Meta $META ( ▼ 0.41% ) is pushing back its early-2026 international expansion of Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, citing “extremely limited inventory” and “unprecedented demand.” The company did not clarify whether the bottleneck is primarily on the manufacturing side or simply demand overwhelming supply, but it reiterated that the product has exceeded expectations so far.
Waitlists for the smart glasses now extend well into 2026, underscoring how constrained availability has become just months after launch.
US demand comes first
Meta said it will prioritize fulfilling US orders while it reassesses its international strategy. Planned expansions into the UK, France, Italy, and Canada are now on hold.
Part of the friction is structural. Customers are required to complete an in-person product demo before purchasing, a step Meta says ensures the glasses are properly fitted. That requirement appears to be limiting throughput. In New York City, demo appointments are unavailable for weeks, and Meta’s own scheduling site warns that the glasses may be sold out even after a demo is completed.
A good problem to have
The Ray-Ban Display glasses are controlled via a wrist-worn band, and Meta has repeatedly positioned them as a breakout consumer hardware product. If demand truly is outstripping supply, the delay may reflect a cautious approach to scaling rather than a lack of interest.
For now, Meta is facing a familiar Big Tech tradeoff. Move fast and risk disappointing customers abroad, or slow down and consolidate momentum at home. Based on the decision to pause international expansion, Meta is clearly choosing the latter.