Global AI glasses shipments surge 263% yoy in h1 2026, with display-less AI glasses accounting for 96% of total

Counterpoint Research reported that global AI glasses shipments rose by 263% year-over-year in the first half of 2026. Display-less AI glasses accounted for 96% of total shipments, with AR AI glasses capturing 4%. Display-less AI glasses saw a 258% year-over-year increase and a 22% monthly growth, led by Meta, which held 94% of the market with a 260% year-over-year sales increase and 22% monthly growth. AR AI glasses experienced a 449% year-over-year surge and 18% monthly growth, with Chinese OEMs leading the commercialization. China (45%) surpassed the U.S. (41%) as the largest market for this category. Analysts noted rising semiconductor costs and privacy concerns as potential challenges for AI glasses development.