Exploring the Billion-Dollar Smart Glasses Industry: Insights from Henggang

Introduction

The rise of smart glasses has been a hot topic in the tech industry, with 2024 marking the emergence of AI glasses and 2025 anticipated to be the breakout year for this technology. The资本市场 has taken note, with related stocks showing promising performance. This article delves into the current state of the smart glasses industry by examining two significant locations: Henggang Eyewear City and Huaqiangbei, known for their sensitivity to market trends.

Henggang Eyewear City: Awaiting for a New 'Spring'

Henggang Eyewear City, the largest eyewear market in Shenzhen, is known for its robust supply chain that enables quick production of glasses. With over 500 manufacturing enterprises and a concentration of high-end designers, Henggang produces over 125 million pairs of glasses annually, accounting for more than 80% of global high-end eyewear manufacturing.

However, the rise of online platforms like 1688 and Pinduoduo has drawn many consumers away from traditional markets like Henggang. The market's focus on affordable glasses has made it difficult for Henggang to sell high-end glasses at premium prices. As a result, business owners are seeking new avenues, with some, like Zhi Zhou, exploring AI glasses.

Zhi Zhou's store is one of the few in Henggang that offers AI glasses, but the market for these products remains niche. Despite the online hype, offline interest in AI glasses is not as high, with most sales being cross-border. The low prices of AI glasses on platforms like TEMU have limited the profit margin for manufacturers, leading many businesses to focus on volume sales rather than high margins.

The complexity of AI glasses售后服务 is another reason many Henggang businesses are hesitant to sell them. Traditional glasses can be repaired quickly, but AI glasses require more sophisticated software and hardware support. Additionally, the high price of high-quality AI glasses makes them less accessible to the average consumer.

Huaqiangbei: Pioneering New Business Opportunities

Huaqiangbei has been quicker to embrace the AI glasses trend. AI audio glasses are now commonly found in many Huaqiangbei stores, available in various styles. Despite this, the progress of AI glasses in Huaqiangbei is still limited, with most models only supporting basic functions like music playback and phone calls.

Huaqiangbei merchants, who often have their own factories, cater to both retail and wholesale markets. However, the quality of AI glasses in Huaqiangbei is still lacking, with poor sound quality in noisy environments.

Nevertheless, AI glasses have found some success in Huaqiangbei, particularly among overseas customers who are more willing to try new products. A few models, especially those suitable for outdoor use, have been particularly popular.

The Future of AI Glasses: When Will the 'iPhone' Moment Arrive?

Despite the current limitations, there is growing interest among young people in AI glasses, and occasionally, one can spot them being used in public. Both tech giants and startups are entering the market, indicating a surge in AI glasses is imminent.

Recent developments, such as Apple's development of smart glasses similar to Ray-Ban Meta and Google's acquisition of eye-tracking technology company AdHawk Microsystems, suggest that tech giants are serious about re-entering the headwear and smart glasses market.

As the acceptance of smart glasses among overseas users grows, the domestic market also shows potential for growth. According to iResearch, the Chinese smart glasses market is expected to reach 11.91 billion yuan by 2029, with the global market projected to hit 534 billion yuan by 2030.

However, the smart glasses market is still a small fraction of the traditional eyewear market, indicating that there is significant room for growth and development. With more players entering the field, 2025 could mark a pivotal moment for AI glasses, potentially leading to broader consumer adoption and application.

Conclusion

The exploration of Henggang Eyewear City and Huaqiangbei reveals a market on the cusp of significant growth. While challenges remain, such as the need for improved after-sales service and more affordable pricing, the potential for AI glasses to become a mainstream product is evident. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see when and how AI glasses achieve their 'iPhone' moment, transforming from a niche product to an essential piece of everyday technology.