Alex's AR/VR Landscape

Meta Quest5 generations

MetashippinghallmarkPassthrough Headset

Meta's flagship headset and the reference MR device for developers; Meta leads XR shipments (Counterpoint Q2 2026: 54%).

XR2 Gen 2, pancake lenses, 2064x2208 per eye, depth sensor, color passthrough MR.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment · Fitness, health & accessibility · Social, video & media consumption

first rumored 2016-10announced 2018-09released 2019-05expected Released 2023-10-10

Family: Quest Pro stays its own node. Quest 3 is the current flagship generation (3S is the budget variant). 'Griffin' is the leaked next Quest.

New flagship of the best-selling AI glasses line (Connect, Sep 23 2026); inherits Ray-Ban Meta distribution but only weeks on sale, so slightly below Gen 2.

Slimmer frame, action button, 9h battery, 6-mic array, 12MP / 3K video, Dolby Atmos capture coming.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption · Fitness, health & accessibility

first rumored 2020-09announced 2021-09released 2021-09expected Released 2026-09-23

Family: Ray-Ban Meta Audio (audio-only, no camera) and the Meta Glasses / Oakley lines stay separate products.

Meta Glasses (own brand: Adventurer, Fury, Starfire/Kylie, Capri, Nova)

Meta + EssilorLuxotticashippingCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

Meta's cheaper own-brand line; IDC credits it (lower-cost options without fashion branding) for part of Meta's Q2 2026 growth.

Ray-Ban Meta tech in Meta-branded frames; Muse Spark-powered Meta AI from day 1; lower price tier.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2026-06released 2026-06expected Released 2026-06-23

Oakley Meta HSTN

Meta + EssilorLuxottica (Oakley)shippingCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

Oakley Meta (HSTN + Vanguard) made up >30% of Meta's smart-glasses shipments in Q4 2025 (Counterpoint via heise).

3K camera, IPX4, open-ear audio, ~8h battery; Performance AI glasses.

Use cases: Fitness, health & accessibility · AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2025-06released 2025-07expected Released 2025-07-11

Apple Vision Pro2 generations

AppleshippinghallmarkPassthrough Headset

Defines the spatial-computer category and visionOS developer platform (high mindshare), but sales are small: ~390K units in 2024 and ~45K in Q4 2025 (IDC via FT). Centrality comes from platform influence, not volume.

M5 + R1, micro-OLED, Dual Knit Band, eye/hand input; original M2 model Feb 2024.

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs) · Enterprise, industrial, defense, medical & training

first rumored 2017-11announced 2023-06released 2024-02expected Released 2025-10-22

Family: N224 (lighter/cheaper Vision headset) is a different product and stays separate.

Oakley Meta Vanguard

Meta + EssilorLuxottica (Oakley)shippingCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

Sports-focused Oakley Meta; part of the >30% Oakley share of Meta Q4 2025 shipments; narrower audience than Ray-Ban Meta.

Centered wide-FOV camera, IP67, louder speakers, Garmin/Strava integration, ~9h battery.

Use cases: Fitness, health & accessibility · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2025-09released 2025-10expected Released 2025-10-21

VITURE Beast

VITUREshippingDisplay / birdbath glasses (tethered screens)

VITURE holds ~6% of AR+VR shipments (Counterpoint Q2 2026) and was #4 in IDC Q1 2026 (2.5%) after US retail expansion and the Beast launch.

VITURE's widest-FOV XR display glasses; tethered.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment · Spatial computing & productivity · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2026-01released 2026-04expected Released 2026-04-27

XREAL Air / One2 generations

XREALshippinghallmarkDisplay / birdbath glasses (tethered screens)

XREAL holds 2.5% of smart glasses+XR shipments (IDC Q2 2026, #4 vendor); a leader in tethered display glasses.

Flat-prism optics, ~57° FOV, X1 chip, 3DoF anchoring; tethered display glasses.

