Global Smart Eyewear Shipments Grow 35.3% in Q2; China Declines
Global smart eyewear shipments increased by 35.3% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026, reaching 3.55 million units. China experienced its first decline in smart eyewear shipments during the same period.
Global shipments of smart eyewear reached 3.55 million units in the second quarter of 2026, marking a 35.3% increase from the previous year, according to IDC's latest report.
The audio and camera glasses segment led the growth, accounting for 2.49 million units. Augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (ER) glasses saw shipments of 505,000 units. Conversely, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headset shipments fell by 23.3% to 548,000 units.
China's smart eyewear market contracted by 8% year-over-year, with shipments totaling 611,000 units. This decline was primarily driven by a 35.4% drop in audio and camera glasses. However, China's AR/VR market expanded significantly, growing by 85.8%, partly fueled by lightweight AI-enabled glasses.
IDC noted that display-less audio glasses continue to be the dominant category globally, representing 70.3% of second-quarter shipments. The industry trend indicates a shift towards lighter devices, integrated AI functionalities, and more practical consumer applications.