Global AI glasses shipments surge 263% year-on-year in H1 2026, Meta holds 94% share
Global AI glasses shipments surged 263% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, driven by affordable display-less models that accounted for 96% of the market, according to Counterpoint Research. Meta captured approximately 94% of global shipments, while the AR&AI segment grew 449% year-on-year, led by Chinese OEMs. Separately, Omdia reported 4.2 million units shipped, a 127% increase, with Meta at 81.3% share. Amazon announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI glasses to delivery drivers this year.
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Global AI Glasses Shipments Surge 263% Year-on-Year in First Half of 2026
According to Counterpoint Research's global smart glasses market tracker, worldwide shipments of AI glasses (including display-less AI glasses and AR&AI glasses) grew 263% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Affordable and lightweight display-less AI glasses dominated, accounting for 96% of total shipments, with shipments rising 258% year-on-year. Meta, driven by new product variants and expansion into Asia-Pacific, solidified its lead with approximately 94% of the global market share, according to Counterpoint Research Vice President Peter Richardson. The AR&AI glasses segment, though still small, grew 449% year-on-year, with Chinese OEMs like Rokid, Even Realities, Alibaba, and INMO being particularly active in commercialization.
Read sourceGlobal AI Glasses Shipments Surge 263% in H1 2026, Display-Less Models Dominate at 96%
According to Counterpoint Research's global smart glasses market tracker, worldwide AI glasses shipments (including both display-less AI glasses and AR&AI glasses) grew 263% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Affordable and lightweight display-less AI glasses dominated the market, accounting for 96% of total shipments, while AR&AI glasses remain a niche segment due to higher costs and lower technological maturity. Meta maintained its dominant position, capturing approximately 94% of global shipments in H1 2026, driven by new product variants, expansion into Asia-Pacific markets, and extensive retail promotions. The AR&AI glasses segment, though small, grew 449% year-on-year, with Chinese OEMs like Rokid, Even Realities, and Alibaba being more active in commercialization. Counterpoint analysts note that the market is currently more supply-driven than demand-driven, and that China has built a mature AR glasses ecosystem. The report also highlights emerging challenges including rising semiconductor component prices and growing public privacy concerns regarding cameras, which may introduce short-term uncertainty. Looking ahead, the market is expected to enter a new phase driven by agentic AI glasses offering proactive, context-aware interactions, and may see more diverse product forms such as camera-less audio glasses.
Read sourceGlobal AI Glasses Shipments Surge 263% in H1 2024; Chinese Firms Lead AR Segment with 45% Share
According to Counterpoint Research data released on September 24, global shipments of AI glasses surged 263% year-over-year in the first half of 2024. Display-less AI glasses accounted for 96% of total shipments, growing 258% year-over-year, driven by Meta's expanded product lineup with EssilorLuxottica, entry into new Asia-Pacific markets, and global retail promotions. Meta commanded 94% of this segment. AR & AI glasses shipments grew 449% year-over-year from a small base. Chinese firms Rokid, Even Realities, and Alibaba are active in this segment's commercialization, with China accounting for 45% of shipments and North America 41%. By OEM share, Rokid led at 41%, followed by Meta at 37%, Even Realities at 11%, and Alibaba at 7%. The report notes that rising component costs and privacy concerns over camera-equipped glasses are short-term challenges but are not expected to alter the overall growth and innovation trajectory. Future growth is forecast to be driven by agentic AI glasses, with more diverse form factors including camera-less AI audio glasses and glasses using cameras primarily for contextual understanding rather than recording.
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Meta Unveils Lightweight VR Glasses at Connect 2026, Key A-Share Concept Stocks Listed
At Meta Connect 2026 on September 23, Meta announced the Meta VR Glasses, a lightweight headset weighing approximately 100 grams. The device features a 5K Infinite Display micro-OLED screen, Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Reality Elite processor, and integrates a Meta AI agent into the operating system, supporting voice, eye-tracking, and natural gesture controls. It is the first VR device to receive IMAX Enhanced certification, enabling 3D movies and immersive sports streaming, with a battery life of up to 3 hours for high-resolution media. Priced at $1,299.99, it is scheduled for a spring 2027 launch. The article highlights Meta's leading position in the smart glasses market, with 84% market share in the first half of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. TrendForce forecasts 2026 global AR glasses shipments will reach 95,000 units, growing 53% year-over-year, and projects 32.11 million units by 2030. The report also notes that Meta has significantly increased orders for key components like Lumus array waveguides, reflecting strong demand.
