Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Revolutionize Wearable Tech Market

Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica is reshaping the wearable technology landscape. The world’s largest eyewear manufacturer reported that Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses sales tripled by mid-year, significantly boosting the company’s third-quarter performance. With an 11.7% year-over-year revenue increase, 4% of EssilorLuxottica’s growth came directly from Meta wearables, demonstrating the massive market potential for AI-powered eyewear.

From Niche to Mainstream Technology

EssilorLuxottica’s CFO Stefano Grassi emphasized the transformative potential during the company’s earnings call, stating that “glasses will materially replace most of the functionality that today we have embedded into our phones.” Since launching the $299 Ray-Ban Meta in October 2023, Meta has sold over two million units. The devices enable users to capture photos and videos, make calls, send messages via voice commands, interact with Meta AI, and play music—all from wearable glasses.

Competition Heats Up in Silicon Valley

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that smart glasses adoption mirrors historically successful consumer electronics. The momentum prompted Meta to acquire a minority stake of nearly 3% in EssilorLuxottica for approximately $3.5 billion in 2024. The company also released the premium $499 Oakley smartglasses in June, targeting athletes with enhanced recording capabilities and extended battery life.

The success has sparked industry-wide interest, with Apple, Google, and Amazon reportedly developing their own smart glasses. Google is collaborating with Warby Parker on AI eyewear, intensifying competition in this emerging category. As tech giants race to capitalize on smart glasses demand, EssilorLuxottica’s strategic position as the industry’s dominant manufacturer positions it perfectly for continued growth in this revolutionary sector.