Meta unveils Ray-Ban smart glasses with AR display
Meta has introduced three new pairs of AI-powered smart glasses, including the first Ray-Ban model to feature a built-in augmented reality display. The launch marks the return of mainstream eyewear with heads-up display technology. This concept was mainly abandoned since the failure of Google Glass.
The flagship model, the Meta Ray-Ban Display, is a marvel of modern technology.
Designed in a Wayfarer-inspired style, these glasses blend aesthetics with advanced features. The discreet colour display, projected on the inside of the right lens just below the wearer’s eye line, is a sight to behold. It can display text, photographs, live video calls, or app interactions, all of which are visible only to the wearer. The display activates during use and remains invisible externally, with a small LED signalling when the built-in camera is in operation.
The glasses were presented during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, where Meta’s chief executive demonstrated their capabilities. Although parts of the demonstration were disrupted due to connectivity issues, the devices highlighted Meta’s ambition to integrate augmented reality into everyday accessories.
The new glasses retain the features of the earlier Ray-Ban Meta AI shades, offering voice control and a touch-sensitive panel on the arms. Additionally, they ship with an innovative, water-resistant wristband called the Neural Band. This bracelet reads electrical signals from the wearer’s forearm to translate hand movements into digital inputs. With it, users can perform familiar gestures such as swiping, tapping, rotating, or controlling a virtual directional pad with a thumb. Future updates are expected to support handwriting input using only a finger.
For connectivity, the Ray-Ban Display glasses pair via Bluetooth with both Android and iPhone devices. They support messaging and video calls through Meta applications, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Features include real-time captions and translations, turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, and the use of the display as a live viewfinder for photos. Meta’s AI chatbot can provide both text-based and image-based responses, offering assistance with a wide range of tasks, from cooking recipes to identifying artwork or landmarks. These glasses are not just a novelty, but a practical addition to your everyday life.
Battery performance allows for up to six hours of active use, with extended charging capacity provided by a collapsible case that offers an additional 30 hours of use. The glasses will first launch in the United States on September 30 with a starting price of $799, before reaching markets in the UK, France, Italy, and Canada in early 2026.
Alongside the Ray-Ban model, Meta unveiled the Oakley Meta Vanguard, a sport-focused design that lacks an integrated display. These glasses, designed for athletes, feature a central camera, microphones, and speakers within a lightweight, 66g wrap-around frame. They are water-resistant, include swappable lenses, and provide up to nine hours of use per charge. Adjustable nose pads ensure a secure fit for high-intensity activities.
Meta has also partnered with Garmin to connect the Oakley glasses to its sports tracking devices. This integration provides real-time access to performance data, including speed, heart rate, and distance, during training. An internal LED flashes when a set performance target is achieved. The built-in camera can automatically capture short video clips at milestones, such as reaching specific distances, speeds, or elevation levels. These clips, complete with data overlays, can be compiled into highlight reels for sharing on Strava, the popular social platform for athletes.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard, a sport-focused design that lacks an integrated display, is an exciting addition to the Meta lineup. Priced at £499 (€ 549/$499), these glasses will be available starting from October 21. In addition, Meta announced a second generation of its original Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, now upgraded with double the battery life and an improved high-resolution video camera, available for £379 (€419/$379/A$599). These prices make these innovative glasses accessible to a broader audience, sparking excitement among potential consumers.
