Meta postpones global release of Ray-Ban Display glasses due to high US demand and supply issues

• Waitlists for the smart glasses now extend well into 2026 due to 'overwhelming' interest since the fall 2025 launch
• Meta will prioritize US order fulfillment while pausing international expansion due to 'extremely limited inventory' for what it calls a 'first-of-its-kind product'
• New features announced at CES include a teleprompter function and expanded pedestrian navigation to 32 cities total, controlled via Meta's Neural Band wrist device

Summary: Meta Postpones Global Release of Ray-Ban Display Glasses

Key Development:

Meta announced on January 6 that it is pausing international expansion of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to supply constraints and overwhelming U.S. demand. The company will prioritize fulfilling domestic orders while re-evaluating its international rollout strategy.

Critical Supply Issues:

• Product waitlists now extend into 2026, reflecting "extremely limited inventory"
• Meta describes the glasses as a "first-of-its-kind product" experiencing unprecedented demand since launching last fall
• The company cited an "overwhelming amount of interest" beyond initial projections

Product Details:

The Ray-Ban Display glasses, developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica's Ray-Ban brand, enable users to take photos, stream content, and interact with an AI assistant. In October, EssilorLuxottica announced plans to hire additional staff to support the booming smart glasses business.

New Features Announced:

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Meta unveiled enhancements including:

• Teleprompter feature allowing users to read notes and scroll via the Meta Neural Band wrist device
• Expanded pedestrian navigation to four additional cities (Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, Salt Lake City), bringing total coverage to 32 cities

Market Implications:

The supply shortage and delayed international expansion signal both strong product-market fit and potential production bottlenecks in Meta's hardware ambitions. The extended waitlist suggests significant revenue opportunities but also highlights operational challenges in scaling wearable technology manufacturing to meet demand.