Global shipments of artificial intelligence glasses more than doubled in the first half of 2026, driven by diversified designs and rapid expansion in China, as mainstream adoption accelerates amidst privacy concerns.
Global shipments of artificial intelligence glasses more than doubled in the first half of 2026, underlining how quickly the category is moving from novelty to mainstream consumer hardware. Omdia said volumes reached 4.2 million units in the six months to June, a rise of 127% year on year, with demand driven by hands-free photography and video, open-ear audio and live AI features built into ordinary-looking frames.
Meta remained far ahead of the field, shipping 3.4 million units and taking 81.3% of the market, according to Omdia’s latest figures. That dominance reflects the strength of its Ray-Ban and Oakley-branded devices, but it also masks a more crowded market than a year ago, as smaller vendors have begun testing different form factors and feature sets.
One of the clearest challengers has been Even Realities, which moved into second place with 102,000 units shipped, helped by interest in its G2 glasses. Unlike camera-led rivals, the product uses a slim design with a monochrome display and productivity tools such as real-time transcription. Omdia said the diversification of hardware approaches suggests there is no single design that will suit every buyer. Industry trackers from IDC point in the same direction, showing sharp growth in display-less smart glasses and forecasting further expansion through 2026 and beyond.
China is emerging as the most important testing ground for that competition. Omdia said shipments in mainland China jumped 306% year on year in the first half, as local manufacturers pushed a wide range of designs into the market. The US remains the largest consumer market, but analysts warned that privacy concerns over always-on cameras are becoming more acute. Omdia’s research director, Jason Low, said vendors will have to be much clearer about what their devices record, how that material is used and how it is kept away from third parties.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
