In the first half of the year, global smart glasses shipments increased by 110%, with Meta accounting for over 70% of the market share

Driven by strong artificial intelligence capabilities, the global smart glasses market is experiencing explosive growth. Meta, with its collaboration products with Ray-Ban, holds an absolute dominant position, while new players like Xiaomi are also adding new vitality to the market.

According to the latest data released by research firm Counterpoint, in the first half of 2025, global smart glasses shipments are expected to grow by as much as 110% year-on-year. This sharp increase is primarily driven by strong demand for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and the entry of new brands like Xiaomi and TCL-RayNeo.

During this period, Meta's market share climbed to 73%, consolidating its leadership in this emerging field. The report noted that the enhanced manufacturing capabilities of its key production partner Luxottica are a core factor in meeting the strong market demand. Meanwhile, smart glasses with AI features have become mainstream, with their shipment share soaring from 46% in the same period last year to 78%.

The market growth momentum is expected to continue in the second half of the year. Counterpoint has raised its forecasts for the smart glasses market in 2025 and 2026, and expects the market's compound annual growth rate to exceed 60% from 2024 to 2029. Analysts believe that tech giants, including Meta and Alibaba, are expected to launch more new products, further driving market expansion.

Meta's Absolute Dominance

In the first half of 2025, despite the continuous introduction of new products to the market, Meta's industry dominance remains unshaken. Data shows that shipments of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses increased by over 200% year-on-year during this period.

Counterpoint senior research analyst Flora Tang pointed out that Meta's success is largely attributed to its deep collaboration with Luxottica. Luxottica not only expanded production capacity but also provided strong support for product sales through its extensive retail network, including online and offline Ray-Ban stores, Sunglass Hut, and LensCrafters. These channels account for a significant portion of the product's sales.

Additionally, Meta is continuously expanding its product line. The company recently launched Oakley Meta glasses, which have improved battery life and video quality, primarily targeting athletes and sports enthusiasts, and have received positive market feedback.

The integration of AI features is reshaping the landscape of the smart glasses market. In the first half of 2025, the AI glasses segment experienced a year-on-year growth of over 250%, far exceeding the overall market growth rate. The advanced features offered by these devices, such as photo and video capture, image recognition, real-time translation, and Q&A, are attracting an increasing number of consumers.

AI Features Define the Market, New Players Enter

In the fierce competition, some new players have stood out. According to the Counterpoint report, Xiaomi's AI glasses have become a "dark horse" in the market, despite only being sold for about a week in the first half of 2025, its overall sales have ranked fourth globally and third in the AI glasses category Flora Tang stated that the strong sales of Xiaomi devices benefit from the robust support of Chinese tech enthusiasts and "Mi Fans."

Looking ahead, the growth momentum in the smart glasses market remains strong. In addition to companies like Meta and Alibaba expected to launch new products in the second half of the year, the supply chain is also maturing. Chip giant Qualcomm recently launched an upgraded AR 1+ Gen 1 chip, which has reduced its size by 26% and power consumption by 7%, helping to create thinner glasses with longer battery life. Meanwhile, Chinese chip design companies like Allwinner Technology are also entering the market, providing more cost-effective solutions.

At the application level, in addition to existing features, companies like Xiaomi and Alibaba are actively exploring glasses-based payment solutions aimed at reducing users' reliance on smartphones in shopping scenarios. A report from Counterpoint also mentioned that Apple is actively exploring this field and developing its first AI glasses.

Analysts say that the current global tariff crisis on electronic devices has a limited impact on the smart glasses market. As the market continues to expand, the entire ecosystem from hardware manufacturers, chip suppliers to traditional eyewear channels is expected to benefit