The smart glasses category has been through a turbulent decade since Google Glass’s 2013 debut triggered a wave of privacy backlash. At CES 2026 and MWC 2026, the category finally showed signs of maturity, with more than 50 AI and AR glasses manufacturers collectively demonstrating that lightweight design, all-day wearability, and multi-modal interaction have become industry consensus.
Smart Glasses Find Their Focus
Chinese manufacturers were particularly prominent. Rokid launched its new AI smart glasses, Rokid Style, claimed to be “the lightest full-function AI glasses on the market” at just 38.5 grams. Rokid Glasses, already in mass production, look almost indistinguishable from ordinary glasses at 49 grams, supporting functions including taking photos and videos, intelligent prompting, 89-language translation, real-time navigation, AI Q&A, glance-to-pay, and meeting minutes.
XREAL announced an extended strategic partnership with Google, identified as the main hardware partner for Android XR. In 2026, the two sides will cooperate to launch the smart glasses Project Aura, introducing Android XR to optical see-through devices—one of the important signals for Google’s re-entry into the smart glasses market.
INMO’s new product, INMO GO3, made its overseas debut with a focus on aesthetics and detailed functions. Using a pure CNC five-axis precision carving process and 8mm temples, it completely sheds the traditional image of “bulky and ugly black frames”. The glasses are the first in the industry to achieve real-time two-way dialogue translation across 261 languages with 98% accuracy, using AI voice-imitation technology to replicate the speaker’s tone, intonation, and emotion.
At MWC 2026, Google showed off Android XR prototype smart glasses, very similar to the transparent-lensed wayfarer style of Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. Full retail versions are expected later this year, with partnerships with Warby Parker and Monster already confirmed.
The numbers support the optimism. Global shipments of smart glasses surged 139% year over year in the second half of 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. Qualcomm’s Ziad Asghar noted that “we have seen the demand go way beyond what we had predicted, and that has given us a lot more confidence”.
For consumers, the message is clear: smart glasses are finally becoming practical, fashionable, and useful. The privacy concerns haven’t disappeared—always-on cameras and microphones remain controversial—but the technology is evolving with LED lights that activate during recording and deliberate design choices that prioritize user trust.