The Apple Vision Pro, which once took the internet by storm with its sleek, high-tech design, was originally expected to spark a revolution in AR glasses, but ultimately failed to replicate the growth success of the first-generation iPhone. In contrast, across the ocean in Shenzhen, China, a host of local companies have leveraged their hardware expertise to catch up and overtake the competition, emerging as the most dynamic players in the wave of “Shenzhen goods going global.”

According to third-party data, one out of every two pairs of AI glasses sold worldwide today is made in Shenzhen.

The rise of Shenzhen’s AI glasses is driven by solid product design and keen market insight. As a leading company in the industry, LeEco Innovation firmly holds the top spot in the global AR glasses market with a 24% market share. The company’s X3 Pro, the world’s first mass-produced full-color MicroLED waveguide AR glasses, has overcome five major technical challenges. Weighing just 76 grams, the lightweight device is powered by the high-performance Snapdragon AR1 flagship chip and features the industry’s first AI Agent app store. From real-time translation to smart navigation, these features are all accessible with a single tap, and the product quickly became a hit in Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia after its launch.

It’s not just Thunderbird Innovation; Shenzhen’s tech scene is seeing a surge of competitors. XREAL remains firmly in the global top tier of consumer-grade AR glasses with screens; the “AI Snap Glasses,” launched by Lehuo Glasses in collaboration with Shanjie Technology and Yuntian Lifai, feature hands-free first-person perspective filming and voice interaction. The initial batch of 50,000 units sold out on the day of release, propelling the product into the global top ten for consumer-grade smart glasses sales.......

The Apple Vision Pro retails for as much as 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, and with a weight of over 600 grams resting on the head, it feels more like a “diving mask,” making the wearing experience somewhat cumbersome. In contrast, the practicality of Shenzhen’s AI glasses stands out even more. Shenzhen-made AI glasses generally weigh just a few dozen grams, look no different from ordinary sunglasses, and cost only a fraction of Apple’s price—yet their functionality is in no way inferior. Whether it’s watching big-screen movies while lying in bed, simultaneous interpretation during overseas travel, recording office meetings and transcribing them to text, or capturing first-person footage while exercising, this all-scenario coverage has made them the “new travel essential” for consumers abroad.It’s not just Thunderbird Innovation; Shenzhen’s tech scene is seeing a surge of competitors. XREAL remains firmly in the global top tier of consumer-grade AR glasses with screens; the “AI Snap Glasses,” launched by Lehuo Glasses in collaboration with Shanjie Technology and Yuntian Lifai, feature hands-free first-person perspective filming and voice interaction. The initial batch of 50,000 units sold out on the day of release, propelling the product into the global top ten for consumer-grade smart glasses sales.......

The Apple Vision Pro retails for as much as 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, and with a weight of over 600 grams resting on the head, it feels more like a “diving mask,” making the wearing experience somewhat cumbersome. In contrast, the practicality of Shenzhen’s AI glasses stands out even more. Shenzhen-made AI glasses generally weigh just a few dozen grams, look no different from ordinary sunglasses, and cost only a fraction of Apple’s price—yet their functionality is in no way inferior. Whether it’s watching big-screen movies while lying in bed, simultaneous interpretation during overseas travel, recording office meetings and transcribing them to text, or capturing first-person footage while exercising, this all-scenario coverage has made them the “new travel essential” for consumers abroad.

The key to Shenzhen’s ability to outpace European and American giants in the AI glasses sector lies in its unique industrial synergy. The city is not only the “Hardware Silicon Valley” but also a true “Capital of Eyewear.” Longgang District in Shenzhen accounts for 50% of the world’s mid-to-high-end eyewear production capacity and is home to 90% of the nation’s high-end designers; Nanshan District is dotted with major tech firms that hold the core of AI algorithms; and Bao’an District has deep roots in supply chain segments such as acoustics, displays, and structural components. With R&D in Nanshan, supporting industries in Bao’an, and manufacturing in Longgang, this efficient regional division of labor has built a complete closed-loop system spanning from technology to the market.

Furthermore, Shenzhen’s policy direction has pressed the “accelerator” for the industry. By incorporating smart wearables into its “20+8” strategic emerging industry clusters, investing 3.5 billion yuan in an industrial fund, and establishing the AI Glasses Industry Alliance in May 2025, Shenzhen has achieved a new speed where products can go from design to prototype in as little as 20 days. This has successfully transformed AI glasses from expensive tech gadgets into accessible “digital fashion items.”

Today, Shenzhen’s AI glasses have deeply penetrated diverse sectors such as cross-border communication, cultural tourism, and office environments. With the evolution of large-scale model technology, they are pushing the boundaries in emerging fields like the low-altitude economy and VR live streaming. Leveraging its deep technological expertise, end-to-end supply chain advantages, and global distribution channels, Shenzhen is moving toward its goal of becoming the “world’s leading city for AI glasses.” These globally popular “Shenzhen-made” products are reshaping the competitive landscape of the global wearable device industry with the solid confidence of “Made in China.”

Source: 21jingji, Nanfang+