Meta delays Ray-Ban Display glasses global rollout due to inventory limits, U.S. demand

Meta Platforms said Tuesday that it’s delaying the international expansion of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to inventory constraints and “unprecedented” demand in the U.S.

“Since launching last fall, we’ve seen an overwhelming amount of interest, and as a result, product waitlists now extend well into 2026,” Meta wrote in a blog post.

Due to “limited” inventory, the company said it will pause plans to launch in the U.K., France, Italy and Canada early this year and concentrate on U.S. orders as it reassesses international availability.

Since 2019, Meta has been developing smart glasses with Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica, and renewed a long-term partnership deal in 2024.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses in September.

The product, Meta’s first consumer-ready artificial intelligence glasses, lets users watch videos or respond to messages and is controlled through a wristband with neural technology.

EssilorLuxottica said in October that revenue grew in the third quarter in part because of its Meta partnership.

Meta is one of several technology companies moving into the smart glasses market.

Alphabet announced a $150 million partnership with Warby Parker in May and ChatGPT maker OpenAI is reportedly working on AI glasses with Apple.