AI smart glasses are moving closer to the mainstream. A new industry report points to sharp growth starting in 2026, with Apple Glasses expected to play a major role once they arrive.
A new report from Smart Analytics Global projects that 2026 will be a breakout year for AI smart glasses. Sales volume is expected to jump from 6 million units in 2025 to 20 million units in 2026. Revenue is forecast to rise just as fast, driven by wider consumer interest and stronger hardware.
Apple Glasses Matter
Smart Analytics Global believes Apple’s entry around 2027 will change the market’s trajectory. The firm points to three strengths that Apple is known for and expects to bring to smart glasses.
Specifics in the report include:
- Industrial design that prioritizes comfort and everyday wear
- Fashion appeal that makes glasses socially acceptable
- Ecosystem integration that ties hardware closely to software and services
These are the same factors that helped Apple Watch succeed as a mass market wearable. While Apple’s design team has changed significantly since the early Apple Watch days, the company’s hardware reputation has remained strong.
Related: Apple’s Smart Glasses in 2026: Everything We Know Right Now
Market Outlook Through 2030
Smart Analytics Global does not expect smart glasses to replace smartphones. Instead, the report says both products will exist side by side, with glasses acting as a hands-free, always-on AI interface.
The report also outlines how the category will evolve:
- HUD based smart glasses are expected to overtake audio-only models from 2028
- Visual AI features like navigation, translation, and contextual assistance will drive demand
- Annual shipments are projected to reach 75 million units by 2030
As Linda Sui, Founder of Smart Analytics Global, put it:
“Apple’s expected entry around 2027 could mark a major inflection point, combining strong industrial design, fashion appeal, and ecosystem integration to accelerate mainstream adoption.”
By the end of the decade, Smart Analytics Global expects Apple, Samsung, and Meta to emerge as the top three vendors, as competition intensifies and smaller players exit the market.
