Emir BardakçıIDC just released its latest numbers, and China’s smart eyewear market is seeing a surge that’s hard to ignore. Shipments for Q2 2025 shot up by 145%, landing at 664,000 units. That’s substantial growth for any sector—especially wearables.
A big driver? Audio and audio-capturing glasses. Shipments for this segment jumped 257%, reaching 514,000 units in a single quarter. Much of this is thanks to aggressive product launches: Xiaomi’s latest AI glasses and the Thunderbird V3 are setting the pace. Together, these products helped audio-capturing models grab nearly a 20% share of the overall smart eyewear market for the quarter. Xiaomi, in particular, continues to leverage its brand and distribution muscle to capitalize on rising demand. For more product specifics, it’s easy to consult Xiaomi’s official channels.
Snapshot of AR/VR Market Trends
While audio-focused glasses are leading right now, China’s AR/VR segment isn’t exactly lagging. Q2 AR/VR shipments climbed to 150,000 units, up almost 19% year-on-year. AR made the biggest move, capturing 76% market share in its category and growing nearly 62%. The success is tied to new entrants like the Thunderbird Air 3S and steady performance from the Xreal One. The VR/MR market, however, continues to face hurdles, declining 36% year-on-year—a clearly divergent trend within the wearables landscape.
Forecast: 2025 and Beyond
IDC’s forecast for the rest of 2025 looks equally bullish. Total smart glasses shipments in China are projected to hit 2.85 million units—a leap of over 116%. The audio and audio-capturing segment should account for the lion’s share, expected to total 2.2 million units (up 183%). Meanwhile, AR/VR shipments should reach around 644,000 units, translating to roughly 20% annual growth.
Sources: IT Home
