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Concept illustration of next-generation AR glasses featuring advanced waveguide and dimming lens technology.

The Evolution of Optical Technologies for AR Glasses at CES 2026… Next-Generation Displays, Emphasis on Stabilizing the Component Supply Chain and Optical Solutions

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At CES 2026, next-generation optics technologies capable of bringing significant change to the AR glasses industry were unveiled. Moving beyond the display competition that previously focused on image quality and brightness, optics technology—which determines wearability akin to actual eyeglasses and outdoor usability—is now emerging as the new battleground. The convergence of ‘Waveguide’ technology and ‘Smart Dimming’ technology to realize true daily AR glasses is drawing attention.

The AR optics market is led by ‘Birdbath’, which boasts high light efficiency (around 20%) and the best compatibility with OLEDoS, and ‘Waveguide’, which achieves the thinnest profile most similar to glasses when applied to LCoS/LEDoS. Until now, while waveguides could achieve a perfect form factor, their low light efficiency (around 1%) caused blurry outdoor displays, limiting their use primarily to text-focused smart glasses.

At CES 2026, LUMUS announced its new product ‘ZOE’, featuring proprietary geometric waveguide technology. ZOE expands the field of view (FOV) beyond the previous 30-degree limit to over 70 degrees. This enables immersion beyond simple text notifications, allowing for video viewing and multitasking. Notably, LUMUS improved upon the inherent issues of conventional diffractive waveguides—specifically ‘color uniformity degradation’ and ‘low efficiency’—through its geometric reflective structure design.

Manufacturing process of LUMUS's next-generation reflective waveguide lenses

Manufacturing process of LUMUS’s proprietary reflective (geometric) waveguide lenses, achieving over 70-degree FOV. (Source: LUMUS)

Of course, the drop in optical efficiency when implementing a 70-degree ultra-wide angle remains a challenge. To address this, the industry is adopting ‘Dimming Lenses’ as a solution. Instead of simply increasing the panel’s brightness, these lenses block external light to enhance the contrast ratio. At CES 2026, dimming lens technologies were showcased, including Optiple’s ultra-fast LC film with a 0.1-second response time and Povec’s electrochromic technology, which now offers a 1-second response time while maintaining natural color transitions. Even if the dimming lens blocks only half of the external light, it can save 20-40% of the energy the display needs to consume.

For the long-term development of smart AR glasses with high viewing angles and immersive visuals, the development of next-generation optical systems must proceed in parallel. These include Freeform Prism Combiner, Birdbath Slim, Pin Mirror, and Holographic methods, which offer high light efficiency, low loss, and lightweight capabilities.

According to UBI Research’s analysis, the solution to the display technology competition surrounding OLEDoS, LEDoS, and LCoS lies in convergence with optical technology, coupled with stabilizing the supporting material and component supply chain and enhancing core technological capabilities. This is because even innovative optical solutions like high-efficiency waveguides cannot fully realize their potential without high-performance materials and a robust component ecosystem. Market supremacy will now be determined not by mere panel specifications, but by who first secures the ultra-competitive technological edge achieved through the perfect trinity of ‘panel-optics-materials’.

Future concept image of next-generation AR glass optical technology presented at CES 2026

Future concept of next-generation AR glasses where panel, optics, and material technologies are perfectly fused. (Created by Gemini)

Changho Noh,  Senior Analyst at UBI Research (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶Industry Trends and Technology of Micro-LED Displays for XR Report

▶XR Industry Trends and OLEDoS Display Technology & Industry Analysis Report

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

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Competition between LEDoS and LCoS microdisplays for AR smart glasses (Source: UBI Research)

Competition for Microdisplays in AR Glasses: Who Will Prevail Between LEDoS and LCoS?

