Meta Platforms shared some disappointing news for international fans on Tuesday. The company is pushing back the global launch of its Ray-Ban Display glasses because it simply cannot keep up with “unprecedented” demand in the United States. In a recent blog post, Meta admitted that interest has been so high since the product launched last fall that some US customers now face waitlists stretching well into 2026.
Because inventory is so low, Meta decided to pause its rollout in the U.K., France, Italy, and Canada. These countries were originally supposed to get the glasses early this year, but those plans are now on ice. Meta says it needs to focus on fulfilling the massive pile of orders it already has in the US before it can realistically consider expanding sales in other parts of the world.
Meta and the maker of Ray-Ban, Luxottica, have been building this relationship for years. They first teamed up in 2019 and signed a fresh long-term deal in 2024 to keep the partnership going. CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced these $799 glasses last September, pitching them as the first pair of AI glasses ready for regular people to wear. These aren’t just for taking photos; they also let users watch videos or reply to messages with a special wristband. This wristband uses neural technology to convert subtle movements into commands, allowing users to control the glasses without ever touching the frames.
The gamble is paying off for both companies. In October, EssilorLuxottica reported a jump in revenue, driven largely by the success of its Meta partnership. However, Meta isn’t the only company trying to put a computer on your face. The competition is getting crowded quickly. Alphabet recently announced a $150 million deal with Warby Parker to develop its own smart eyewear. At the same time, industry rumors suggest that OpenAI is working with Apple on a set of AI-powered glasses. For now, Meta has the lead, but it has to figure out its supply chain issues if it wants to stay ahead of the pack.
