Global Scans · Augmented Reality · Weekly Summary

• [New] AI Hardware: If the Phoenix AR glasses gain mainstream adoption in late 2026, Meta could finally own the operating system of the next computing era, freeing it from Apple's and Google's app store fees. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] In XR news terms, Snap's entry will finally give Meta some competition in the consumer AR glasses space. Solutions
• [New] Samsung has officially confirmed that its 'next-generation AR glasses' will arrive in 2026. Android Central
• [New] Based on the leaked specifications, the upcoming AR glasses could be significantly more affordable, potentially making Samsung's next-generation wearable accessible to a broader audience. Digital Trends
• [New] According to research from the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance, over 40% of digital twins deployments will include AR or VR interfaces by 2028, enabling more intuitive interaction with virtual replicas. Programming Helper
• [New] Excitement around 7 AR devices 2026 is already changing what people expect from screens and work. Glass Almanac
• Snap's upcoming Specs aim for a consumer-friendly price and lighter design in 2026, which could finally move AR out of enthusiast territory. Glass Almanac
• Apple signaled bigger AI ambitions for wearables at CES and reportedly plans deep Gemini-like integrations for Siri, which would shift AR from novelty to daily utility. Glass Almanac
• In 2026, we see more crossover between AR and other emerging tech like blockchain - e.g., completing an AR challenge might earn participants a digital collectible related to the event, which doubles as a loyalty reward or early access token. Ticket Fairy
• Analysts project Samsung's Galaxy XR to achieve over a hundred thousand unit sales in 2026, while at least five Android XR devices are expected to launch, including flat-AR display glasses from Samsung and Xreal, plus non-display AI glasses from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Next Reality
• Combine that with Amazon's retail stack and AR could become a literal shopping layer on real aisles. Glass Almanac
• One surprise: Google's push to put Android XR in compact glasses could make AR mainstream faster than many expect. Glass Almanac
• Snap's roadmap to consumer AR glasses remains one of the clearest commercialization bets for 2026; retailers and advertisers will watch adoption closely. Glass Almanac
• The global value of augmented reality and virtual reality is expected to reach approximately $850 billion by the next decade. USM
• AI-enabled AR try-ons are expected to reduce product return rates by up to 25% by 2026. Market.us Scoop
• Nearly 75% of global brands are expected to adopt AR or VR for marketing by 2026. Market.us Scoop
• Monthly active mobile AR users worldwide are expected to exceed 2 billion, driven by social media and retail use cases. Market.us Scoop
• The U.S. AR user base is projected to reach 103.9 million by 2026, up from 100.1 million in 2025. Market.us Scoop
• By 2036, AR headset shipments are projected to reach around 35 million units per year, with VR shipments exceeding 27 million units. Idtechex

Last updated: 08 February 2026