Key Points:
- Meta unveils $799 Ray-Ban smart glasses with display and gesture-based neural wristband.
- Stylish AR features include navigation, messaging, and camera access.
- Oakley Meta Vanguard targets athletes, expanding Meta’s AI wearable push.
Meta has taken a major step in its wearable technology journey by unveiling the Ray-Ban Display, a new line of smart glasses equipped with a built-in colour display and paired with a wrist-worn neural interface. The device was launched by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the company’s annual Connect event, highlighting Meta’s ambition to make augmented reality more practical for everyday use.
The glasses, priced at $799, will be available in the United States from September 30, 2025, before expanding to markets including Canada, the UK, France, and Italy in early 2026. Positioned as a premium wearable, the product underscores Meta’s strategy of blending fashion, AI, and AR into a single device that could reshape how users interact with digital content.
Features, Design, and Everyday Use
The Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses integrate a high-resolution colour display within the right lens, designed to surface information only when needed. This includes navigation prompts, text messages, translations, and camera controls. Unlike previous generations, the glasses offer a discreet heads-up experience without drawing much attention to the technology.
What sets the product apart is the Meta Neural Band, a wrist-based controller that interprets subtle hand and finger movements as commands. This innovation allows users to operate the glasses with minimal gestures, eliminating the need to physically touch the device or rely on a phone.
The battery supports around six hours of mixed use, while a portable charging case extends usage by up to 30 additional hours. Meta has partnered with Ray-Ban to retain a stylish look, offering classic frame designs with options like Transitions® lenses. Colours such as Black and Sand give the glasses a fashionable appeal, making them easier to integrate into daily wear.
Additional Models and Market Outlook
In addition to the Meta Ray-Ban Display, Meta announced refreshed versions of its existing smart glasses with upgraded cameras and better battery performance. A separate sports-focused line, branded as the Oakley Meta Vanguard, was also introduced. Targeted at athletes, this $499 model integrates with fitness platforms like Strava and Garmin, delivering real-time performance data. The Oakley version is scheduled for release on October 21, 2025.
The launch reflects Meta’s determination to position itself at the forefront of the augmented reality and AI-wearables space. By combining fashion partnerships with advanced neural interfaces, the company is betting that consumers will gradually embrace smart glasses as everyday companions.
However, industry analysts note several hurdles. The premium price point, potential learning curve for gesture controls, and privacy concerns related to always-on cameras and AI data handling could affect mainstream adoption. Early demonstrations of the technology also faced occasional hiccups, raising questions about long-term usability.
Despite these challenges, the Meta Ray-Ban Display represents Meta’s most ambitious wearable yet, signaling a bold attempt to move beyond traditional social media and into the future of immersive computing.
