Meta has delayed the global launch schedule of its display-equipped smart glasses, "Meta Ray-Ban Display." The move comes as demand in the United States far exceeded expectations, disrupting inventory procurement.
On the 6th (local time), Meta said on its official blog that "Meta Ray-Ban Display is a product released in limited quantities," and "after release, it received unprecedented interest, with back orders extending into 2026." Accordingly, it said it has temporarily halted its planned expansion into overseas markets such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada, originally slated for early 2026, and will prioritize fulfilling orders in the United States.
The product was first unveiled in the United States in September last year and has been sold locally for $799 since the end of the same month. It drew attention as the first case of a glasses-type device equipped with a display.
With Meta's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, it enables voice-based real-time conversations, and the display shows voice as subtitles to provide real-time translation. Meta also introduced a newly added teleprompter feature that can display scripts on the glasses screen for recent announcements or speeches.
Meta has been developing smart glasses in partnership with global eyeglasses manufacturer EssilorLuxottica since 2019 and renewed its long-term partnership agreement in 2024.
Meanwhile, U.S. big tech corporations, including Meta, are competing to dominate the AI smart glasses market. Google announced a collaboration with eyeglasses brand Warby Parker in May last year, and Apple is also reportedly developing related products.