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · VR gaming, mods & entertainment · AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs)

announced 2021-09released 2021-12expected Released 2025

Family: Display-glasses line (Air -> Air 2 -> One -> One Pro). Nreal Light (6DoF developer AR glasses) and XREAL Aura (Android XR) are distinct lines and stay separate.

Meta Ray-Ban Display2 generations

Meta + EssilorLuxotticashippinghallmarkSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsetsCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

Most-watched display glasses; supply-constrained (international rollout paused Jan 2026 on US demand, Reuters); component orders revised up to 150K for 2026 (TrendForce). Small volume vs Ray-Ban Meta.

Monocular 600x600 waveguide display, sEMG Neural Band, 12MP camera.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption · Spatial computing & productivity

first rumored 2024-08announced 2025-09released 2025-09expected Released 2025-09-30

Family: Hypernova 2 (reported binocular successor) is a future generation.

Even Realities G2 (+ R1 ring)

Even RealitiesshippingSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

11% of the AR & AI glasses segment in H1 2026 (Counterpoint); the best-known camera-free HUD glasses in the West.

Camera-free green monochrome HUD, prescription, teleprompter / translation / notes.

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · AI assistant & everyday wear

announced 2025-11released 2025-11expected Released 2025-11-12

RayNeo X3 Pro (and RayNeo Air display-glasses line)

RayNeo (TCL)shippingSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsetsDisplay / birdbath glasses (tethered screens)

RayNeo is the #2 vendor (3.6% IDC Q2 2026; 7% of AR+VR per Counterpoint), mostly from low-cost display glasses; the X3 Pro is its waveguide flagship.

Binocular full-color microLED waveguide AR glasses with camera; Air series are cheaper birdbath viewers.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2024-11released 2025-12expected Released 2025-12

Rokid Glasses (and Rokid AI Glasses Style)

RokidshippingSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsetsCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

Leads the AR & AI glasses segment with 41% in H1 2026 (Counterpoint), mostly China; a small segment overall.

49g binocular waveguide display + camera, AI assistant, translation.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity

announced 2024-11released 2025expected Released 2025

Bigscreen Beyond 2 / 2e

BigscreenshippingPC VR / tethered & high-end VR headsets

Enthusiast PC VR (VRChat, sim racing); 'tens of thousands' shipped (Bigscreen); sales rose with Steam Frame interest.

107g micro-OLED PC VR headset, 116° FOV, SteamVR tracking.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2025-04released 2025expected Released 2025

Valve Steam Frame

ValveshippinghallmarkPC VR / tethered & high-end VR headsetsPassthrough Headset

Valve's first headset since Index with Steam's install base behind it; strong enthusiast pull (Bigscreen reports a sales boost from Steam Frame shoppers), but supply is still invite-gated.

Standalone SteamOS + PC streaming; SteamOS 0.4 (Oct 8); 200+ Steam Frame Verified games; CAD files published.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment

first rumored 2021-08announced 2025-11released 2026-09expected Released 2026-09-14

Samsung Galaxy XR

Samsung + GoogleshippingPassthrough Headset

Launch device for Android XR (platform significance), but only 3 countries and no sales figures; Samsung is not in IDC's or Counterpoint's top 5.

First Android XR headset; Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, micro-OLED, Gemini.

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · AI assistant & everyday wear · VR gaming, mods & entertainment

first rumored 2023-02announced 2024-12released 2025-10expected Released 2025-10-21

Xiaomi is #3 in IDC Q1 2026 (3.1%) and #5 in Q2 (2.3%) on China shipments, and was #2 smart-glasses vendor in H2 2025 per Counterpoint.

Camera AI glasses with Xiao AI; Xiaomi also sells audio glasses globally.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2025-06released 2025-06expected Released 2025-06

Pico3 generations

Pico / ByteDanceshippingPassthrough Headset

Pico holds ~6% of AR+VR shipments (Counterpoint Q2 2026), mostly China/EU; no US sales.

