Over a decade ago, tech companies and industry experts had created major hype around wearable technology, particularly smart glasses. A Deloitte report in 2014 envisioned a huge market for smart glasses while expecting fitness bands and smart watches to remain niche markets. Reality, however, played out quite differently, with actual sales being in thousands rather than in the millions projected by various reports; meanwhile, the smartwatch market exploded. Google Glass, launched in 2013 and once considered a breakthrough in spatial computing, never really took off even after being rebranded for enterprise use and was eventually discontinued. The product had its limitations and was perhaps ahead of its time.
Fast forward to 2025. Smart glasses are once again becoming a talking point. Meta is betting big on its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica. In fact, Mark Zuckerberg has made bold claims that they could eventually replace smartphones. Industry forecasts also seem positive. Grand View Research projects a revenue of $254.8 million by 2030 in the Indian smart glasses market, growing at a CAGR of 13.1 per cent from 2025 to 2030.
So, what is different now? What is making a disappearing technology regain traction? A look at the key shifts in technology, design, applications and market perception around smart glasses…
5G, AI and AR/VR opening up a world of possibilities
One of the main reasons smart glasses struggled in the past was that the supporting technology was not ready. Today, advances in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) have added significant value to smart glasses, which now have real-world applications across industries.
AR/VR: At their core, smart glasses are AR devices. Unlike smartphones, smart glasses project information directly into the user’s line of sight, seamlessly blending the virtual and real worlds. Some devices extend this further into a fully immersive experience using virtual reality (VR). Apple’s Vision Pro, for instance, blends content with the user’s physical space, creating an immersive entertainment experience.
5G: The initial models of smart glasses were limited by poor displays, low processing power and bandwidth constraints. The roll-out of 5G has increased their selling points with ultra-low latency, high-speed connectivity and new use cases. 5G-enabled glasses do not require heavy processors for high resolution video streaming and can perform complex functions without any lag. With edge computing, these glasses can perform instant face or object recognition and deliver real-time translation.
AI: The biggest leap has come from AI, which has magnified the appeal of smart glasses, functioning as wearable AI assistants that can see, hear and respond to the user’s environment in real time. AI-powered glasses can, for example, be used to scan famous landmarks, translate conversations, and identify animal breeds, exotic fruits, etc. Apart from their use in daily life, these glasses are being deployed across industries.
Smart, compact and multifunctional
The smart glasses now available in the market are far from the bulky design of Google Glass with a protruding prism. A blend of style and functionality, the Ray-Ban Meta or VITURE Luma Pro XR models are lightweight and look like regular eyewear. Some of the key features of contemporary models are:
Miniature displays: Technologies such as OLED and MicroLED project high resolution images with vivid colours and deep contrast.
AI integration: Either powered by AI assistants or onboard AI chips, smart glasses can respond to voice commands, describe objects, summarise or translate text in real time.
Next-generation connectivity: Smart glasses are integrated with 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 technologies, which ensure faster, seamless streaming, ultra-fast data transfers and reliable connectivity.
Advanced sensors and audio: Most smart glasses feature high resolution cameras (5-12 megapixels), microphones, built-in Bluetooth speakers, eye-tracking and motion sensors.
Improved battery life: With longer run times and wireless charging cases, they are practical for everyday use. Chamelo Music Shield glasses, for instance, can play music for up to 6.5 hours.
Real-world applications
The applications of smart glasses are rapidly expanding. These hands-free devices with a built-in camera and microphone are a game changer for content creators, vloggers and influencers, allowing them to record tutorials, live-stream events or capture experiences such as biking or scuba diving, all from a unique vantage point. They are ideal for capturing spontaneous moments like spotting a rare bird or having a wildlife encounter, where fumbling for a phone would mean missing the shot.
In manufacturing and logistics, smart glasses speed up product assembly and ensure timely order deliveries. In construction and heavy industries, they provide crucial safety benefits by identifying potential hazards and high-risk zones. Additionally, they give workers instant access to essential data or visual instructions. Companies can even send locally sourced, low-skilled technicians to job sites, guided remotely by high-skilled professionals, thereby significantly cutting travel costs and improving response times. In education, AR-enabled smart glasses can create interactive and immersive learning experiences for students.
The healthcare sector is also expected to benefit significantly from smart glasses. Doctors can stream surgeries or consultations with remote experts, improving diagnosis and care in underserved regions. For individuals with visual or auditory impairments, smart glasses can provide real-time navigation, speech-to-text transcription, or object recognition, enhancing their independence and quality of life. As the technology evolves, more innovative applications will emerge across sectors.
Early days for India’s smart eyewear market
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have finally come to India. Launched in partnership with Titan Eyewear, India’s leading optical retail chain, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are available at prices ranging from Rs 29,900 to Rs 35,700, depending on the style and lens configuration. The variants currently available include the Wayfarer in matte black and shiny black, and the Skyler in chalky grey and shiny black. Interestingly, Meta faces little competition in India at this stage.
While Lenskart has recently launched its Phonic smart glasses, these do not compare to the features offered by Ray-Ban Meta. With no cameras, sensors or app integration, the Phonic glasses are essentially regular spectacles with built-in speakers and voice assistant support, more like a mini version of Google Home or Alexa. That said, Lenskart is preparing to expand in the segment. At the Snapdragon for India XR Day held in New Delhi, the company announced a partnership with Qualcomm to integrate Snapdragon chipsets in its upcoming smart glasses. It has also made a strategic investment in Mumbai-based deep-tech start-up Ajna Lens, developer of the AjnaXR mixed reality headset. The goal is to combine Lenskart’s strength in eyewear design with Ajna’s deep-tech expertise to create functional and accessible smart glasses for everyday use.
At the Qualcomm event, the Xiaomi AI Glasses were also showcased, although no launch date for India was announced. In addition, Meta is planning to introduce its Oakley AI-powered smart eyewear line in India by the end of this year.
Privacy, safety and practicality concerns
Smart glasses face significant hurdles. For one, they can be a privacy nightmare. Glasses equipped with cameras can be problematic in settings where sensitive data is at risk. Employees could misuse recordings, leading to intellectual property theft, or individuals could be filmed without consent.
Further, some users have reported glitches such as the touchpad being unintentionally triggered by their hair. Moreover, wearing these glasses in public poses safety risks. Digital content appearing in the users’ field of view while walking, crossing a street, or shopping can cause disorientation, distraction, or accidents. As a result, users may only feel comfortable using them in stationary settings.
Further, due to the high price tag and the possibility of eye strain from extended use, many consumers are reluctant to buy smart glasses. Not everyone is willing to wear technology on their face, particularly those who have undergone corrective eye procedures such as LASIK and may resist the idea of returning to glasses.
Future of smart glasses
The fact that a pair of glasses can take voice instructions, translate and identify languages or capture moments show how far technology has come. Yet, these capabilities are not entirely new. Smart watches, smartphones and AI assistants already perform these functions. This raises important questions: are smart glasses truly transformative, or are they only adding to the growing clutter of personal gadgets? Could they be just another channel for collecting user data?
For now, smart glasses remain a luxury accessible to only a niche audience. However, they are rapidly advancing, with continuous improvements in design, functionality and technology. It is too soon to decide whether they will eventually replace smartphones, but they certainly seem here to stay this time.
Sugandha Khurana