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The convergence of AI and AR technology advancements has led to a growing trend of AI/AR glasses being released, continuing from last year into the present. Meta is expected to announce its next-generation product, the ‘Hypernova’ smart glasses (Meta Celeste), at the Meta Connect 2025 conference scheduled for the 17th of this month (US time), drawing significant attention. Rumors suggest the display applied to the glasses will be an LCoS microdisplay panel. It is speculated that it will be a small, lightweight monocular HUD application, likely using a common LCoS 720×720 resolution product. It’s also speculated that the choice was influenced by the fact that implementing color with LEDoS panels requires using RGB mono panels in a cubic configuration, and Meta relies on the Chinese supplier JBD as the primary provider.

Last July in Shanghai, Alibaba Group unveiled its first AI glasses, the Quark glasses. They are targeting a launch within China by the end of the year. Regarding the display and optics, it was reported to use a monochrome (green) Micro-LED + waveguide structure, with JBD mentioned as the supplier. This product is a Micro-LED AR glass focused on HUD/information display, known for its design prioritizing outdoor readability, low power consumption, and lightweight characteristics. Additionally, Rokid’s smart glasses also employ mono Micro-LED + diffractive waveguides in both left and right lenses. Rokid announced that its smart glasses surpassed 40,000 units sold within just five days of starting online pre-orders on September 1st. China currently holds significant expectations for AI/AR smart glasses, with many companies adopting domestically produced LEDoS panels.

Competition between LEDoS and LCoS microdisplays is expected to continue in AR glasses. At the UBI Research Display Strategy Seminar held on September 5, a comparison of the competitiveness and outlook for LEDoS and LCoS was presented.

Comparison of near-eye headsets and glasses using LCoS (Source: UBI Research)

Comparison of near-eye headsets/glasses with LCoS (Source: UBI Research)

Comparison of AR smart glasses using LEDoS (Source: UBI Research)

Comparison of AR glasses using LEDoS (Source: UBI Research)

According to comparative analysis, for AR smart glasses targeting information display (HUD), translation, and interactive functions via displays with resolutions of 2VGA or 1080p and below, micro-LED-applied glasses were judged to be highly competitive in terms of form factor, power consumption, contrast, and image quality. For future immersive AR headsets and glasses products around 2K resolution, mutual competition is anticipated as each technology compensates for the other’s shortcomings. Smart glasses set manufacturers are expected to choose micro-displays based on price, strategic partnerships, or supply chain considerations. Ultimately, through the continued advancement of LEDoS technology, the adoption of small, lightweight, high-quality LEDoS panels is projected to expand within a few years.

Namdeog Kim, Senior Analyst at UBI Research(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

Why XR Devices Are Key to the 6G Era

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Google Headset and Smart Glasses Examples

Google Headset and Smart Glasses Examples

The introduction of 4G was a decisive factor in the popularization of smartphones. 3G technically enabled ‘data communication’, but it was difficult for consumers to experience it. On the other hand, 4G brought about visible changes such as high-resolution video streaming, real-time games, and SNS activation, and the development of smartphone displays was at the center of this experience. As screens became larger, clearer, and faster, the advancement of network speeds became an everyday experience.

The communications industry is now preparing for the commercialization of 6G, targeting around 2030. 6G supports speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G (up to 1 Tbps), delay times of less than 1 ms, and broadband hyperconnectivity. However, this level of speed is difficult to experience simply by downloading content or watching videos. The only interface that allows you to ‘experience’ the speed and low-latency characteristics of 6G is XR (eXtended Reality), or extended reality devices.

XR includes AR, VR, and MR, and is considered a core service of 6G. However, XR devices that will implement this still face various technical challenges, such as high-resolution displays, weight reduction, heat control, and optical system configuration. In particular, the display is the center of the XR experience quality. Based on a single eye, a resolution of 2000×2000 or higher, a pixel density of 100PPD or higher, and high brightness of 5,000 to 10,000 nits or higher are required, which far exceeds the level of general smartphones.

Currently, major XR companies and display companies are moving as follows.

