Smart Drima glasses are the next wave of growth as wearables in the over-the-wrist market
The Global Wearables market is entering a new era, with smart glasses emerging as a temporary growth segment as traditional wearable devices reach a more mature stage.
According to the 2025 Sports Outlook, innovation is accelerating beyond the wrist, signaling a shift in how consumers interact with connected technology.
While the global distribution of devices worn on the wrist is still expected to grow by 4.8% in 2025 to almost 210 million units, with a financial value of 5.2% – the real power – the real power is found in the next generation of the next things.
“The story in 2025 is one of a happy evolution, not a flonamer explosion,” said Nikolaos TZOUMerkas, futuruscen’s lead analyst. “SmartWatches and sports watches are still part of the equation, but smart glasses define what you wear.”
Futurebusceusceuscess predicts smart glasses will ship 2.6 million units by 2025, up from 1.6 million this year – making them one of the fastest growing segments of consumer technology. Growth is driven by leading brands such as meta, their partnership with Ray
Modern Smart glasses now include advanced cameras, AI assistants, communication tools and hands-free communication in lightweight frames designed to look like everyday eyewear. This shift—from a fashion gadget to a phone—is helping to ensure mainstream technology among mainstream consumers.
Tzoumerkas says: “The collaboration of fashion and environmental integration has completely changed the perception of the public,” says Tzoumerkas. “Smart glasses are no longer seen as niche tech. They are lifestyle products, and consumers want to be seen wearing them.”
Smartwatches continue to dominate the wearables market, accounting for 94 million units by 2024 and maintaining a strong annual growth of 8%. Apple remains the global leader with a market share of 48%, maintained by the strong demand for series 11 and Ultra 3 health clearances, and new FDA health features, including hypertension detection.
Sports watches face their own evolution, powered by Adi-addive coaching that uses biometric data to personalize training and recovery recommendations. While Chinese brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Amaziyamit continue to expand in developing markets, performance experts Garmin, Suunto and Polar have maintained their place in the West.
One of the biggest shifts highlighted in this report is the transformation of smartwatches, glasses and mobile devices into a seamlessly connected ecosystem. AI is instrumental in that experience, improving speed, privacy and energy efficiency while enabling truly meaningful insights.
“Wearables are now a digital portal to a large connected world,” said Tzoumerkas. “With smart glasses for ground detection and ai moving to the edge, the next wave of growth will be defined by connected intelligence, seamless integration and good design.”
As consumers expect devices to combine functionality, aesthetics and cross-compatibility, smart glasses look set to become the next product category of the next decade of connected technology.
