Idc reports 35.3% growth in global smart eyewear shipments in q2 2026

IDC reported that global smart eyewear shipments reached 354.7 units in Q2 2026, marking a 35.3% year-over-year increase. Audio and audio-video eyewear accounted for 249.4 units, up 54%, while AR/ER eyewear shipments hit 50.5 units, a 75.7% rise. VR/MR headsets, however, saw a 23.3% decline to 54.8 units. For the first half of 2026, global shipments totaled 711.4 units, a 70.5% year-over-year growth. The market is shifting toward higher levels of intelligence and new applications. Leading companies like Meta and Apple are driving innovation, with Apple preparing to launch its first smart glasses. Chinese firms such as Ray-Ban and Xreal are expanding globally, with Xreal capturing over 60% of the overseas market. In China, Q2 shipments dropped 8% to 61.1 units, primarily due to declining audio eyewear sales. IDC analyst Ye Qingqing noted that consumer caution remains, despite subsidies and promotions, as the market awaits more compelling innovations and use cases.