Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, recently claimed that people without smart glasses may face a “significant cognitive disadvantage” compared to those who use them. This bold statement hints at a future where smart glasses become essential.
This vision might become clearer soon at the Meta Connect conference, where new AI-powered smart glasses could be announced. These glasses might take inspiration from the popular Ray-Ban models, which already help users analyze their environment and answer queries about it.
Meta’s smart glasses have seen a surge in popularity. According to EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, revenue from these glasses tripled year-over-year. Market research shows that Meta is currently the leading brand in smart glasses.
While smart glasses aren’t expected to replace smartphones anytime soon, they could change how Meta connects with users. This is crucial as the company aims to create “personal superintelligence,” an AI that understands individual user needs and helps achieve personal goals.
Competitors like Samsung, Google, and Snap are also launching new smart glasses. Amazon is developing augmented reality glasses which could challenge Meta’s position in the market.
The partnership between Meta and Ray-Ban started with the 2021 release of Ray-Ban Stories, designed mainly for hands-free photo and video capture. However, they are not the pioneers in this space. Many companies have tried their hand at smart glasses, including Google in 2013 with the infamous Google Glass, which was criticized for its design and limited capabilities.
Now, advances in technology make it possible to create smaller, lighter smart glasses with better processors and batteries—something that was a challenge in the past. Experts believe the new generation will be far more appealing to consumers.
One notable development is the integration of advanced AI. Virtual assistants can now provide information almost instantly. For example, users can ask about the spiciness of a pepper or translate a sign just by looking at them through the glasses.
Meta is reportedly working on glasses that will feature a display for apps and notifications, along with improved gesture controls. Yet, the current Ray-Ban models don’t display images directly on the lenses, relying on audio feedback instead. Experts point out that without some form of visual feedback, it may be challenging to compete directly with users’ smartphones.
“To replace a smartphone, you need visual feedback,” states Guillaume Chansin from Counterpoint Research. The tech industry is frantically trying to keep pace with advancements in AI, fearing that rivals may outpace them.
There’s hope, however. The popularity of wireless earbuds, like Apple’s AirPods, has shown that consumers are open to new technology that allows hands-free communication without needing a phone on hand. Melissa Otto, an analyst, speculates that smart glasses might evolve to become the “AirPods of the future.”
Despite promising trends, Meta still faces significant challenges. Smart glasses remain a niche product, with projections suggesting about 13 million units will ship by 2026. In contrast, smartphones are sold by the hundreds of millions every quarter.
In Meta’s fiscal second quarter of 2025, Reality Labs, the division behind these glasses, suffered a $4.5 billion operating loss, while its apps generated merely $583 million in revenue. So, why is Meta investing in smart glasses? While they may not be a major source of income now, they could lead to a future where Meta is less dependent on third-party app makers, like Apple and Google.
At a past conference, Zuckerberg criticized Apple’s App Store control. Selling its own eyewear allows Meta to potentially steer user experiences directly. As the landscape evolves, the way users connect through social media could dramatically change. The question remains: will people eventually swap their iPhones for smart glasses when engaging with platforms like Facebook and Instagram?
