Meta Introduces First-Ever Ray-Ban Frames with Built-In Augmented Reality Display
Meta has revealed multiple new models of AI-powered smart glasses, including the inaugural Ray-Ban design with a built-in display for augmented reality functionality.
A Contemporary Approach on Smart Eyewear
These smart glasses represent the first mainstream wearable device with a visual interface following the notable earlier attempt. Crafted with a timeless iconic styling, they avoid looking overly futuristic, while still including a recording device, audio output, and microphone.
A small, bright, and sharp visual screen is displayed onto the inner surface of the eyepiece, appearing to float just beneath the wearer’s field of vision. This display can show everything including messages and graphics to live video calls. Importantly, the screen is only visible during use and cannot be seen from the exterior. An LED notifies others when the camera is active.
“Eyewear are the sole device type where you can let AI see what you see, hear what you hear,” stated Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during the Meta Connect.
Features and Functionality
Similar to previous versions, the new smartwear include a touch panel on the temples and voice control for direct operation. They also are accompanied by a sweat-proof wristband that senses muscle signals in the forearm, enabling control of the phone-like interface via motions. This accessory, which resembles a display-free smartwatch, can recognize pinches, swipes, turns, and other familiar gestures. Later, it will also support handwriting using a finger.
The glasses need a wireless connection to an Google or iPhone smartphone and facilitate messaging and visual chats through texts and multiple applications, such as WhatsApp and Instagram. They can display subtitles or interpretations of dialogues, offer turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, and even serve as a viewfinder when capturing images.
Power and Availability
The glasses last for up to six hours of typical usage and charge in a foldable charging dock for as much as over a day of total battery life. Meta’s virtual assistant can also deliver image-based and written answers to questions, such as recipes, information on paintings or landmarks, and additional real-world data via the camera.
These Meta Ray-Ban Display will be available in the US from the end of September starting at $799 before releasing to the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canadian territory in the first part of 2026.
Oakley Meta Vanguard
In addition to the display-equipped glasses, Meta also unveiled a set of display-free performance wearables designed for athletic activities. The Oakley Meta Vanguard features a wrap-around design similar to the brand’s Radar sport glasses, but incorporates a front-facing recorder in the nose piece, audio inputs, and sound outputs for audio, calls, AI, and content capture during exercise. Tipping the scales at 66 grams, they offer interchangeable lenses, water resistance, up to nine hours per battery cycle, and a secure fit with replaceable nose pads in various dimensions.
Meta has partnered with a leading sports tracker manufacturer to sync the glasses with the company’s wearables and bike computers. Athletes can request data such as current speed, pulse, or length during runs or other activities, while an LED within the glasses blinks when achieving a target metric.
The recording function can also automatically capture video clips when the user hits milestones such as specific distances, pace thresholds, elevation, or heart rate zones, combining them with data overlays to produce a summary video of notable moments from races, climbs, or training sessions. Media can be shared directly to Strava.
These sports glasses will be priced at 499 pounds (549 euros/$499), shipping from late October. Meanwhile, a updated new version of the first smart eyewear model with twice the battery life and a sharper recording lens is on sale for 379 pounds (€419/379 dollars).