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Global and Chinese smart eyewear market growth

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2026-08-18 07:30 UTC → 2026-08-19 12:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The global and Chinese markets for AR/VR and smart eyewear experienced significant growth in the first half of 2026. Globally, shipments of intelligent eyewear rose 83% year-on-year in the first quarter, driven largely by a 136% increase in AR glasses and a 210% jump in display-less smart glasses, even as the VR segment saw a 17% decline. In China, the smart glasses market saw total channel sales reach 909,000 units in the first half of 2026, representing an 85.5% year-on-year increase. This growth was characterized by a shift in consumer interest toward functional devices; AR glasses sales rose by 109.4% and camera-equipped glasses grew by 158.2%. Conversely, the market share for audio glasses dropped to 20.7% as growth in that category slowed to 8%. Market competition remains intense. Globally, RayNeo and Meta held significant shares, while in the Chinese market, Rayneo led with an 18.9% sales share, followed by Rokid, Qianwen, Huawei, and Xiaomi. Recent developments indicate the industry is entering a phase of accelerated commercialization, fueled by AI foundation models and advanced near-eye display technologies. TrendForce projects global AR glasses shipments will exceed one million units by the end of 2026. Major players are pursuing diverse hardware strategies: Meta is utilizing a dual-track approach with MicroLED and LCoS technologies, Samsung is developing AI-integrated and MicroLED models, and Apple is reportedly accelerating market entry with AI glasses under the codename ‘N50’. Google is also focusing on ecosystem development through partnerships with companies such as Samsung, XREAL, and Warby Parker. While global giants focus on ecosystems, Chinese manufacturers are prioritizing market execution with specialized models for entertainment, AI translation, and content creation. Smart glasses are increasingly emerging as a significant consumer technology category, moving toward everyday utility.

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