At Meta Connect 2025, held September 17–18 in Menlo Park, California, the company introduced three new smart glasses, signaling its ambition to make augmented reality (AR) the next major computing platform.
In partnership with EssilorLuxottica and Oakley, Meta rolled out camera-centric audio glasses, AR display glasses, and sport-focused wearables—all powered by its upgraded Meta AI.
Despite a few demo hiccups, the lineup underscores Meta’s push to position smart glasses as a viable alternative to smartphones.
New Smart Glasses Lineup
CEO Mark Zuckerberg framed the new products as a step toward "personal superintelligence."
Unlike VR headsets, smart glasses keep users grounded in the real world while layering in AI features such as live translation, navigation, and hands-free calls.
With more than 2 million Ray-Ban Meta glasses sold since 2023, Meta is now betting on broader consumer adoption through expanded styles and functions.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: Upgraded Basics
(Credit: Meta)
Priced at $379, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 builds on the success of the first generation.
It offers a 12MP camera capable of 3K Ultra HD video, 8-hour battery life (extendable to 36 hours with the case), and IPX4 water resistance.
Enhanced Meta AI supports natural voice queries, real-time translation, and seamless integration with WhatsApp and Instagram.
vailable immediately, this model targets users who want stylish, practical wearables for daily use.
Oakley Meta: Sports Focus
(Credit: Meta)
Starting at $499, the Oakley Meta Vanguard targets athletes with a rugged IP67 design and 12MP camera for 3K video.
It features louder speakers, a helmet-friendly button, and Garmin watch integration for heart rate tracking.
Preorders started September 17, with shipping on October 21, 2025.
AR Display Glasses Debut
The highlight of the event was the $799 Ray-Ban Meta Display, codenamed Hypernova.
It introduces a full-color monocular display (42 pixels per degree, 5,000 nits brightness) built into the right lens.
Bundled with the new Meta Neural Band for gesture control, the glasses can display navigation maps, message previews, and real-time captions.
The device ships in the US on September 30, 2025, with EU, UK, and Canada launches planned for 2026.
Neural Band: Gesture Control
Included with the Display model, the Neural Band uses electromyography (EMG) to detect forearm signals for swipes, pinches, and taps.
With 18-hour battery life and IPX7 resistance, it processes inputs on-device for privacy.
Future updates will add handwriting input and third-party app support.
Market & Challenges
Meta has invested $150 million in EssilorLuxottica and partnered with Qualcomm (Snapdragon AR1+ chip) and VoxelSensors to advance its AR ecosystem.
Yet competition is fierce, with Google's Warby Parker collaboration, Apple's rumored 2026 glasses, Amazon's "Jayhawk" project, and Snap's Spectacles all vying for market share.
Adoption may be slowed by the $799 price tag, US-only availability at launch, and the on-stage demo glitches involving AI and calls.
Privacy remains another concern, highlighted by warnings from Harvard students about potential facial recognition misuse.
Editor's Comments
Meta's 2025 smart glasses lineup reflects a clear shift from VR novelty to practical AR tools, in line with forecasts predicting 14.3 million AR/VR units shipped this year.
The Ray-Ban Meta Display, with its sleek AR visuals and gesture controls, hints at a post-smartphone future—but cost and rollout limitations could temper momentum.
Demo stumbles, while awkward, are hardly unusual in tech history (Apple's 2017 Face ID mishap comes to mind).
And although privacy measures like on-device processing are reassuring, public skepticism lingers.
If Meta can balance affordability, reliability, and privacy protections by the expected 2027 Orion launch, its smart glasses could meaningfully reshape how people work, play, and connect.
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