XR2 Gen 2, 12GB RAM, pancake lenses, depth sensor, motion trackers.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment · Fitness, health & accessibility · Social, video & media consumption

first rumored 2024-08announced 2021-05released 2021-05expected Released 2024-09-20

Family: Pico Space Pro (passthrough/enterprise headset) is a different product and stays separate.

Pimax Crystal Super

PimaxshippingPC VR / tethered & high-end VR headsets

High-end sim niche; Pimax is not in any top-5 share table.

Swappable optical engines (50/57 PPD), wide FOV; sim-racing / flight-sim niche.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment

announced 2024-04released 2025expected Released 2025

Alibaba is #3 in IDC Q2 2026 (2.6%) and holds 7% of the AR & AI glasses segment (Counterpoint H1 2026); China-only.

Qwen-powered AI glasses; S1 has dual displays, G1 is display-less.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity

first rumored 2025-07announced 2025-07released 2025-11expected Released 2025-11

Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen)

AmazonshippinghallmarkAudio-only smart glasses

The main Alexa audio glasses but aging (2023) and discounted; no share data; Amazon not in top-5 tables.

Camera-free audio glasses with Alexa (Alexa+ listing), open-ear speakers.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Fitness, health & accessibility

announced 2023-09released 2023-11expected Released 2023

Meta VR Glasses (ex-Puffin/Phoenix)

MetaannouncedPassthrough Headset

Meta's next VR device at $1,299.99 (spring 2027), from the 68.7%-share vendor; could reset the headset form factor.

$1,299.99; ~100g on head, ~300g compute/battery puck via tether; 2412x2288 per eye; full-color passthrough; face tracking/codec avatars; Horizon OS. (Taxonomy note: mapped to passthrough_headset (taxonomy v3: standalone merged into passthrough); it is a tethered-puck VR headset.)

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment · Social, video & media consumption · Spatial computing & productivity

first rumored 2024-08announced 2026-03expected Spring 2027

PlayStation VR2 generations

SonyshippingPC VR / tethered & high-end VR headsetsPassthrough Headset

Sony holds ~6% of AR+VR shipments (Counterpoint Q2 2026), but the US store is out of stock, an online game was shut down, and there is no successor: fading.

Tethered to PS5 (PC adapter), OLED, eye tracking. Sony sold XR patents to Meta (Oct 2026); no successor found.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment

announced 2014-03released 2016-10expected Released 2023-02-22

Mentra Live

MentrashippingCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

Developer-oriented open camera glasses; small volume; notable as an open alternative to Meta.

Camera glasses on open-source MentraOS with an app store; livestreaming.

Use cases: AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs) · AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2025-07released 2026-01expected Released 2026-01

Apple entering AI glasses would be the biggest new competitor to Ray-Ban Meta; Bloomberg-reported, WWDC 2027 unveil.

Display-free, iPhone-dependent; cameras (possibly capture-blocked or removed for privacy), mics, speakers, Siri/Visual Intelligence; health tracking expected later. Slipped twice (late-2026 reveal -> WWDC 2027).

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Fitness, health & accessibility · Social, video & media consumption

first rumored 2024-10expected Unveil WWDC Jun 2027, ship by end of 2027

Meta's first camera-free audio glasses, shipping Oct 13 via Ray-Ban distribution; becomes the audio-glasses reference product.

Meta's first audio glasses: no camera, 43g, open-ear audio, 12h battery (+48h case), Clubmaster & Burbank, prescription-ready; FDA-cleared hearing enhancement add-on coming ($149.99).

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Fitness, health & accessibility · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2026-09released 2026-10expected Ships Oct 13 2026 (pre-order open, from $349)

Samsung Intelligent Eyewear (Android XR; Gentle Monster & Warby Parker frames)

Samsung + Google + Gentle Monster + Warby ParkerannouncedCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)

First Android XR glasses from Samsung/Google with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker; dated Nov 2026; the main Ray-Ban Meta challenger.

