Consumer interest in smart glasses surpasses VR headsets

Recent survey findings reveal that consumer interest in smart glasses is significantly higher than that for virtual reality (VR) headsets.

Respondents’ interest in smart glasses exceeded that for VR headsets by about 7 percentage points. Despite a decline in the VR market’s sales momentum over the past two years, 40% of respondents still expressed interest in purchasing a VR headset.

This data indicates a shifting landscape in consumer technology preferences, with smart glasses gaining traction.

Smart Glasses Industry Snapshot

• Meta Platforms (META) – Produces Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, adding AI features and social integration.

• Vuzix (VUZI) – A pure-play smart glasses company with a focus on enterprise, defense, and consumer AR applications.

• EssilorLuxottica (EL-Paris) – The eyewear giant behind Ray-Ban and Oakley; a key partner in bringing smart eyewear to mainstream consumers.

• Himax Technologies (HIMX) – Supplies LCOS micro-displays and display drivers that power AR/smart glasses.

• Apple (AAPL) – Developing AR glasses to complement its Vision Pro ecosystem, aiming for a consumer launch in the coming years.

• Qualcomm (QCOM) – Provides Snapdragon XR processors, a backbone for many AR and smart glasses platforms.

• Amazon (AMZN) – Maker of Echo Frames, Alexa-enabled smart glasses, reinforcing its presence in AI-driven wearables.

• Lenovo (LNVGY) – Produces AR glasses and enterprise wearable devices, leveraging its PC ecosystem.

Companies Positioned to Benefit

• Vuzix (VUZI) – As a pure-play, any rise in adoption directly boosts growth.

• Meta (META) & EssilorLuxottica (EL) – Positioned to capture consumer interest with stylish, brand-driven smart eyewear.

• Apple (AAPL) – Could redefine the space once its AR glasses launch, benefiting from its ecosystem lock-in.

• Qualcomm (QCOM) & Himax (HIMX) – Set to gain from component demand as smart glasses adoption scales across brands.

• Amazon (AMZN) – Niche benefit via Echo Frames, but broader impact is tied to AI integration in consumer wearables.