Meta is piloting a new trade-in program that lets users receive credit toward a new pair of its smart glasses from Ray-Ban and Oakley. It’s a small but interesting move, I think, because it nudges owners of older devices to finally consider upgrading. The program began in mid-November and is currently planned to run through the end of December, so it is very much a short-term test to gauge interest. The value of the trade-in can be applied as a discount on an eligible new device when purchased directly through the Meta Store.
Key Takeaways
- Offer: Meta is piloting a trade-in program for a discount on new Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses.
- Eligible New Devices: The discount applies to new Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1 and Gen 2), Oakley Meta HSTN, and Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses.
- Eligible Used Devices: Trade-ins are accepted for the original Ray-Ban Stories glasses (also known as Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1) and certain models of Apple AirPods, Beats, and Samsung Galaxy Buds earbuds.
- Discount Value: Trade-in credit can reach up to approximately $122 for first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses and up to $70 for eligible earbuds, with final value depending on device condition and model.
- Process: The trade-in option appears during checkout on the Meta Store when an eligible new device is in the bag. Customers complete a questionnaire and mail in their old device for final inspection.
There are a few clear takeaways here. Meta is offering a trade-in option to encourage people to buy new Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses. The eligible upgrades include Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 and Gen 2 models, as well as the Oakley Meta HSTN and Oakley Meta Vanguard. On the trade-in side, Meta is accepting the original Ray-Ban Stories glasses, which some people also refer to as Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1, and a selection of popular earbuds from Apple, Beats, and Samsung.
The credit can reach up to about $122 for first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses and up to $70 for eligible earbuds, though the final amount varies depending on condition and model. The trade-in option shows up during checkout on the Meta Store once an eligible device is in the cart. From there, customers fill out a brief questionnaire and mail in their old device so Meta can confirm the condition.
This program feels aimed squarely at early adopters of the Ray-Ban Stories, who might be curious about the newer generation but hesitant to spend again. The updated Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses offer noticeably better video quality, longer battery life, and support for the Meta AI assistant. Those improvements alone make the upgrade path more appealing, especially for anyone who tried the first version and felt it came up a little short.
The lineup of eligible new devices includes the original Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the newer Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and the more sports-oriented Oakley Meta styles. All of them must be purchased new from the Meta Store to qualify. What stands out a bit is Meta’s decision to accept earbuds from competing brands like Apple, Beats, and Samsung. I find that somewhat telling, perhaps suggesting that Meta wants to draw users from other wearable ecosystems toward its open-ear smart glasses, which can handle music and calls without blocking ambient sound.
The trade-in process itself is fairly straightforward. When a customer adds an eligible pair of Ray-Ban or Oakley smart glasses to their cart, a trade-in prompt should appear at checkout. Users answer a few questions about their device’s condition, which leads to an initial quote. To qualify, the device must be in working order and include the original charging case. After the new purchase is completed, Meta sends instructions for shipping the old device to Reconext, the vendor partner handling these evaluations. The quote is guaranteed for 30 days, and once Reconext verifies the condition, the final credit is issued as a refund to the original payment method.
Some customers on forums like Reddit have mentioned that the trade-in option doesn’t always appear for them. That suggests the program might be limited or even region-specific for now, which fits with Meta describing it as a pilot.
By creating a clearer upgrade path, Meta is trying to position its smart glasses as something closer to mainstream consumer tech rather than a novelty. This trade-in test gives the company useful data as it decides whether to expand or even make permanent programs that encourage people to refresh their wearable devices over time.
Related FAQs
Q. What is Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?
A. Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are wearable tech devices developed by Meta in partnership with EssilorLuxottica (owner of Ray-Ban and Oakley). They look like regular eyeglasses but feature an integrated camera, open-ear speakers, and microphones for taking photos, recording video, listening to audio, and using a voice-activated AI assistant hands-free.
Q. Is the Meta trade-in program permanent?
A. No, Meta has launched this as a pilot program with an initial end date toward the end of the year. The company will likely evaluate the success of this test before deciding whether to make it a permanent offering.
Q. Can I trade in a different brand of smart glasses for a discount?
A. The trade-in program is currently focused on the first-generation Ray-Ban Stories glasses and select popular earbuds from Apple, Beats, and Samsung. Other brands of smart glasses are generally not eligible.
Q. How is the trade-in value applied?
A. The estimated trade-in value is given as an initial quote when you begin the process at checkout. After you purchase your new glasses and ship your old device, the final, verified value is refunded back to your original payment method, usually within a few weeks of the device being received and inspected.
