AI glasses drive 110% jump in shipments as Meta readies Hypernova

Smart glasses shipments surged in the first half of the year, driven by renewed demand for AI-enabled wearables and Meta’s ongoing push into the category, even as competitors such as Xiaomi and several large tech groups prepare competing models. Market researchers reported a 110% year-on-year increase in shipments, with AI-focused glasses accounting for roughly four-fifths of total smart-frame shipments. The trend underscores a rapid shift toward compact, always-on computing devices that blend notification delivery, maps, and light applications into wearable form factors, a development observers expect to intensify as more players enter the space in the second half of 2025.

Industry analysis attributes the surge primarily to the popularity of AI glasses and the momentum built by established models like Meta’s Ray-Ban line, along with Xiaomi’s newly launched AI glasses. While basic smart glasses—often emphasizing audio features—continue to comprise a portion of the market, the AI glasses segment has become the dominant driver of growth. Analysts say the appeal lies in the convenience of on-device displays and the ability to access apps and updates without pulling out a phone, a...