Global AI Glasses Shipments Surge 263% in H1 2026, Led by Screenless Models
Global AI glasses shipments grew by 263% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, according to data from Counterpoint Research. The growth was primarily driven by screenless, audio-focused models like Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which recorded a 258% year-over-year shipment increase. The data demonstrates that consumers currently favor lower-cost, lightweight audio glasses over complex, expensive display-based AR wearables. It indicates that screenless AI interactions via voice and microphones are establishing the primary entry point for mass-market wearable AI hardware. While display-equipped AR/AI glasses still represent a small portion of the market, their shipments grew 449% YoY off a smaller base, led by Rokid (41% market share) and Meta (37%), with China accounting for 45% of global display glasses shipments. Rising component costs and camera privacy concerns are prompting manufacturers, including Meta, to explore camera-free, audio-only AI smart glasses.
## BACKGROUND
Smart glasses generally split into two main product categories: audio-centric AI glasses that interact strictly through speakers and microphones, and optical AR glasses that display visual images directly to the user's eye. AR display glasses frequently rely on optical waveguide technology to project transparent visuals, which significantly increases manufacturing costs, power consumption, and weight compared to audio-only devices.