China's smart-glasses sales jumped 120% year on year in the first eight months of 2026, the Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday, making the devices one of the fastest-growing categories in a consumer market where overall retail sales rose just 2.5%. Smart glasses are part of the 2026 trade-in subsidy program, which covers 15% of the price up to 500 yuan per item.
Domestic shipments are on track to reach about 4.5 million units this year, up 77.7% from 2025. Local brands are pushing prices down: Xiaomi's AI glasses sell for 1,999 yuan (about $280), against $799 for Meta's Ray-Ban Display in the US. Thunderbird Innovation led the Chinese consumer AI/AR market in the first half with a 24.8% share, followed by Rokid at 20%.
Meta still dominates the global market, but China is now the fastest-growing region for AI glasses, according to research firm Omdia. The surge comes alongside growing privacy concerns over camera-equipped eyewear.