made the products’ value immediately clear to buyers.
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Even Realities rose from fifth place in the second half of 2025 to second place in Omdia’s first-half 2026 ranking, shipping 102,000 units. Its G2 glasses use a slimmer design without cameras or speakers, instead emphasizing a small monochrome display and productivity features such as real-time transcription.
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China’s AI-glasses shipments increased 306% year over year in the first half of 2026, with local vendors testing varied combinations of displays, cameras and audio hardware; Omdia described the market as highly fragmented despite China’s role as a major supply-chain hub.
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EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri said the companies sold more than 7 million AI glasses in 2025 and were on track to reach 10 million in annual sales by the end of 2026.
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Counterpoint attributed Meta’s display-less growth not only to broader distribution and promotions but also to new Ray-Ban Meta models, more affordable Meta Glasses and expansion into additional markets; outside Meta, the segment remained fragmented, with Chinese companies including Huawei adding new products.
Global AI glasses shipments exploded 263% year over year in the first half of 2026, driven by cheaper display-less models with cameras and voice assistants Counterpoint Research. Omdia counted 4.2 million units shipped, with Meta commanding an 81.3% overall share. The surge signals the AI glasses market has reached a tipping point where practical features and lower prices are finally converting everyday consumers.
Display-less glasses dominated with 96% of all units shipped Counterpoint Research, while fancier AR glasses with screens grew 449% but remained expensive and niche. Privacy concerns about cameras, high component costs, and questions about real-world usefulness still block wider adoption. Yet China is emerging as a testing ground where dozens of companies compete with different designs.
Meta's Grip on Display-Less Glasses Tightens
Meta dominated the display-less segment with a 94% share Counterpoint Research, shipping roughly 260% more units than a year earlier. Ray-Ban Meta glasses drove much of the growth through broader distribution, new lower-cost models, and expansion into fresh markets Counterpoint Research. Xiaomi and Alibaba each held about 1% of display-less shipments, showing how completely Meta controls this category.
Expensive AR Glasses Find Their Audience
Display-equipped AR glasses grew 449% in the first half of 2026, a much faster rate than display-less models Android Headlines. Rokid led this premium segment with 41% of shipments, followed by Meta at 37%. These glasses cost far more and appeal to professionals and early adopters willing to pay for on-screen information and augmented reality features.
Even Realities Climbs as Design Variation Spreads
Even Realities jumped from fifth place in late 2025 to second place in Omdia's first-half ranking, shipping 102,000 units BigGo Finance. Its G2 glasses skip cameras and speakers but emphasize a tiny monochrome display and hands-free productivity tools like real-time transcription BigGo Finance. The rise shows consumers want different features beyond just cameras and audio.
China's Fragmented Market Tests Every Possible Design
China's AI glasses shipments jumped 306% year over year in the first half of 2026 BigGo Finance, with local vendors mixing and matching displays, cameras, and audio in varied combinations BigGo Finance. Huawei and other Chinese companies launched new products as the country became a testing ground for competing approaches. Yet Omdia called the market "highly fragmented" despite China's role as a major supply-chain hub.
Google, Apple, and Samsung Prepare to Challenge Meta
Google, Samsung, and Apple are developing AI glasses that could threaten Meta's dominance Mac Observer. EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri said the partnership sold over 7 million AI glasses in 2025 and expected to hit 10 million annual sales by the end of 2026. Apple's rumored entry alone suggests the market is now big enough to attract major tech giants.
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