RayNeo Secures Strategic Funding, Debuts First eSIM-Enabled AR Glasses

• China’s top telecom operators invested in RayNeo, marking their first move into consumer AR as part of a national infrastructure strategy.
• RayNeo unveiled the X3 Pro – Project eSIM, a standalone prototype with integrated 4G connectivity and no smartphone tethering.

RayNeo has closed a new funding round backed by Unicom Innovation Capital and two China Mobile investment arms. The companies represent the country’s largest telecom operators, and the announcement frames this as their first direct investment in consumer AR. It also positions AR smart glasses as part of China’s national communications infrastructure strategy. RayNeo did not disclose the funding amount, but Chinese media reported the round exceeded 1 billion yuan ($143 million).

At CES 2026, RayNeo unveiled the X3 Pro – Project eSIM, a prototype headset featuring embedded 4G eSIM technology. The concept device integrates calling, cloud syncing, music streaming, and real-time translation, all without tethering to a smartphone. The company described the prototype as "the world's first consumer AR glasses concept with integrated eSIM and 4G connectivity."

RayNeo says it plans to work closely with its telecom investors to scale distribution, deepen integration, and validate AR glasses as a mainstream platform. The companies bring national retail networks, massive subscriber bases, and device-plus-plan models that could lower adoption barriers. They also offer critical infrastructure in areas like eSIM provisioning, 5G-Advanced connectivity, and content partnerships, key to RayNeo’s goal of making AR glasses fully standalone devices.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Telecom backing matters because it turns AR glasses from niche tech into a mass-market product. Carriers bring retail reach, billing plans, and the network access needed to make these devices truly standalone.

Source: PR Newswire / RayNeo