The wearables market is experiencing a shift as new smart glasses technology emerges. According to the Global Wearables Market Outlook 2025 report from Futuresource Consulting, the new wave of smart glasses is reshaping how consumers think about connected wearable ecosystems.
New information from the report reveals that wrist-worn wearables are forecast to experience a global rise of 4.8% by the end of this year, achieving nearly 210 million units with retail value climbing 5.2%. Other form factors, will be driving the category forward.
“The story in 2025 is one of nuanced evolution, not frenetic explosion,” says Nikolaos Tzoumerkas, Lead Analyst at Futuresource Consulting. “Smartwatches and sports watches are still part of the equation, but smart glasses are redefining what a wearable can be. They’re merging lifestyle, health and connectivity in entirely new ways, and consumers are sitting up and paying attention.”
Futuresource expects smart glasses to ship 2.6 million units in 2025, up from 1.6 million the year before, marking one of the fastest-growing segments in consumer electronics. Led by Meta’s partnerships with Ray-Ban and Oakley, success lies in pairing fashion with function. The category is being reshaped, with lightweight eyewear that integrates cameras, AI assistants and connectivity to deliver real-time, hands-free interaction with style.
Smartwatches is still the largest wearable category by some way, accounting for 94 million units in 2024 and continuing steady growth at around 8% annually. Apple leads, with 48% of the global market, bolstered by the success of the Series 11 and Ultra 3, as well as new FDA-cleared health features such as hypertension alerts.
Meanwhile, sports watches are finding their footing with AI-driven adaptive coaching, using real-time biometric feedback to tailor training and recovery recommendations. As Chinese brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Amazfit are consolidating their reach in developing markets, Garmin, Suunto and Polar continue to dominate the performance segment in the West.
With the evolution of wearables, integration across devices is becoming seamless. Smartwatches, glasses and mobile devices are converging into a connected ecosystem that supports real-time interaction and personalised insights. The rise of on-device AI processing is also transforming user experiences, enabling faster responses, improved privacy and lower power consumption.
The Global Wearables Market Outlook 2025 report provides five-year forecasts and analysis across smartwatches, sports watches, kids’ wearables and smart glasses, alongside detailed vendor performance, feature evolution and category trends.
To learn more or purchase the full report, please contact [email protected].
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