In 2025, Ray-Ban Meta became the best-selling smart glasses globally. The first quarter of 2026 continues the Meta glasses hype, with new models revealed, and international expansion on hold due to “unprecedented demand” and limited inventory.
In 2025, Meta sold 7 million units of its RayBan glasses created in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica. Not only did these smartglasses sales went up 139% in a year, but they also managed to capture over 80% of the smart wearables market.
As of Q2 2026, the Meta wearables line-up expanded with improved Gen 2 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, the Oakley Meta model for the sports and performance segment, as well as several models of smart glasses with prescription lenses. The demand for stylish-looking wearables packed with AI features grew enormously, forcing Meta to postpone international shipments expansion just to cater to already existing markets.
Reportedly, Meta and EssilorLuxottica are considering doubling the production capacity of their AI-powered smart glasses to 20 million units annually by the end of this year. Given the growing demand, some projections even estimate the potential of 30 million units crafted each year. Although some experts call that increase unrealistic, even the modest production boost would bring the Meta glasses sales closer to 10 million units per year.
Compared to competitors’ sales, that upheaval is impressive and suggests total market domination to continue well into 2027. Aside from the Meta smart glasses line, notable growth is tracked across Chinese smart glasses alternatives. Eyewear like Rokid AR glasses, Xiaomi smart & audio glasses, or different Alibaba-backed AI wearables captured a 10.9% share of the global AI glasses market.
Their shipments approached one million units, more focused on local sales, making China the second-largest wearables market by volume. At the same time, Meta does not have a direct presence in this market, so domestic alternatives might be the only option available for many Chinese consumers. Yet, it doesn’t necessarily mean Chinese AI glasses models, which are often cheaper and more experimental than Meta-branded eyewear, would dominate globally, given the chance.
However, extremely popular Meta smart glasses are treated by users with extra precaution, as they can potentially reveal sensitive, undesired information about people around, especially if the tech giant pulls off its face recognition idea despite civil society groups’ objections.
Next to AI-powered glasses, Meta has revived a smartwatch project with Meta AI assistant serving as the main feature. In this area, Facebook parent company would have to compete mainly with Apple, Huawei, Samsung, and Xiaomi.
