Meta has just taken another big swing at wearable tech by launching its new generation of smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban. On the surface, they look like a pair of stylish sunglasses you’d happily wear outdoors. But once you put them on, it becomes clear Meta is betting hard on augmented reality becoming part of daily life.
The standout feature this time is a discreet, full-color display hidden inside one of the lenses. You won’t see it from the outside, but once you’re wearing the glasses, it pops up just below your eye line. That little screen can do a lot: show incoming text messages, provide walking directions, handle video calls, and even let you view photos without ever having to reach for your phone. It’s Meta’s way of blending practical AR with a design people won’t feel awkward wearing in public.
The hardware has been upgraded across the board. Each pair includes a camera for snapping photos and recording short clips, a microphone and speakers for calls or voice controls, and touch-sensitive panels built into the arms for easy navigation. Additionally, Meta is introducing a wristband that tracks hand gestures, allowing users to interact with the lens by pinching, swiping, or pointing in the air. Imagine translating conversations in real time or reading live captions floating right in front of you; it’s part futuristic, part functional.
Practicality is always the sticking point for wearable tech, and Meta has clearly tried to address that. Battery life clocks in at around six hours of regular use, while the charging case adds roughly 30 extra hours. The glasses will first hit the U.S. market on September 30 with a price tag of $799. If you’re in the UK, France, Italy, or Canada, you’ll have to wait until early 2026 before they officially roll out.
Meta is also expanding into sport-focused wearables. Alongside the Ray-Bans, the company announced the Oakley Meta Vanguard, a sleeker and more rugged option designed with fitness in mind. These don’t come with the augmented reality display but include water resistance, a camera, mic, and speakers, and are designed to sync with Garmin devices. That means you’ll be able to track heart rate, pace, speed, and distance while you’re running, cycling, or training.
What’s clear here is that Meta is trying to position itself at the center of the next wave of wearable computing. Unlike flashy prototypes or bulky headsets, these glasses are designed to blend into everyday life while quietly adding digital layers to it. Real-time translation, hands-free messaging, and a display you can glance at without pulling a phone out of your pocket. These are features that could genuinely shift habits if the execution is good.
The big question is whether people are ready. Smart glasses have been hyped before, but adoption has been slow, with earlier attempts either too clunky or too niche. Meta is hoping that its mix of style (thanks to Ray-Ban and Oakley) and practical features will finally tip the balance. If these catch on, they could change not just how we use tech but how we interact in everyday spaces, where glasses are no longer just for sight or style, but for seamlessly blending the digital world with the real one.
For now, all eyes are on the September 30 launch. Meta is betting $799 is a fair price for putting a piece of the future on your face.