Global AI Glasses Shipments Surge 263% in H1 2026, Meta Holds 94% Share: Counterpoint
According to Counterpoint Research's global smart glasses market tracker, worldwide AI glasses shipments (including both display-less AI glasses and AR&AI glasses) grew 263% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Display-less AI glasses, which are affordable and lightweight, dominated with 96% of total shipments, driven primarily by Meta and EssilorLuxottica's expanding business. Meta alone accounted for approximately 94% of global shipments in H1 2026, with its shipments up 260% YoY and 22% sequentially, fueled by new product variants, expansion into Asia-Pacific markets, and global retail promotions. The AR&AI glasses segment, though still small, grew 449% YoY, with Chinese OEMs like Rokid, Even Realities, Alibaba, and INMO leading commercialization. Counterpoint analysts noted that the market is currently more supply-driven than demand-driven, and that China has a mature AR ecosystem. Challenges include rising semiconductor and memory prices, as well as growing public concern over privacy and camera issues. The report forecasts continued rapid growth, driven by major tech firms and the emergence of agentic AI glasses with proactive, context-aware capabilities. It also predicts more diverse product forms, including camera-less AI audio glasses, to address privacy concerns.
Read sourceOmdia: Global AI Glasses Shipments Hit 4.2M in H1 2026; Meta Leads, Even Realities Second; Amazon Deploys 5,000 Units
According to Omdia, global AI glasses shipments reached 4.2 million units in the first half of 2026, up 127% year-on-year. Meta held an 81.3% market share with 3.4 million units shipped. Even Realities (G2 series) rose to second place with 102,000 units (2.4% share), followed by Alibaba at 2.1%. In China, shipments surged 306% year-on-year, with Alibaba, Yingmu, and Xiaomi collectively holding 46.1% of the domestic market. Omdia analysts noted the market remains fragmented and that no single product fits all users. Separately, Amazon announced it will deploy approximately 5,000 AI glasses to delivery drivers this year, with a target of over 20,000 units by the end of 2027. The glasses integrate AI, computer vision, and cameras to display package information, provide navigation, warn of pet risks, and capture delivery proof. Amazon completed a pilot with over 500 drivers and 275,000 deliveries. Additionally, Liangliang Vision launched a hearing-assistance solution in partnership with Tencent Cloud and Honor, offering real-time speech-to-text transcription on glasses, with subsidies of up to 800 yuan per user.
Read sourceOmdia: Meta Leads 2026 H1 AI Glasses Market; Amazon Deploys 5000 Units to Drivers
Research firm Omdia reported that global AI glasses shipments reached 4.2 million units in the first half of 2026, up 127% year-on-year, with Meta holding an 81.3% market share. Even Realities ranked second with 2.4% share, and Alibaba third with 2.1%. In China, shipments surged 306% year-on-year, with Alibaba, Yingmu, and Xiaomi collectively holding 46.1% of the domestic market. Omdia analysts noted that the market remains fragmented and that no single product configuration suits all users. Separately, Amazon announced it will deploy approximately 5,000 AI glasses to delivery drivers this year, with a target of over 20,000 units by the end of 2027, following a pilot involving over 500 drivers completing 275,000 deliveries. The glasses integrate AI, computer vision, and cameras to display package information and provide navigation. Additionally, Bright Eyesight (LLVISION) launched a hearing aid solution in partnership with Tencent Cloud and Honor, converting speech to text in real time on glasses, with subsidies of up to 800 yuan per user.
Read sourceOmdia: Global AI Glasses Shipments Surge 127% YoY to 4.2 Million in H1 2026
According to Omdia's latest data, global AI glasses shipments reached 4.2 million units in the first half of 2026, a 127% year-on-year increase. The market remains in an early growth phase, with expansion stabilizing from a low base. Meta maintained a dominant 81.3% market share with 3.4 million units shipped. Even Realities rose to second place with 102,000 units (2.4% share), driven by its G2 series in North America and Western Europe, adopting a camera- and speaker-free design focused on thin frames, a small monochrome display, and productivity features like real-time transcription. The Chinese mainland market saw a 306% shipment surge, with top players Alibaba, INMO, and Xiaomi holding a combined 46.1% share, indicating high fragmentation. Omdia analysts noted that no single solution fits all users, and differentiation in form factors and features will become a global trend. Privacy concerns over camera-equipped glasses are intensifying, requiring clearer data collection and usage disclosures.
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