The sensible glasses market surged within the final 12 months, with Meta dominating

Sensible glasses would possibly nonetheless really feel like a distinct segment class of tech, however they appear to be promoting at a a lot sooner clip than they have been a 12 months in the past. World AI glasses shipments jumped 263% 12 months over 12 months within the first half of 2026, and the overwhelming majority weren’t AR specs.

Counterpoint Analysis’s newest Clever Eyewear Market Tracker attributes most of that development to the cheaper, extra mature display-less class, which incorporates merchandise such because the Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses. Shipments on this phase rose 258% 12 months over 12 months and 22% in contrast with the second half of 2025.

Meta presently has a vice-like grip on this a part of the market, accounting for 94% of display-less AI glasses shipments in H1 2026. Its personal volumes rose 260% 12 months over 12 months, helped by new Ray-Ban variants, growth into extra international locations, retail promotions, and cheaper Meta-branded glasses.

Glasses with an precise AR show are nonetheless a tiny slice of the general pie, however their shipments are rising even sooner than these of their display-less counterparts. Counterpoint says shipments of AR and AI glasses jumped 449% 12 months over 12 months, albeit from a small base. Rokid led this class with a 41% share, simply forward of Meta at 37%, whereas China accounted for 45% of shipments. Counterpoint attributes China’s early lead partly to its extra established element provide chain.

There could also be pretty apparent issues awaiting the trade because it grows. Counterpoint flags rising element prices and growing public concern about cameras and privateness as potential near-term headwinds. The previous has been a long-standing subject throughout most areas of tech, whereas the latter has been a topical concern as sensible glasses have turn into a little bit extra mainstream. Meta’s current battle with the recording indicator on its glasses is only one instance, together with a loophole that allowed customers to cowl the LED after recording had already began.

Counterpoint doesn’t anticipate these points to derail the broader development of AI glasses, and it predicts we’ll see extra kind components designed to sidestep the digicam drawback altogether. That features camera-free AI audio glasses, which can already be on Meta’s radar — A report final week suggests the corporate is contemplating a pair constructed round microphones and AI relatively than a digicam.