Dongguan Ships Half of Global AI Glasses in 2025

Dongguan-based companies shipped more than 4 million pairs of AI glasses in 2025, accounting for nearly half of the global total of 8.7 million pairs, according to research firm Omdia. The Guangdong city ranked first worldwide by shipment volume, while global AI glasses shipments rose 322% compared to the previous year.

Dongguan's Market Position and Government Support

The city's dominance in AI glasses manufacturing reflects both its existing electronics infrastructure and recent policy initiatives. Dongguan recently introduced measures to support XR intelligent terminals in areas including technology, company development, applications, and funding.

Zeng Jianpeng, executive vice-mayor of Dongguan, attributed the city's strength to its established electronics supply chain, which serves both contract manufacturers and local brands.

Manufacturing Ecosystem: Small and Medium-Sized Producers

Dongguan's AI glasses boom is powered by a wider group of six to eight small and medium-sized manufacturers in China's Pearl River Delta region. Many of these companies operate a dual-model strategy: selling low-cost products under their own brands while also accepting contract work and serving original design manufacturing (ODM) clients across business and consumer markets. This approach enables volume growth while distributing financial risk.

Lower research and development costs support this manufacturing model. According to industry participants, companies can build new AI glasses for less than 10 million yuan (approximately US$1.41 million) and refresh designs every six months. More capable domestic chips also widen the competitive field, providing AI eyewear brands and manufacturers cheaper options with stronger value.

Low-Priced Models Driving Category Expansion

Affordable devices are expanding the addressable market for AI eyewear. One example is an AI translation eyewear device priced at 119 yuan (approximately US$16), which sold well during the Double 11 shopping festival on Douyin Mall, ByteDance's e-commerce platform. Some AI eyewear models have shipped more than 20,000 units per month.

This fast, low-cost approach creates competitive pressure on the research and development model common in Western technology companies. According to the source material, international hardware companies may need to work with Chinese manufacturers or risk falling behind in future device categories.