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Smart glasses drive next wave of growth as wearables market shifts beyond the wrist

November 13, 2025

The global wearables market is entering a new era, with smart glasses emerging as the standout growth category as traditional wrist-worn devices reach a more mature phase.

According to Futuresource Consulting’s Global Wearables Market Outlook 2025, innovation is accelerating beyond the wrist, signalling a shift in how consumers interact with connected technologies.

While global shipments of wrist-worn devices are still expected to grow—rising 4.8% in 2025 to nearly 210 million units, with retail value up 5.2%—the real dynamism lies in the next generation of form factors.

“The story in 2025 is one of nuanced evolution, not frenetic explosion,” says Nikolaos Tzoumerkas, Lead Analyst at Futuresource. “Smartwatches and sports watches are still part of the equation, but smart glasses are redefining what a wearable can be.”

Futuresource predicts smart glasses will ship 2.6 million units in 2025, up from 1.6 million this year—making them one of the fastest-growing segments in consumer tech. Growth is being driven by leading brands such as Meta, whose partnerships with Ray-Ban and Oakley blend fashion credentials with next-generation functionality.

Modern smart glasses now integrate high-quality cameras, AI assistants, connectivity tools and hands-free interaction into lightweight frames designed to look like everyday eyewear. This shift—from gadget to fashion-forward accessory—is helping to normalise the technology among mainstream consumers.

“Fashion collaborations and ecosystem integrations have absolutely transformed public perception,” says Tzoumerkas. “Smart glasses are no longer seen as niche tech. They’re lifestyle products, and consumers want to be seen wearing them.”

Smartwatches continue to dominate the wearables market, accounting for 94 million units in 2024 and maintaining steady annual growth of around 8%. Apple remains the global leader with a 48% market share, boosted by strong demand for the Series 11 and Ultra 3, as well as new FDA-cleared health features, including hypertension detection.

Sports watches are undergoing their own evolution, powered by AI-driven adaptive coaching that uses biometric data to personalise training and recovery recommendations. While Chinese brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Amazfit continue expanding in developing markets, performance specialists Garmin, Suunto and Polar maintain their foothold in Western countries.

One of the biggest shifts highlighted in the report is the convergence of smartwatches, glasses and mobile devices into a seamlessly connected ecosystem. On-device AI is becoming central to the experience, improving speed, privacy and energy efficiency while enabling more meaningful real-time insights.

“Wearables are now the digital portal to a much larger connected environment,” says Tzoumerkas. “With smart glasses gaining ground and AI moving to the edge, the next wave of growth will be defined by connected intelligence, effortless integration and elegant design.”

As consumers increasingly expect devices to blend functionality, aesthetics and cross-platform compatibility, smart glasses look set to become a defining product category of the next decade—ushering in a new chapter for connected technology.