According to Counterpoint Research, shipments of AI glasses rose 263% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year. Screenless, camera- and audio-focused models accounted for 96% of sales, while Meta captured a 94% share of this segment. Augmented reality glasses with displays also grew 449% year over year; however, they are more expensive, heavier and more difficult to manufacture.
Why it matters
The data shows that growth in AI glasses has not yet been distributed equally across all product types. The clear dominance of screenless, camera- and audio-focused models indicates that users are encountering products with simpler hardware in this category and that the market is largely concentrated in the hands of a single company. The higher growth rate of augmented reality glasses with displays suggests that the segment is attracting interest, but that cost, weight and manufacturing challenges are limiting its wider adoption. This picture brings to the fore the question of which segment consumers’ options are concentrated in, while leaving open the question of whether display-equipped models can change the market distribution for manufacturers without overcoming these obstacles.