South Korea's three major mobile carriers—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—simultaneously launched the AI glasses 'Ray-Ban Meta' on the 22nd. The competition to dominate the next-generation wearable device market, following smartphones and smartwatches, has intensified.
The Ray-Ban Meta is an AI-powered glasses developed jointly by global eyewear company EssilorLuxottica and Meta. Users can engage in natural conversations with Meta AI to perform tasks such as asking questions, capturing photos and videos, controlling media, and responding to messages.
Equipped with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, the glasses can capture high-resolution photos and 3K Ultra HD videos from a first-person perspective. Users can effortlessly record everyday moments using the side button or hands-free voice commands. With open-ear speakers, they can make calls, listen to music, and use voice AI services while remaining aware of their surroundings.
The model currently on sale is the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Gen 2, priced at KRW690,000 for the base model and KRW740,000 for the polarized lens version. The three carriers have initiated a discount competition linked to their own rate plans.
SK Telecom offers customers subscribed to the Best109, BestPro, or BestMax plans a monthly discount of up to KRW12,000-KRW24,000 for 24-36 months if they choose installment discounts for smart devices. Sales are conducted through the official online mall T Direct Shop and six stores in Seoul and Gyeonggi, with demonstration spaces also available.
KT has begun sales through its direct online store, KT Direct Shop. Membership customers receive a 10% discount, and selecting the 'Yogo69 Plan Device Type B' allows usage at around 16,000 won per month on a 24-month installment basis. Starting from the 3rd of next month, sales will expand to general nationwide dealerships, enabling purchases at around 7,000 won per month on a maximum 36-month installment basis when subscribing to the 'Choice Double Device' plan.
LG U+ highlighted its 'Mania Device' benefits. On a 36-month installment basis, it offers up to approximately 51% discounts in standard rate tiers, allowing usage at around 9,357 won per month. Customers subscribing to high-tier plans like the 69·65 plans receive up to approximately 80% discounts, reducing monthly costs to around 3,857 won.
Telecom companies view AI glasses as a new AI service interface following smartphones and are exploring integrations with their proprietary AI systems. SK Telecom plans to develop specialized services by combining AI glasses' voice and camera interfaces with its AI assistant 'A.' (Dot) and other services from multiple angles.
The AI glasses market is growing rapidly. Market research firm Omdia forecasts that global AI glasses shipments will exceed 10 million units this year and grow at a compound annual rate of 47% until 2030, reaching 35 million units.
Koo Hyeon-cheol, head of SK Telecom's Sales & Marketing Division, stated, “The AI device ecosystem is diversifying beyond smartphones to include AI glasses and more,” adding, “We will expand products and services to help customers access various AI devices without financial burden.”
