Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, launched in 2025, recorded significantly higher-than-expected demand in the US market, marking a crucial turning point for AI glasses with display functionality entering the mainstream market. CES 2026 further highlighted the industry’s accelerating growth. Over 50 companies showcased AI/AR hardware products and related technology solutions. The smart glasses exhibition was vibrant, featuring not only eyewear product companies like RayNeo, Lenovo, Rokid, INMO, and XREAL, but also component suppliers like Himax, Cellid, JBD, Goertek.

Since the latter half of last year, Ubi Research has been analyzing trends and company technology developments related to AI/AR glasses and microdisplays. Alongside CES 2026, we aim to examine where the recent trends and technological direction of AI/AR glasses are heading. First, the global smart (AI/AR) glasses market landscape, led by Meta, is expected to see intensified competition starting in the latter half of this year with the participation of more big tech players. According to announcements and media reports in 2025, Snap, Google, and Apple have signaled roadmap-like developments for their AI/AR glasses. Snap’s Specs and the ‘Aura’ project glasses from Google and Xreal are scheduled for release this year, 2026. Samsung launched the Galaxy XR headset in October 2025 and is developing an AI/AR-based smart glasses project. Alibaba also announced its ‘Quark AI Glasses’ and began sales in the Chinese market in November 2025. The global smart glasses market has seen a full-scale entry. Apple, recognizing limitations in the weight and price of its existing Vision Pro, is reportedly shifting strategy toward developing lightweight AI/AR glasses suitable for everyday consumer wear. There is even mention of a possible introduction as early as 2026. Behind the AI/AR glasses push, big tech companies are pursuing strategies to secure platform dominance for their respective independent AI technologies.

Global AI/AR glasses development roadmap showing intensifying competition from 2026 with entries from Big Tech firms like Meta, Google, and Apple. (Source: UBI Research)

The smart glasses industry has reached a turning point in its technological evolution. The era of competing on performance specifications in the lab has passed, and the focus has shifted to market and industry fundamentals: mass production that is commercially viable for consumers. Regarding trends in AI/AR glasses performance, first, we are seeing an increase in products that reflect consumer-desired features at achievable technological stages, rather than focusing solely on display elements or the ultimate AR implementation. For example, products are getting closer to consumer needs through features like hands-free texting, hands-free calling, and simple operation via smart rings and wristband sensors. Furthermore, products like the RayNeo X3 Pro introduced at CES 2026 integrate an eSIM communication module and 4G protocol support. This enables functions such as making and receiving calls, multi-mode AI, real-time AI translation, and streaming music playback without requiring a phone connection. AI/AR glasses are progressively establishing themselves as devices fulfilling the role of a Super Intelligent Assistant in daily life. Another trend is the ‘form factor differentiation and product diversification’ strategy for smart glasses. For example, manufacturers are addressing the consumer market with two distinct product series: models without displays and models with displays. These can be broadly categorized into glasses focused on outdoor visibility and ultra-lightweight design with built-in AI functionality, and glasses designed for high-definition large-screen replacement and movie viewing. The former primarily uses LCoS and Micro-LED displays, while the latter mainly employs Micro-OLED displays. Notably, nearly all companies entering the AI glasses market operate both product lines simultaneously. This is because there are significant differences in the user needs they fulfill, usage environments, core values, and aspects like glasses weight and price positioning. Ray-Ban Meta is a typical AI glasses product emphasizing high-definition filming, AI multi-mode understanding, and audio capabilities, priced at $299. Conversely, Ray-Ban Display is a display-centric AR glasses product emphasizing information display, interaction, and immersive sensory experiences, priced at $799. Rokid also addresses consumers with three product families.

Rokid’s AI/AR glasses lineup demonstrating a ‘form factor differentiation’ strategy based on usage scenarios and display integration. (Source: Rokid/UBI Research)

In the market perspective, AI glasses have established themselves as a flagship product due to their relatively low price, ease of mass production, and user-friendly habits. However, their lack of visual information provision may make them less appealing compared to AR/VR solutions, potentially putting them at a competitive disadvantage against other wearable devices. AR glasses with displays are expected to initially target niche markets, gradually increasing their market share as costs decrease and technological advancements occur. Augmented Social: Increased utilization is anticipated across diverse fields including social interaction, education, industry, and commerce. Furthermore, the advancement of AR glasses necessitates the concurrent development of optical systems that are highly light-efficient, low-loss, and lightweight. At CES 2026, next-generation optical technologies capable of bringing significant change to the AR glasses industry were unveiled. For all-day wear glasses, products utilizing low-power, lightweight, and compact LEDoS technology are expected to increase, and they are anticipated to gradually evolve into products featuring wide fields of view (FOV) through high-resolution panels. According to Ubi Research’s analysis, the future of AR glasses lies in the convergence of micro-displays and optical technologies, supported by the stabilization of the material and component supply chain and continuous technological advancement.

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

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