  • Google is unveiling the Android XR platform through I/O in 2024 and is developing XR headsets and smart glasses. In particular, it is known that OLEDoS-based displays supplied by XREAL are used in smart glasses. Google’s XR strategy is focused on building a platform-hardware-content integration ecosystem targeting Apple Vision Pro.
  • Apple has taken the lead in the premium XR market with Vision Pro using OLEDoS, and is maintaining the same direction in subsequent models.
  • Samsung is developing ultra-high-resolution displays for XR centered on OLEDoS and LEDoS technologies, and they are scheduled to be installed in Samsung Electronics’ XR headsets and smart glasses.
  • LG Display is accelerating its OLEDoS core technology based on its OLED technology competitiveness.
  • BOE is mass-producing OLEDoS with support from the Chinese government, and is supplying it to local XR startups and global partners.
  • JBD is applying ultra-high-brightness displays based on LEDoS to small AR devices, and is attracting attention for implementing brightness of over 100,000 nits.

In this way, displays for XR devices are divided into two axes: OLEDoS and LEDoS. OLEDoS has strengths in resolution and color expression, while LEDoS has strengths in brightness and lifespan, and they are selected according to the purpose of each device.

Ultimately, 6G means not only the evolution of network speeds, but also the redefinition of the human-machine interface. If displays were at the center when moving from 3G to 4G, then XR devices and display technology will take that place in 6G. In order for consumers to ‘feel’ 6G, technology must now be implemented through a new window called XR.

Changwook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Report

Who will develop LEDoS for Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display and AR glasses?

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The development of LEDoS for AR glasses by Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor (DS) division has been the focus of much attention. Last year, the DS division of Samsung Electronics established a department dedicated to micro-LEDs within the CSS (Compound Semiconductor Solutions) business team, but there have been ongoing discussions with Samsung Display regarding the selection of a business manager. In April last year, the company discussed the idea of transferring the department in charge of the project to Samsung Display. This year, the development of LEDoS will be in full swing, and the roles of the Mobile Experience (MX) Division, the DS Department, and Samsung Display are expected to become clearer.

According to industry experts, it would be efficient for Samsung Display to promote commercialization once the LEDoS base technology reaches the completion stage first, which is estimated to be in the middle of next year. For the time being, there will be no major changes, and the CMOS Backplane technology and micro-LED device technology will be developed by a department dedicated to micro-LEDs in the CSS business team.

Vice President Kwon Sang-deuk, who heads the division dedicated to micro-LEDs, is known as a circuit expert with a system LSI background. While Taiwan and China are the fastest-growing countries in the field of AR glasses, Samsung may be the fastest-growing.

Joohan Kim, UBI Research Analyst(joohanus@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

BOE unveils its microdisplay development policy

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At FPD China 2025’s “CDC Metaverse – Display on Silicon” on March 26, 2025, a group of experts presented on topics such as building AI and AR glass ecosystems, silicon-based display technology roadmaps, key process, equipment and material innovations, and industry and market trend forecasts.

 BOE presented “The Progress and Roadmap of BOE Si-Based Micro Display Technology,” revealing its plans to build a micro display base in Beijing and add silicon-based OLED and silicon-based LED technologies to form an ecosystem covering high-, medium-, and low-level micro displays of all required specifications.

In the high-speed LCD segment, the company is building a research and development line and manufacturing line for high-resolution (2000 ppi) LCDs for microdisplays at B20, the sixth-generation LTPS-LCD line in Beijing. Qingdao and Ordos, the regional bases for LCD, are manufacturing modules and panels for high-speed LCDs.

Beijing is also preparing R&D and production lines for OLEDoS and LEDoS for high-end applications. The company plans to design its own Si backplane after relying on design houses. In Chongqing, it is responsible for the development and production of AMOLED panels for VR, and BMOT, an OLEDoS line in Kunming, is producing 12-inch and 8-inch OLEDoS. 

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

UBI Research’s micro display report