Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seems to have found success in an area where others have struggled. In partnership with luxury eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, the company has created something that people actually want to wear. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses merge iconic design with advanced artificial intelligence, making them look and feel more like fashion accessories than pieces of tech. Even the new Meta Ray-Ban Display model, which includes a built-in screen, stays true to the classic Ray-Ban look. This alone helps the brand overcome what doomed earlier smart eyewear attempts, such as Google Glass: the lack of style.
For once, even those wary of Meta’s privacy record are stopping to take notice.
Key Takeaways:
• The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses succeed by looking like regular designer eyewear, avoiding the awkward “tech gadget” appearance of earlier smart glasses.
• They come with a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, open-ear speakers, and Meta AI for hands-free use.
• Meta AI lets users ask questions, translate speech, and analyze images through simple voice commands.
• The upcoming Meta Ray-Ban Display model introduces a built-in display in one lens, controlled by a new Meta Neural Band wristband.
• Privacy concerns remain high, as critics worry about constant recording and subtle notification lights.
The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, feature a 12-megapixel camera capable of capturing photos and 1080p video. They include open-ear speakers and a five-microphone array for calls and audio. Their main attraction, however, is the Meta AI assistant. Activated with a simple “Hey Meta,” this AI can translate languages on the fly, identify landmarks, read text from signs, and answer general questions. It’s designed for hands-free convenience, letting users stay present while accessing useful information instantly.
Still, that convenience comes with a familiar problem. Meta’s technology, as capable as it is, makes many people uneasy. The glasses can capture and transmit whatever the wearer sees and hears, raising serious privacy questions. While Meta includes a small white LED light that turns on during recording, critics argue it’s too subtle to notice. Some worry that normalizing such discreet recording devices could blur the boundaries of public and private space. Users on Reddit have even voiced frustration that opting not to buy the glasses doesn’t shield them from others using them nearby.
The upcoming Meta Ray-Ban Display model, priced at $799 in the US, takes things a step further. It adds a built-in display on one lens to show notifications, navigation directions, and photo previews. It’s also paired with the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that reads muscle signals through electromyography (sEMG). With a simple finger pinch, users can control the glasses discreetly, no voice command needed. This kind of interaction feels subtle and practical, especially in quiet environments.
Despite the privacy worries, Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban shows how wearable tech can blend seamlessly into everyday fashion. The glasses offer genuine utility without looking like technology. For many users, that balance between design and function outweighs lingering doubts about privacy or data collection.
It’s a glimpse of where wearable tech is heading. Instead of standing out, the next generation of devices may quietly blend into what we already wear, becoming almost invisible. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses suggest that the future of smart eyewear might not be about looking futuristic at all, but about making technology feel natural, almost forgettable, in the best possible way.
Related FAQs
Q. What is the camera quality on Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses?
A. The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses include a 12 MP ultra-wide camera. They capture photos at 3024×4032 pixels and videos at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, suitable for social media sharing.
Q. Can you make phone calls using the Ray-Ban Meta glasses?
A. Yes, you can make and receive calls hands-free using the open-ear speakers and five-microphone array. You can use voice commands to answer calls and send messages on platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger.
Q. What is the battery life of the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses?
A. The second-generation glasses offer up to 8 hours of use on a single charge. The portable charging case provides additional charges, extending the total battery life up to 48 hours.
Q. Do the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have a display for augmented reality?
A. The standard Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 1 and Gen 2) do not have a display for augmented reality or a head-up display (HUD). The upcoming Meta Ray-Ban Display model, however, includes a small, high-resolution display built into one of the lenses.
Q. Are the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses waterproof?
A. The glasses have an IPX4 rating for water resistance. This means they are protected against splashes of water or light rain, but they are not fully waterproof and should not be submerged.
Q. What is the Meta Neural Band?
A. The Meta Neural Band is an accessory wristband that pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. It uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to detect subtle muscle movements in the wrist and hand, allowing the user to control the glasses’ features, like scrolling or selecting items, through simple finger gestures.
