Driven by robust artificial intelligence capabilities, the global smart glasses market is experiencing explosive growth, with Meta Platforms dominating through its Ray-Ban collaboration while new entrants like Xiaomi are injecting fresh momentum into the sector.

According to the latest data from research firm Counterpoint, global smart glasses shipments increased by 110% year-over-year in the first half of 2025. This dramatic growth was primarily fueled by strong demand for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and the entry of new brands including Xiaomi and TCL-RayNeo.

During this period, Meta Platforms' market share climbed to 73%, solidifying its leadership position in this emerging field. The report highlighted that improved manufacturing capabilities from key production partner Luxottica were crucial in meeting robust market demand. Meanwhile, AI-enabled smart glasses have become the market mainstream, with their shipment share surging from 46% in the same period last year to 78%.

Market growth momentum is expected to continue in the second half. Counterpoint has raised its forecasts for the smart glasses market in 2025 and 2026, projecting a compound annual growth rate exceeding 60% from 2024 to 2029. Analysts believe that technology giants including Meta Platforms and Alibaba are expected to launch additional new products, further driving market expansion.

Meta Platforms' Absolute Dominance

In the first half of 2025, despite continuous new product entries, Meta Platforms' industry dominance remained unshaken. Data shows that Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses shipments increased by over 200% year-over-year during this period.

Counterpoint Senior Research Analyst Flora Tang noted that Meta Platforms' success largely stems from its deep collaboration with Luxottica. Luxottica not only expanded production capacity but also provided strong sales support 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 volume.

Additionally, Meta Platforms continues expanding its product lineup. The company recently launched Oakley Meta glasses, which feature improved battery life and video recording quality, primarily targeting athletes and sports enthusiasts, and has received positive market feedback.

AI integration is reshaping the smart glasses market landscape. In the first half of 2025, the AI glasses segment grew over 250% year-over-year, far exceeding overall market growth. These devices offer advanced features including photo and video capture, image recognition, real-time translation, and Q&A capabilities, attracting an increasing number of consumers.

AI Features Define Market as New Players Enter

Amid intense competition, some new players have shown impressive performance. According to the Counterpoint report, Xiaomi's AI glasses emerged as a market "dark horse." Despite selling for only about one week in the first half of 2025, its overall sales ranked fourth globally and third in the AI glasses category. Flora Tang indicated that Xiaomi's strong sales benefited from robust support from Chinese technology enthusiasts and "Mi fans."

Looking ahead, growth drivers for the smart glasses market remain strong. Beyond expected new product releases from companies like Meta Platforms and Alibaba in the second half, the supply chain continues maturing. Chip giant Qualcomm recently launched an upgraded AR 1+ Gen 1 chip that is 26% smaller and consumes 7% less power, helping create slimmer glasses with longer battery life. Meanwhile, Chinese chip design companies like Allwinner Technology are also entering the market, providing more cost-effective solutions.

On the application front, beyond existing features, companies like Xiaomi and Alibaba are actively exploring glasses-based payment solutions aimed at reducing users' smartphone dependency in shopping scenarios. The Counterpoint report also mentioned that Apple is actively exploring this field and developing its first AI glasses.

Analysts indicate that the current global electronics tariff crisis has limited impact on the smart glasses market. As the market continues expanding, the entire ecosystem from hardware manufacturers and chip suppliers to traditional eyewear channels is expected to benefit.