Demand for smart glasses is surging: Sales of Meta glasses nearly doubled in the second quarter of 2026. This was announced by EssilorLuxottica, the French-Italian eyewear group that develops and manufactures the models in collaboration with Meta. The figures confirm what has been evident for months—what was once a niche product for tech enthusiasts has become a mass market.
Smart glasses are driving growth at EssilorLuxottica
EssilorLuxottica released its half-year results on Tuesday, and they were impressive. In the first half of 2026, the group generated revenue of approximately 14.8 billion euros, an increase of 9.7 percent at constant exchange rates. In the second quarter alone, growth stood at 8.7 percent. Adjusted operating profit climbed by 15 percent, and the corresponding margin rose by 80 basis points to 18.9 percent. Free cash flow reached 1.07 billion euros, the best half-year figure in five years.
Connected glasses are the key growth driver. While the Group as a whole is growing in the high single-digit range, revenue from Meta’s AI glasses has nearly doubled year-over-year. To put this in perspective: U.S. market research firm Circana estimates growth in the entire smart glasses segment at 233 percent, reaching approximately $436 million in the twelve months through May 2026. According to IDC, Meta holds a market share of just over 69 percent.
Over 7 million pairs sold—and growth is outpacing expectations
In 2025 alone, the partners sold over 7 million Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta glasses. That’s more than three times the approximately 2 million units that were sold in 2023 and 2024 combined. EssilorLuxottica originally planned to ramp up annual production to 10 million units by the end of 2026—but due to strong demand, this target is now expected to be reached sooner. Discussions with Meta are already exploring the possibility of doubling production to 20 million pairs of glasses per year.
The product lineup has also expanded. In addition to the second generation of Ray-Ban Meta, the partners launched two models in April specifically designed for people who wear prescription glasses; this was followed in June by Meta Glasses, a standalone brand without the Ray-Ban logo, priced starting at 309 euros, which targets a more affordable price range. The glasses are now available in 17 countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
| Model | Special Feature | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Glasses (own brand) | AI assistant, camera, audio | Starting at 309 euros |
| Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) | Camera, speakers, Meta AI | Starting at around 380 euros |
| Oakley Meta | Sports-focused, longer battery life | Starting at around 400 euros |
| Meta Ray-Ban Display | Color display in the lens + Neural Band | $799 (U.S.) |
From audio gadget to true smart glasses: the battle for the display
Things get technically exciting with the top-of-the-line Meta Ray-Ban Display model, which, for $799, projects a color display directly onto the eyeglass lens and can be controlled via gestures using a wristband called the Neural Band. This is made possible by a so-called waveguide—a precision-manufactured glass substrate that directs light from a tiny projector through the lens and into the field of view, while the wearer continues to look through the glasses as usual.
It is precisely these components that are the bottleneck. Manufacturing them in the millions with a usable yield is difficult—the display model has been in short supply since its launch. That’s why EssilorLuxottica entered into a long-term development partnership in June with Applied Materials, a supplier in the semiconductor industry. The goal is to scale up the production of such optical components and reduce dependence on individual specialty suppliers. In short: EssilorLuxottica is building its own display infrastructure.
Second Growth Driver: Glasses for Myopia
It’s not just smart glasses that are gaining traction. The business for specialized lenses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children grew by 24 percent in the second quarter, following 26 percent growth in the first quarter. This is driven by a global trend: According to estimates, more than half of the world’s population could be nearsighted by 2050. For EssilorLuxottica, this represents a second pillar of business alongside smart glasses—it’s medical in nature, predictable, and less dependent on tech hype.
The competition is stepping up
Meta still dominates the market, but that is likely to change. On July 22, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Glasses—initially without a display, but featuring Google’s Gemini assistant. Google itself is working with eyewear manufacturers Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on its own AI glasses, which are set to launch in select markets this fall. And according to industry reports, Apple is also working on smart glasses that could arrive as early as 2027. How the race plays out depends heavily on who makes the display technology suitable for the mass market first—and Meta has a strong starting position thanks to its three-year lead in software maturity.
Privacy remains a sore spot
Despite all this growth, the camera on your head remains a sensitive issue. In the U.S., the state of New York has banned smart glasses from all courthouses as of July 20; there is also a class-action lawsuit underway in the U.S. and an investigation in the U.K. regarding the discreet recording feature. These concerns apply equally to products from Google and Samsung. Anyone working in a sensitive environment—such as the legal, healthcare, or financial sectors—should keep an eye on local access regulations.
Conclusion
Figures from EssilorLuxottica show that smart glasses have finally arrived on the mass market. The nearly doubled revenue, over 7 million pairs sold, and the ramp-up in production speak for themselves. The coming year will be exciting: With Samsung, Google, and potentially Apple, Meta is facing serious competitors, and the real question for the future—affordable, everyday-use smart glasses with a display—has not yet been technically resolved. However, the partnership with Applied Materials hints at the direction in which EssilorLuxottica is investing. Anyone looking to get started today will find a mature product in the current generation of smart glasses —but the most exciting generation is likely still to come.
Sources: EssilorLuxottica Newsroom, Meta AI Glasses.
