AI glasses shipments 2026 rose 263% year over year in the first half of the year, according to Counterpoint Research, with display-less models making up 96% of the market. Meta held 94% of that display-less segment, while the UAE accounted for 2% of its regional shipments.
The figures come from Counterpoint’s Global Intelligent Eyewear Market Tracker, reported in detail by 9to5Mac. Meta’s display-less shipment volume grew 260% year over year. Xiaomi and Alibaba each held 1%, with the remaining 4% split among other brands.
AI glasses shipments 2026: Meta leads as displays remain niche
The split between the two categories is stark. Display-less glasses focus on audio, cameras and voice assistants, while AR and AI glasses add a visual display and optical components. The latter segment grew 449% year over year, but from a much smaller base.
| Segment | H1 2026 leader | Leader share | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display-less AI glasses | Meta | 94% | Meta volume +260% |
| AR & AI glasses | Rokid | 41% | Segment +449% |
Rokid led the AR and AI segment with 41%, followed by Meta at 37%, Even Realities at 11% and Alibaba at 7%. Counterpoint expects more competition from Meta, Google, Samsung and Apple as companies work on glasses that can offer more proactive AI features without making privacy concerns worse.
What the UAE’s 2% share means
Counterpoint’s regional breakdown puts the UAE at 2% of display-less AI glasses shipments in H1 2026. North America led with 50%, followed by Western Europe at 28%; the UAE figure is a shipment share, not a measure of local sales revenue or household ownership.
There is no UAE price or availability figure in the report. The number does, however, place the country inside a market that is already moving beyond prototypes, while Meta’s smart glasses have faced privacy scrutiny and Samsung is developing its own AI glasses.
Apple is reportedly targeting display-less smart glasses for 2027, according to 9to5Mac. That gives Meta a large lead in shipments, but not necessarily a quiet market: the next round will involve cameras, privacy controls and the less glamorous business of making the glasses useful every day.
How much did AI glasses shipments grow in H1 2026?
Global AI glasses shipments rose 263% year over year in the first half of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research.
What share of AI glasses shipments did Meta have?
Meta held 94% of the display-less AI glasses segment in H1 2026. Its shipment volume grew 260% year over year.
What does the UAE’s 2% figure measure?
The 2% figure is the UAE’s share of regional display-less AI glasses shipments in Counterpoint’s H1 2026 breakdown. It is not a local sales-revenue or ownership figure.
