Xiaomi is rapidly becoming one of the biggest names in the smart glasses market. According to data from Counterpoint Research for the first quarter of 2026, global smart glasses sales grew by 83% year-over-year , driven by strong demand for augmented reality glasses and screenless AI smart glasses. In China, Xiaomi, including Mijia, held the top spot with a 28% market share , ahead of Alibaba at 21% and Li Auto at 3%. This demonstrates that Xiaomi’s ecosystem strategy is expanding beyond phones, wearables, electric vehicles, and smart home products.
AR and AI glasses are growing at a rapid pace
Counterpoint’s data covers three main categories: virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, and screenless smart glasses . The overall market grew strongly, but not all categories followed the same trend.
Virtual reality ( VR ) headsets saw a 17% year-over-year decline , reflecting lower demand for traditional immersive headsets. Meanwhile, augmented reality (AR) glasses experienced a 136% surge , while screenless smart glasses skyrocketed by 210%. This suggests that users are increasingly opting for lighter, more practical wearable products that support AI, voice control, camera functions, translation, notifications, and ecosystem services.
The AR glasses segment is also undergoing technical changes. Birdbath and planar prism designs still lead the market, but their share has fallen from 82% to 58%. Waveguide-based AR glasses have increased from 18% to 42% , demonstrating that more and more brands are investing in thinner and more advanced optical systems.
Affected devices / Market segments
Smart glasses market share in China in the first quarter of 2026:
- Xiaomi / Mijia: 28%
- Alibaba: 21%
- Li Auto: 3%
- Rokid: 3%
- Other: 45%
Global segment growth:
- Smart glasses overall: +83% year-on-year
- Screenless smart glasses: +210% year-on-year
- AR glasses: +136% year-on-year
- Virtual reality glasses: -17% year-on-year
Xiaomi finds a new battleground in the ecosystem
Xiaomi’s 28% market share in China is significant because smart glasses are becoming a new category of devices within the ecosystem. For Xiaomi, it’s not just about selling another wearable. Smart glasses can connect with Xiaomi HyperOS , smartphones, tablets, smart home devices, AI services, and future in-car experiences.
This is also where Xiaomi has a clear advantage. The company already boasts one of the most robust connected device ecosystems in China. If smart glasses evolve into everyday AI assistants, Xiaomi can leverage its hardware scale, the power of the Mijia brand, and its expertise with HyperConnect to compete with both internet companies and automotive brands.
The industry as a whole is moving in the same direction. Counterpoint also notes that Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi are rapidly growing in the AI glasses market, while the entry of smartphone and automakers reflects a broader shift toward ecosystem-based competition in the smart glasses space.
