The 2026 forecast remains preliminary. IDC's growth projection assumes successful product launches and sustained enterprise demand, but the market has proven volatile. Whether consumer adoption will materialize alongside enterprise use remains unclear, as does the specific product roadmap from Apple and Meta for the coming year.
Attorneys should monitor this sector for several reasons. The projected rebound signals that face computing is positioning itself as the next major AI deployment platform, following the underwhelming consumer reception of recent releases. Companies in hardware, software, and enterprise services should assess competitive positioning and IP strategy now, before the anticipated surge. Regulatory questions around data collection, privacy, and workplace surveillance will intensify if shipments accelerate as forecasted. For those advising on M&A or licensing in the AR/VR space, the 2026 inflection point may create both valuation pressure and acquisition opportunities.