Display-less; camera, mics, speakers; Gemini; heavy AI offloaded to Galaxy phone; ~5g lighter than Ray-Ban Meta; LED indicator + auto camera disable; reported US price $349-$499; FCC SM-O200J (Gentle Monster) / SM-O200P (Warby Parker).

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption

first rumored 2025-05announced 2026-07expected November 2026 (US & South Korea)

Halliday G2

HallidayshippingSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsetsAudio-only smart glasses

Early-stage startup; just started shipping; no share data.

Tiny monocular display module in the frame (no waveguide lens), proactive AI agent, no camera.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity

announced 2026released 2026-09expected Released 2026-09-15

Snap Spectacles / Specs4 generations

SnapannouncedSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

Snap's first consumer AR glasses at $2,195 (pre-orders; ships this fall); high profile but a niche price.

$2,195 ($200 refundable deposit); $2,395 with cellular charging case; SPECS Intelligence anticipatory AI; Lens Studio apps; demos at Westfield Century City from Oct 1.

Use cases: AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs) · AI assistant & everyday wear · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2016-09released 2016-11expected Ships later in fall 2026 (US, UK, France); preorders open

Family: Specs (2026) joins as the next generation: Snap positions it as the consumer successor of the 2024 developer Spectacles.

Brilliant Labs Halo

Brilliant LabsshippingCamera + audio AI glasses (no display)See-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

Small open-source startup; no share data.

Open-source AI glasses with color micro-OLED display, camera, bone-conduction audio; 'Noa' agent with long-term memory.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs)

announced 2025-07released 2026-08expected Released 2026-08

XREAL AURA (Android XR wired XR glasses; ex-Project Aura)

XREALannouncedDisplay / birdbath glasses (tethered screens)

First Android XR wired XR glasses from the #4 glasses vendor; ships mid-November.

$1,279 (12GB/256GB) / $1,499 (16GB/512GB); ~70 deg FOV; <100g; tethered compute puck; Gemini; Founder's Edition 2,000 units (pay by Oct 17).

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · Social, video & media consumption · VR gaming, mods & entertainment

first rumored 2025-05announced 2026-10expected Ships mid-Nov 2026 (US, CA, JP, KR); wider 2027

Well-funded Oculus-founder startup ($307.6M raised); announced 2027 but with no specs.

Voice-first, all-day glasses built around Sesame's conversational assistant; frames hand-made in Japan; high-end/artisanal positioning. No price, specs, camera or display details disclosed (form factor tag is provisional).

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear

first rumored 2025-02announced 2026-10expected 2027 (year only)

Next Vision headset; reported pushed to 2028-2029 and 'on life support'.

~4 concepts incl. lighter all-in-one and an external-puck design (like Meta VR Glasses).

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · Social, video & media consumption · AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs)

first rumored 2023-07expected Late 2028-early 2029 if at all ('on life support')

Amazon consumer HUD glasses; Reuters/The Information, late 2026-2027.

Full-color display in one eye, mics, speakers, camera; Alexa integration.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity

first rumored 2025-09expected Late 2026 or early 2027 (Sep 2025 target; no 2026 update found)

Pico Space Pro (ex-Project Swan)

Pico / ByteDanceannouncedPassthrough Headset

ByteDance's Vision Pro-class headset; China-announced, US listing Feb 2027 at $2,899.

Dual 4K micro-OLED, dual-chip compute, eye/hand tracking, Pico OS 6; SDK videos showed an external module.

Use cases: Spatial computing & productivity · Enterprise, industrial, defense, medical & training · Social, video & media consumption

first rumored 2026-03announced 2026-09expected China launch event Sep 2 2026; US reseller lists Feb 2027 at $2,899 (enterprise config)

Samsung's display Android XR glasses; reported for late 2027.

Microdisplay ~0.2in or smaller; monocular vs binocular undecided.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity

first rumored 2026-09expected Late 2027

Meta AR glasses (Orion / Artemis)2 generations

MetaannouncedSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

Meta's Connect 2024 true-AR product prototype; the industry reference for glasses-sized wide-FOV AR, but never for sale (internal dev kit).

