[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] As SamsungElectronics(005930)and Meta go head-to-head in the AI glasses market, semiconductor company Qualcomm is emerging as a new beneficiary.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 16th, Qualcomm recorded an 86% market share in the global AI glasses chipset market in the first half of this year. With SamsungElectronics also entering the AI glasses market this year, some analysts predict that Qualcomm’s market share will exceed 90%.

The AI glasses set to be launched by SamsungElectronics and Google on December 10 will be equipped with Qualcomm’s “Snapdragon AR1 1st Generation.” The same chip was also used in the “Ray-Ban Meta 3rd Generation,” unveiled by Meta last September.

Just as the mobile application processor (AP) serves as the “brain” of a smartphone, this chip is the core component that powers the camera, video processing, and AI functions in AI glasses.

The key hardware specifications of the two products are also similar. Both feature a 12-megapixel camera, support 3K video recording, and offer up to 9 hours of battery life.

The Samsung product weighs between 39.6 and 43.9 grams, making it lighter than the Meta product (51.5–54.5 grams). It also has 64 GB of storage, which is double that of the Meta product. On the other hand, Meta’s model has six microphones, two more than Samsung’s.

Since AI glasses must fit a camera, semiconductor, and battery into a small frame, power efficiency and thermal management are critical. Qualcomm is expanding its market presence by supplying low-power semiconductors and related software designed with these characteristics in mind.

Currently, Meta holds an overwhelming lead in the AI glasses market. According to Counterpoint, Meta accounted for more than 90% of global AI glasses shipments in the first half of this year.

SamsungElectronics and Google are entering the market, starting with the U.S. and South Korea. In the U.S., they are selling both Warby Parker and Gentle Monster products, while in South Korea, they are launching Gentle Monster products.

Initial consumer response has been enthusiastic. After Gentle Monster began taking pre-orders in South Korea and the U.S. on the 12th, its main products sold out within a few hours. Reservations for product demo events in New York City have also filled up.

Industry observers believe that competition in the AI glasses market will intensify in earnest with the entry of Samsung and Google. While Meta is focusing on its proprietary AI, Samsung and Google will offer features useful in daily life—such as real-time translation, environmental recognition, and navigation—through Gemini.

Competitive advantage is expected to hinge not only on product performance but also on the response speed and accuracy of AI services, as well as their ability to engage in natural conversation. As competition intensifies and the AI glasses market grows, Qualcomm—which supplies key semiconductors—is expected to see its influence expand.

Counterpoint analyzed, “A strong alternative ecosystem has emerged to rival Meta,” adding, “New business opportunities will open up for component suppliers, software developers, and eyewear brands.”