Meta Plans to Double Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Production Amid High Demand

Jan 13 (GeokHub) Meta Platforms Inc. and eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica are weighing plans to significantly expand production of their AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses, as demand for the device continues to outpace supply.

According to a Bloomberg News report published Tuesday, the companies are considering doubling annual production capacity to 20 million units by the end of 2026. The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said output could potentially exceed 30 million units annually if market conditions remain favorable. However, no final decision has been made.

GeokHub was unable to independently verify the report. EssilorLuxottica declined to comment, while Meta did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

The European eyewear manufacturer, which produces Ray-Ban glasses and serves as Meta’s hardware partner, is already nearing its current production target of 10 million pairs, a milestone it expects to reach by late 2026. In October, EssilorLuxottica announced plans to accelerate manufacturing capacity in response to rapid growth in the smart glasses segment.

Meta and EssilorLuxottica began their partnership in 2019, launching the first Ray-Ban–branded smart glasses in 2021. The devices were positioned as a step toward reducing reliance on smartphones, allowing users to take photos and videos through discreet in-lens cameras, stream content to Meta’s platforms, and interact with an AI assistant through voice commands.

Last week, Meta confirmed it had paused international expansion of the Ray-Ban Display glasses due to supply constraints, prioritizing shipments to the U.S. market as demand continues to climb.

The expansion talks come at a challenging time for Meta’s hardware ambitions. The company is reportedly cutting more than 1,000 jobs from its Reality Labs division, according to a separate Bloomberg News report. Reality Labs, which oversees Meta’s virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality initiatives—including Meta Quest headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses—has recorded losses exceeding $60 billion since 2020.

Despite the financial strain, the renewed focus on smart glasses highlights Meta’s belief that wearable AI devices could play a central role in the future of consumer technology.