Global smart glasses shipments H1 2025 have surged by an impressive 110% year over year, according to Counterpoint Research. This boom is being driven primarily by demand for AI-powered models like Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta, while new players such as Xiaomi and TCL-RayNeo are also entering the competitive landscape.
Why This Growth Matters
- AI Glasses Lead the Surge
- AI smart glasses now account for 78% of all shipments in H1 2025 — a significant rise from 46% in H1 2024 and 66% in H2 2024.
- Within that segment, AI models have grown by over 250% YoY, far outpacing the overall market growth.
- Meta Retains Market Dominance
- Meta, powered by its Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses and expanded manufacturing via Luxottica, holds a commanding 73% share of the smart glasses market.
- Shipments of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses alone grew over 200% YoY driven by both demand and increased production capacity. C
- New Players Gain Traction
- Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi, TCL-RayNeo, Kopin Solos, and Thunderobot joined the fray. Notably, Xiaomi’s AI glasses became the fourth best-selling model overall and the third best in the AI category, despite being available for only a week in H1 2025.
Broader Industry Trends
- Audio-Only Smart Glasses Lose Ground
- Traditional smart audio glasses, like those from Huawei and Amazon, saw declining shipments as AI models offering advanced features—such as image recognition and live translation—take the lead.
- Tariffs Have Minimal Impact
- Despite ongoing global tensions and proposed tariffs, analysts including Flora Tang report little disruption to smart glasses supply chains, keeping momentum intact.
- Geographic Expansion
- Meta expanded into India, Mexico, and the UAE in Q2 2025, further boosting its global shipments.
Expert Insight
“Meta’s share in the global smart glasses market rose to 73% in H1 2025… shipments of Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses grew over 200% YoY during the period.”
– Flora Tang, Senior Research Analyst
What’s Next for H2 2025 and Beyond?
- More AI Glasses Are Coming — Brands like Meta (with Oakley) and Alibaba are gearing up to launch new models in H2 2025.
- High Annual Growth Expected — Counterpoint maintains its forecast of 60%+ yearly growth through 2029, spurred by diversified products and expanding ecosystems.
- R&D and Retail Play Key Role — EssilorLuxottica, Meta’s production partner, saw its Ray-Ban Meta sales triple in H1 2025, contributing €951 million in free cash flow—highlighting the profitability and strategic importance of AI wearables.
