Global shipments of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses nearly doubled in 2025, hitting a new peak, as per a report released on Monday. According to Counterpoint analysis, AR smart glasses’ global shipment surged by 98% during the year, with a remarkable 148% increase in the second half of the year. Video-centric AR smart glasses saw an over 80% growth in the latter half of 2025.
The waveguide-based AR glasses segment experienced an astonishing 600% surge year-on-year, leading to a more diverse competitive landscape. This segment’s share in total shipments spiked to 38% in H2 2025 from 13% a year earlier. The growth in waveguide-based devices is attributed to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, enabling functionalities like real-time translation, navigation, and image recognition.
Counterpoint highlighted that AR smart glasses with AI capabilities represented about 70% of waveguide-based shipments in H2 2025, a significant increase from negligible levels a year before, with China and the US being key markets. The research firm anticipates continued growth in the global AR smart glasses market in the upcoming years, driven by international expansion from major OEMs, new entrants, and enhancements in key display and optical components’ maturity and production yields. However, challenges may arise due to recent memory price hikes and geopolitical tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, impacting the global economy.
In another report from March, the industry witnessed a 139% year-on-year growth in H2 CY25. India saw a 15-fold surge in shipments in H2 CY25 following Meta’s official launch in May 2025, though the country’s volume accounted for only 2% of the global total.
