The shift from smartphones to wearables
The era of smartphones as the central hub of personal technology is gradually giving way to a new generation of devices that seamlessly integrate into our daily lives. Tech giants like Meta and Apple are leading the charge, developing wearable technologies that promise to redefine how we interact with the digital world. From AI-powered smart glasses to brain-computer interfaces, the future of wearable technology is poised to be more immersive and intuitive than ever before.
Meta’s Vision: AI-Powered Smart Glasses
Meta’s latest innovation, the Ray-Ban Display, represents a significant leap in wearable technology. Unveiled in September 2025, these smart glasses feature a high-resolution, in-lens display that provides users with real-time information without the need to look down at a phone. Integrated with Meta’s AI assistant, users can access messages, navigation, and even engage in live video calls directly through the glasses. Accompanying the glasses is the Meta Neural Band, an EMG wristband that translates subtle muscle movements into commands, allowing for intuitive control of the device. Priced at $799, the Ray-Ban Display aims to be a central device in users’ lives, potentially replacing smartphones as the primary computing platform.
Mark Zuckerberg testing the Orion Glasses – Wired
Accessibility: Who Will Really Benefit?
While the technology promises a seamless experience, questions of accessibility remain critical. Devices like AI-powered glasses or brain-computer interfaces are likely to launch at premium prices, potentially making them unattainable for large portions of the population. Beyond cost, there are usability concerns: some users may struggle with learning new interfaces or may have disabilities that make certain wearables impractical. Even more, the constant presence of devices like smart glasses raises questions about comfort and social acceptance — would everyone want to wear a device on their face all day, or will people seek periodic digital breaks?
For wearables to truly replace smartphones, they will need to balance innovation with inclusivity. That could mean offering modular devices, adjustable interfaces, or hybrid solutions that combine traditional smartphones with wearable enhancements, ensuring that technology empowers rather than excludes.
Apple’s approach: dual-mode smart glasses
Apple is also making strides in the wearable tech space with its upcoming smart glasses. According to reports, these glasses will feature dual operating modes: a comprehensive visionOS experience when connected to a Mac and a streamlined, mobile-optimized mode when used with an iPhone. This flexibility is expected to enhance user convenience and productivity across devices, positioning Apple’s smart glasses as a versatile addition to its ecosystem The Times of India.
Brain-Computer Interfaces: The Next Frontier
Looking further ahead, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) represent the next frontier in wearable technology. These devices aim to establish a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices, enabling users to control technology with their thoughts. While still in the experimental stage, BCIs have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with digital systems, offering hands-free control and new forms of accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The Wearable Technology Landscape in 2025
As we move through 2025, several key trends are shaping the wearable technology market:
Generative AI integration: Wearables are increasingly incorporating generative AI to provide personalized experiences, including health coaching and contextual smart replies, according to insights from TechInsights.
Enhanced Health Monitoring: Advanced sensors for ECG, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking are becoming standard in wearable devices, giving users comprehensive health insights.
Smart rings and glasses: Emerging devices like smart rings and glasses are gaining traction, offering lightweight designs and innovative health-tracking capabilities.
Increased consumer adoption: The wearable technology market is projected to grow significantly, with the global market size estimated at USD 84.2 billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 186.14 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Public Opinion: The Pros and Cons of Meta Glasses
As wearable technology inches closer to replacing smartphones, public opinion about devices like Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses is mixed, according to insights gathered from the CEO Today team. While the glasses offer exciting potential—hands-free messaging, navigation, and real-time access to information—many of our contributors remain hesitant to fully adopt them.
Some users say they would consider using the glasses instead of a phone, especially if the devices could replicate all smartphone functions. The convenience of accessing apps, calls, and notifications directly in front of your eyes is appealing for tech enthusiasts seeking an integrated, futuristic experience.
However, a significant portion of the public expresses concern about privacy and comfort. Many report feeling uneasy about having cameras or sensors constantly near their face, even though smartphones already track and monitor activity. The feeling of being watched or monitored on your person is more immediate and visceral when the technology is worn physically, rather than sitting in a pocket or bag.
Others are skeptical about the glasses’ intuitiveness and effectiveness, questioning whether the technology will ever match the ease and reliability of smartphones. Some might be willing to try them in the future, but only once the devices become easier to use and deliver consistently smooth performance.
A further barrier is the idea of having to wear glasses all the time simply to access phone functions. For many, this feels intrusive and unnecessary, creating a psychological resistance that may slow adoption even as the technology improves.
Overall, while Meta glasses are generating curiosity and excitement, public consensus suggests that widespread adoption will require not only technological refinement but also thoughtful consideration of privacy, usability, and personal comfort.
Are glasses going to replace phones?
While smart glasses like Meta’s Ray-Ban Display and upcoming Apple models are generating excitement, they are unlikely to completely replace smartphones in the near future. Glasses can offer hands-free messaging, navigation, and quick access to information, but they face significant challenges in adoption, including comfort, privacy concerns, and social acceptance. Many people are hesitant to wear a device constantly on their face, and current models may not yet match the reliability, versatility, or ease of use of a traditional smartphone. Instead, it’s more likely that glasses will complement phones, creating a broader ecosystem of wearable technology rather than serving as a full replacement.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Wearables
The future of wearable technology is rapidly evolving, with companies like Meta and Apple at the forefront of innovation. As AI-powered smart glasses and brain-computer interfaces become more prevalent, our interactions with technology may become increasingly seamless and integrated into daily life. But the question remains: would everyone actually want to wear these devices all the time? While smartphones can be set aside, smart glasses sit literally in front of our eyes, constantly present. For many, including myself, having something permanently on your face feels intrusive, and there may be a growing desire for breaks from constant connectivity. In that sense, wearable devices may coexist with smartphones rather than fully replace them, offering convenience and innovation but also respecting our need for occasional digital respite.
