Meta Unveils New Smart Glasses and Virtual Reality Spectacles

Meta has unveiled a new lineup of wearable technology at its Meta Connect conference in Menlo Park, California. The announcements include a set of advanced virtual reality glasses and a series of smart glasses, with particular attention to privacy issues that have begun to tarnish the smart glasses market.

The new Ray-Ban Meta audio-only glasses represent a significant shift, as they do not feature a camera—a response to ongoing privacy concerns that have plagued similar devices. The glasses, which carry the iconic Ray-Ban designs such as the Clubmaster and Burbank styles, are equipped with speakers and microphones for activities like listening to music, making calls, and interacting with Meta’s artificial intelligence assistant. According to company executives, these audio-only glasses can last up to 12 hours on a charge and are priced at £319 (€349/A$529).

In addition to these, Meta also introduced the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 glasses, which do have cameras. These are said to have a longer battery life than earlier models, offering up to nine hours of use and support for Dolby Atmos audio, with a retail price of £409 (€449/A$679). All models come equipped with an LED indicator to notify bystanders when recording is taking place, coupled with enhanced tampering detection.

The company is expanding the availability of its Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses beyond the United States. Initially introduced a year ago, these glasses featuring a virtual display will hit the markets in the UK and Canada starting from 23 September, retailing at £749 (CA$1,149). They will later make their way to France, Germany, and Italy on 13 October, costing €899.

Meta also launched next-generation virtual reality glasses as part of its ongoing commitment to innovation in this space. These new spectacles are significantly lighter than previous models, constructed from magnesium alloy and weighing just 100 grams. They feature a 5K microOLED screen, claimed to offer a sharp 37 pixels per degree, rivalling the Apple Vision Pro headset. The glasses include a front camera system for augmented reality features and situational awareness, allowing users to see their surroundings while engaging with virtual content.

The VR glasses come with a pocket-sized computing unit that connects via a cable, helping to reduce strain on the user's head by distributing the weight. This unit, weighing 300 grams, contains the processing power and a battery lasting up to three hours. Compatible with the existing Quest software library, these glasses prioritise productivity and entertainment over gaming. They include features for displaying multiple virtual windows and can sync with Mac or PC to mirror displays.

Meta describes the VR glasses as ‘IMAX Enhanced,’ capable of supporting immersive 3D experiences. At launch, they will showcase a Disney+ immersive environment that transports viewers into various film landscapes, such as those from Avengers: Infinity War. Notably, the glasses incorporate eye-tracking and hand-gesture controls, allowing users to project a virtual keyboard onto any surface, while still supporting Quest's hand controllers and Xbox gamepads for gaming experiences. The Meta VR glasses are projected to retail at $1,299.99 and are set to be available in spring 2027 across North America, Europe, and Asia.