A new report from Smart Analytics Global (SAG) predicts a massive surge for the AI smart glasses market, and Apple Glasses are positioned as the primary catalyst. The firm calls for 2026 to be a breakout year, with sales jumping from 6 million to 20 million units. However, the real inflection point is expected around 2027, when Apple is rumored to finally enter the space.

SAG believes Apple’s device will accelerate mainstream adoption based on three core strengths: industrial design, fashion appeal, and deep ecosystem integration. These are the same pillars that made the Apple Watch a massive success. While the company's design team has changed significantly since Jony Ive's departure, Apple's reputation for hardware excellence remains intact.

Despite the hype, SAG predicts smart glasses will co-exist with smartphones rather than replace them. By 2030, annual sales are projected to hit 75 million units, with heads-up display models dominating the market. For Apple, this represents a major opportunity to define a new wearable category just as it did with watches and earbuds.