Global Scans · Augmented reality · Weekly Summary

• [New] Monthly AR engagement will reach over 25% of global internet users, indicating that AR is becoming part of regular digital interaction. Bayelsa Watch
• [New] In 2026, Augmented Reality will account for the largest share at 50%. Bayelsa Watch
• [New] By 2026, more industries will adopt AR wearables, leading to enhanced training programs and improved customer service experiences. Tech Shopping Zone
• [New] Progress in AR technology and immersive digital spaces will enable brands to create interactive entertainment experiences that naturally combine physical and digital worlds, substantially changing how partnerships deliver value to consumers and stakeholders in the coming decade. Michigan Coalition for Human Rights
• [New] 40% of planners expect AI-powered event apps to be standard by 2026 - a category that increasingly includes AR navigation embedded within official event apps, automatically guiding attendees to their next scheduled session without requiring manual map interpretation. Tree-Fan Events LLC
• [New] Snap has pushed Specs toward consumers, promising smaller, friendlier AR hardware in 2027. Glass Almanac
• [New] Reports show Amazon developing consumer and worker AR eyewear that could blend navigation, inventory overlays, and shopping experiences. Glass Almanac
• [New] Best Buy plans to lean into AI glasses as well as other Meta products, like VR headsets, with dedicated spaces within stores. Digiday
• The AR/VR retail segment is expected to grow at 28-32% CAGR through 2033, supported by improving hardware capabilities, declining hardware costs, and expanding consumer familiarity with immersive technologies. Persistence Market Research
• The global AR investment scale will hit $747.3 billion in 2026, with a massive 86% of brands reporting that AR directly drives new sales channels. Kivicube Blog
• AR Smart glasses (by display type) are expected to grow at the fastest pace, with a CAGR of over 38% from 2026 to 2033. Bayelsa Watch
• In 2026, there will be around 1,106 million AR users. Bayelsa Watch
• In 2026, total AR revenue per user will reach USD 351 billion, followed by AR Advertising at USD 258.7 billion (73.7%), AR Hardware at USD 85.9 billion (24.5%), and AR Software at USD 6.4 billion (1.8%). Bayelsa Watch
• The AR-in-e-commerce segment will reach USD 38.55 billion by 2030 at a 35.8% CAGR. Bayelsa Watch
• Over the next three years, the most significant trend will be the expansion of AR and VR into smaller markets through affordable devices and localized content. Verified Market Reports
• Augmented VR is still evolving, but several trends suggest how it may develop in the coming years and how it could reshape everyday life. INAIRSPACE
• By device type, the smart glasses/AR glasses segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the upcoming period from 2026 to 2035. Precedence Research
• Snap's Specs roadmap targets 2026 for smaller AR glasses, translating research demos into retail devices sooner than many expected. Glass Almanac
• Samsung plans consumer AR glasses in 2026, tethered to phones with an eye-level camera. Glass Almanac
• Apple plans AR glasses around 2026, tying hardware to its AI push. Glass Almanac
• Snap will start selling consumer AR Specs in 2026, challenging phone-first AR. Glass Almanac

Last updated: 12 April 2026