Shown at Meta Connect 2024: ~98 g glasses with silicon carbide waveguides and microLED projectors, ~70 deg diagonal FOV; wireless compute puck; EMG neural wristband plus eye/hand tracking and voice; Meta AI, AR games, video calls, virtual screens. Meta put cost at roughly $10,000 per unit and said it will not sell it.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity · Social, video & media consumption

first rumored 2021-10announced 2024-09expected Not for sale: internal dev kit / demos to select external audiences since Connect 2024 (Sep 25, 2024); consumer successor is Artemis

Family: Artemis is reported as the consumer successor of the Orion prototype.

Anduril EagleEye MR helmet (Army SBMC)

Anduril (+ Meta)announcedSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

Army SBMC mixed-reality helmet with Meta; defense-only but high-profile.

Mixed-reality helmet/visor for soldiers (successor path to IVAS).

Use cases: Enterprise, industrial, defense, medical & training

first rumored 2025-05announced 2025-10expected Prototype phase: $159M Army prototype contract (Oct 2026)

Enterprise-only and winding down (reseller sales end Dec 31 2026); Magic Leap now works with Google as an optics partner.

Enterprise optical see-through AR, dimming, 70° diagonal FOV.

Use cases: Enterprise, industrial, defense, medical & training · AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs)

first rumored 2014-10announced 2017-12released 2018-08expected Released 2022-09-30

Family: The Google x Magic Leap glasses prototype is a separate (Google-led) product.

ByteDance AI glasses gen 2 for China; low-confidence report.

First-gen scrapped; two display-less models: full camera/speaker model and ~20g light camera+mic model.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear

first rumored 2026expected H2 2026 (China); 3rd gen 2027

Camera Echo Frames; single 2025 report.

Next Echo Frames model adding a camera (successor to audio-only Echo Frames).

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear

first rumored 2025-09expected 'soon' per Sep 2025 report; no launch seen since

Google x Magic Leap Android XR display-glasses prototype

Google + Magic LeapannouncedSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

Google x Magic Leap reference prototype; no product plan.

Prototype shown Oct 2025; Magic Leap as optics/AR ecosystem partner, not a consumer brand.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · AR apps, dev tools & platforms (Unity, WebXR, SDKs)

announced 2025-10expected No date (reference design; partnership extended)

Pimax Crystal Pro

PimaxannouncedPC VR / tethered & high-end VR headsets

Sim-enthusiast PC VR; ships 2027.

$1,399 / $1,899 with 60GHz wireless + Spation mini-PC; 2880x2880 QLED per eye.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment

announced 2026-10expected Demos Q4 2026; ships 2027

Legacy node (discontinued; kept for historical links).

Projected AR onto a retroreflective game board; shipped to backers late 2021.

Use cases: VR gaming, mods & entertainment · Social, video & media consumption

announced 2019-10released 2021-11expected Released 2021-11-01

Kickstarter SiC-waveguide glasses; delivery estimate Oct 2026; Guttag is skeptical.

Claimed lightest full-color SiC waveguide AR glasses (~49g); ~30 deg FOV per Guttag; Kickstarter Aug 18-Sep 17 2026.

Use cases: AI assistant & everyday wear · Spatial computing & productivity

announced 2026-09expected Kickstarter est. delivery Oct 2026

Defense display platform; evaluation units only.

Waveguide display platform for defense customers.

Use cases: Enterprise, industrial, defense, medical & training

announced 2026-09expected Evaluation units shipping (Sep 29 2026); production TBD

Microsoft HoloLens2 generations

MicrosoftdiscontinuedSee-through waveguide AR glasses & AR headsets

Discontinued but still the enterprise AR reference point; kept as a predecessor node.

Enterprise waveguide AR headset (army IVAS derived from it).

Use cases: Enterprise, industrial, defense, medical & training

announced 2015-01released 2016-03discontinued 2024-10expected Released 2019-11-07