Key Facts
- ✓ Meta is pausing the planned expansion of Ray-Ban Display glasses to the UK, France, Italy, and Canada.
- ✓ Waitlists for the $800 glasses extend well into 2026 due to unprecedented demand.
- ✓ The device features a built-in screen for displaying text messages, maps, and captions.
- ✓ Purchases require a demo appointment at select retailers in the US.
Quick Summary
Meta has announced a pause on the international expansion of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to significant supply shortages. The company cited "unprecedented" demand for the $800 device, which has resulted in waitlists extending well into 2026.
Originally scheduled for early 2026, launches in the UK, France, Italy, and Canada have been delayed. Meta stated it will continue to focus on fulfilling orders in the United States while it re-evaluates its strategy for international availability. The company's chief technology officer noted that production is struggling to keep pace with the high sales velocity.
Supply Shortages and High Demand
Meta stated on Tuesday that it cannot keep its latest AI glasses on shelves. The Ray-Ban Display glasses, which launched in the fall of last year, have generated waitlists that extend well into 2026.
Due to the high demand for the specifications, Meta said it would be pausing its planned expansion to the UK, France, Italy, and Canada. These launches were originally scheduled for early 2026. The company noted that the demand has been much higher than anticipated.
Meta's chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, addressed the shortages during an ask-me-anything session on Instagram. He was responding to a question regarding when more units would be shipped to Best Buy.
"As soon as we produce things, we're bringing them to stores, and they're selling out, and we're continuing to do that," Bosworth said. He added that the company hopes to match production with expected demand more accurately in the future.
"As soon as we produce things, we're bringing them to stores, and they're selling out, and we're continuing to do that."
— Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer
Product Features and Availability
The $799 Display glasses feature a built-in screen that can display text messages, maps, and captions over the real world. This represents a leap forward from the first-generation AI glasses, which functioned more like regular glasses with the addition of cameras and voice controls.
Buying the Display glasses requires more effort than a standard online purchase. Meta requires shoppers to schedule a demo appointment at a retailer. This process is currently limited to a select number of Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Best Buy locations in the US.
In a blog post, Meta wrote, "We'll continue to focus on fulfilling orders in the US while we re-evaluate our approach to international availability."
Regulatory Context in Europe
The delay in Europe comes amidst ongoing regulatory challenges for tech companies in the region. The European Union has been strict with global tech giants regarding its Digital Markets Act, which governs large digital platforms.
In April 2025, the European Commission imposed a €200 million fine on Meta. The fine alleged that the company did not offer a version of its services, specifically Facebook and Instagram, that uses less personal data from consumers.
This is not the first time European customers have faced delays for Meta products. In 2024, Mark Zuckerberg signed an open letter citing "inconsistent regulatory decision making" in the EU, suggesting the region might miss out on certain AI innovations.
"The demand has been much higher than we anticipated."
— Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer
"We'll continue to focus on fulfilling orders in the US while we re-evaluate our approach to international availability."
— Meta
