Northeast: AI+AR glasses expected to become mainstream in the market, lens manufacturing companies usher in new development opportunities.

Northeast released a research report stating that with ongoing technological updates and iterations and decreasing costs, AI+AR glasses are expected to occupy nearly 2/3 of the market share by 2028, surpassing AI shooting glasses to become mainstream products. Leading technology companies plan to launch multiple AI glasses in 2026-2027, with CES showcasing multiple AI+AR glasses, further confirming the potential for AI+AR glasses to become mainstream products. The potential users of AI glasses are expanding from traditional glasses users to those with normal vision, and AI+AR glasses need to meet two core requirements of vision correction and display. Some key points from Northeast are as follows: AI shooting glasses are currently the mainstream product, and AI+AR glasses are expected to surpass them in market share by 2028 The strong sales of Ray-Ban Meta drive continuous growth in the sales of AI glasses, with predicted sales increasing from 5.5 million pairs in 2025 to 7 million pairs, and from 11 million pairs in 2026 to 18 million pairs. By 2029, AI glasses are expected to become a billion-dollar market, with the market size reaching 149.96 billion yuan in 2030. AI glasses can be categorized into AI audio glasses, AI shooting glasses, and AI+AR glasses, with AI shooting glasses capturing over 90% of the market share in 2024. With ongoing technological updates and cost decreases, AI+AR glasses are expected to significantly enhance daily convenience through display functions, occupying nearly 2/3 of the market share by 2028 and becoming mainstream products. Both Meta and Alibaba are actively preparing for AI+AR glasses, with many leading technology companies planning to mass-produce multiple AI glasses in 2026 1) Meta launched its first consumer-grade AI+AR glasses, Meta RayBan Display, positioned as display-type AI glasses, which come with sEMG neuro-muscle wristbands. The product has received better-than-expected market feedback since its launch, leading to the postponement of international market expansion plans in favor of fulfilling orders in the United States. 2) Quark AI glasses S1 use dual optical engines for dual-eye display and offer more functions through ecological services. The product has been selling well since its launch, leading to the addition of a new assembly line in the Lixun factory, expecting full capacity release in January this year. 3) Leading technology companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple, and ByteDance plan to launch multiple AI glasses in 2026-2027, with CES showcasing multiple AI+AR glasses, further confirming the potential for AI+AR glasses to become mainstream products. The potential users of AI glasses are expanding from traditional glasses users to those with normal vision, and AI+AR glasses need to meet the core requirements of vision correction and display. The potential users of AI glasses are expanding to those with normal vision, and brands of AI and AR glasses are focusing more on traditional glasses users. For example, in Shenzhen, Quark, Rokid, and XREAL respectively have 86, 81, and 24 offline experience stores, with 62, 45, and 20 of them being traditional glasses stores. However, for traditional glasses users, the key variable that truly affects their acceptance of AI+AR glasses is whether they can provide display functions in addition to meeting the rigid requirement of vision correction, which places high demands on the lens craftsmanship. Challenges in integrating waveguide lenses and prescription lenses are urgently needed to be addressed, with research and customization capabilities creating a competitive advantage for leading lens manufacturing companies. Waveguide lenses are considered the most promising optical solution, with Rokid and Quark using concave-convex lenses to address the challenge of integrating waveguide lenses and prescription lenses. In terms of lens integration, Rokid and Quark use magnetic snap fasteners and integrated fitting solutions, with the latter showing better display effects and wearing experiences, potentially becoming the mainstream choice for integrating waveguide lenses and prescription lenses in the future. Integrated fitting solutions need to address the optical challenges posed by the multi-layer structure of AI+AR glasses lenses, as well as the challenges brought by the enhanced customization attributes, requiring lens manufacturing companies to have strong research and customization capabilities. Risk warning: Global AI glasses sales are lower than expected; AI+AR glasses penetration rate is lower than expected.