Meta aims to dominate the AR market with AI-enabled glasses, although current offerings, including the Ray-Ban Meta, have limitations such as inadequate AI functionality. The next wave of wearable devices is expected to feature augmented reality visuals, but they currently lack compelling use cases beyond smartphones. The challenge remains to integrate powerful computing capabilities into lightweight, wearable formats. Meta's Orion AR glasses and other devices require additional hardware, complicating their practicality. The industry is working towards creating lighter, more powerful AR solutions, but significant hurdles remain.
Key takeaways:
- Global VR headset shipments declined by 12% year-over-year in 2024, with Meta Quest 3s gaining market share despite the overall downturn.
- AR glasses are expected to grow by 30% through 2026, with Meta planning to release multiple new models following the success of its Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
- Apple's Vision Pro saw a 43% decline in shipments in the last quarter of 2024, ending the year with a 2% market share.
- Big tech companies, including Samsung and Google, are developing new AR headsets, but challenges remain in creating lightweight, powerful devices without cumbersome attachments.