Meta has temporarily halted plans to launch its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses in international markets, citing “unprecedented demand and limited supply.” The company had initially planned to introduce the glasses in France, Italy, Canada, and the U.K. in early 2026. However, overwhelming interest since the product’s U.S. debut has led to waitlists extending well into 2026, prompting the tech giant to prioritize fulfilling domestic orders first.
The Ray-Ban Display glasses, controlled via the Meta Neural Band, allow users to interact with digital content through subtle hand gestures. The Neural Band tracks finger movements, enabling functions like taking photos, sending messages, or controlling apps without touching the glasses themselves. Meta emphasized that while international availability is paused, the company remains committed to global expansion once supply can meet demand.
At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Meta showcased several upcoming features for the glasses and Neural Band. A new teleprompter feature allows users to deliver prepared remarks on the go, while gesture-based input enables messages to be written on any surface and transcribed into digital text. Pedestrian navigation is being expanded to four U.S. cities—Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, and Salt Lake City—further enhancing the device’s usability for daily life.
Meta’s move underscores the growing challenges in scaling high-demand wearable tech, balancing innovation, market readiness, and supply chain limitations. By prioritizing the U.S. market, the company aims to refine the user experience and ensure the Neural Band ecosystem meets expectations before expanding internationally. Industry observers note that this cautious approach reflects broader trends in augmented reality (AR) and wearable tech, where demand often outpaces production, particularly for early-stage devices integrating new forms of human-computer interaction.
With AR wearables poised to become a key frontier in consumer tech, Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses remain a flagship example of the convergence of fashion, technology, and immersive digital experiences. The company’s focus on improving accessibility, usability, and feature richness in its current market may influence future global rollout strategies, ensuring that international users receive a refined, fully supported product.
