Ray-Ban Meta
| Ray-Ban Meta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | Smart glasses |
| Subtype | Wearable camera |
| Platform | iOS, Android |
| Creator | Meta Platforms, EssilorLuxottica (Ray-Ban) |
| Manufacturer | EssilorLuxottica |
| Announcement Date | September 27, 2023 |
| Release Date | October 17, 2023 |
| Price | Starting at $299 USD |
| Website | https://www.ray-ban.com/usa/discover-ray-ban-meta-ai-glasses |
| Versions | Wayfarer (Standard, Large), Headliner, Skyler (added 2024) |
| Requires | Smartphone (iOS or Android), Meta View app, Meta account, Wi-Fi |
| Predecessor | Ray-Ban Stories |
| Successor | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) (2025) |
| System | |
| Operating System | Proprietary Meta firmware |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | |
| Display | None (audio and AI only, no visual overlay) |
| Image | |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Clear, polarized, Transitions, or prescription lenses |
| Tracking | |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Open-ear speakers |
| Microphone | Five-microphone array |
| Camera | 12 MP ultra-wide (1080p video, up to 60 seconds) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C (on charging case) |
| Battery Capacity | 154 mAh (glasses) |
| Battery Life | Up to 4 hours mixed use (glasses); up to 36 hours with charging case |
| Device | |
| Weight | 48.6 g to 50.8 g (varies by style) |
| Material | Acetate frame |
| Color | Multiple frame and lens options |
| Input | Capture button, capacitive touchpad, voice ("Hey Meta") |
| Compliance | IPX4 water resistant |
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The Ray-Ban Meta (marketed as Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses) is a line of smart glasses developed through a partnership between Meta Platforms and EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban. The glasses were announced on September 27, 2023, at Meta Connect and released on October 17, 2023, with a starting price of $299.[1] They are the second generation of the partnership's smart glasses, succeeding the Ray-Ban Stories released in 2021.[2]
The glasses combine Ray-Ban eyewear designs with an integrated camera, open-ear speakers, a microphone array, and the Meta AI voice assistant. They do not include a visual display or overlay digital content onto the wearer's view; instead they focus on hands-free photo and video capture, audio playback, calls, and voice-driven AI assistance.[3] A successor with a similar design but improved battery life and video capture, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), was released in 2025.[4]
History
The collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica began with the first-generation Ray-Ban Stories, launched in September 2021.[5] The second-generation glasses were unveiled by Meta at Meta Connect on September 27, 2023, with pre-orders opening the same day and general availability beginning October 17, 2023.[1] Compared with Ray-Ban Stories, the headline changes were a higher-resolution camera, a redesigned audio system, larger onboard storage, newer wireless connectivity, and the addition of the Meta AI assistant.[2]
In April 2024, Meta added new frame styles and began rolling out multimodal AI features that let the assistant respond to what the camera sees.[6]
Design
The glasses keep the appearance of standard Ray-Ban frames, with the technology built into acetate temples and frame fronts. At launch they were offered in the Wayfarer style (Standard and Large sizes) and a Headliner style; a Skyler style was added in 2024.[1][6] Lens options include clear, tinted (sunglass), polarized, photochromic Transitions, and prescription lenses fitted by an optician.[7] Weight ranges from about 48.6 grams to 50.8 grams depending on the style.[8] The frames carry an IPX4 rating for resistance to splashes.[1]
Hardware
The glasses are built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform and include 32 GB of onboard storage, which Meta states holds more than 500 photos or more than 100 video clips.[1][7] Wireless connectivity uses Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3.[9]
Camera
The glasses have a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, an increase from the 5-megapixel sensors used in Ray-Ban Stories. It records 1080p video in a portrait orientation (1440 by 1920 pixels) at 30 frames per second, in clips of up to 60 seconds.[1][9] A capture button on the right temple or the "Hey Meta" voice command triggers photo and video capture, and an external LED illuminates when the camera is active to signal recording to bystanders.[3] Livestreaming to Facebook and Instagram is supported through the Meta View app.[1]
Audio
Open-ear speakers in the temples play music, podcasts, and call audio while leaving the ears uncovered. Meta states the speakers deliver higher maximum volume and more bass than those in Ray-Ban Stories.[1] A five-microphone array, up from three in the previous generation, is used for calls, voice commands, and audio recording.[1]
Battery
The glasses contain a 154 mAh battery rated for up to about four hours of mixed use.[1][9] The included charging case holds additional charges for a total of up to 36 hours of use, and it recharges over USB-C.[1]
Meta AI
The glasses integrate Meta AI, activated by the phrase "Hey Meta." At launch the assistant handled tasks such as answering questions, controlling playback, and sending messages; the Meta AI features were available in the United States in beta at launch.[1] A 2024 update introduced multimodal features that let the assistant interpret what the camera sees, supporting capabilities such as identifying objects and translating text in view.[6]
Software
The glasses require the Meta View companion app for iOS and Android, which is used to pair the glasses, import and edit captured photos and videos, manage settings, update firmware, and start livestreams. A Meta account is required.[7][3]
Comparison with Ray-Ban Stories
| Feature | Ray-Ban Stories | Ray-Ban Meta |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | 5 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 720p | 1080p |
| Microphones | 3 | 5 |
| Storage | 4 GB | 32 GB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Voice assistant | "Hey Facebook" | Meta AI ("Hey Meta") |
| Starting price | $299 | $299 |
Sources: Meta launch announcements for each generation.[5][1]
Reception and sales
Reviewers generally regarded the glasses as a marked improvement over Ray-Ban Stories, citing the camera, audio quality, and discreet design, while noting the short on-glasses battery life, the 60-second video limit, and privacy questions inherent to a wearable camera.[3][8] In February 2025, EssilorLuxottica reported that 2 million pairs of the glasses had been sold since the October 2023 launch.[10]
Images
Wayfarer
Skyler
Headliner
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "Introducing the New Ray-Ban". Meta. 2023-09-27. https://about.fb.com/news/2023/09/new-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ray-Ban and Meta launch the next generation of smart glasses". EssilorLuxottica. 2023-09-27. https://www.essilorluxottica.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/ray-ban-and-meta-launch-the-next-generation-of-smart-glasses/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Song, Victoria (2023-09-27). "Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses review: the wearable camera finally makes sense". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/23922425/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-review.
- ↑ "Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Now With Up to 2X the Battery Life and Better Video Capture". Meta. 2025-09-17. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/09/ray-ban-meta-gen-2-better-battery-life-video-capture/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Introducing Ray-Ban Stories: First-Generation Smart Glasses". Meta. 2021-09-09. https://about.fb.com/news/2021/09/introducing-ray-ban-stories-smart-glasses/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "New Ray-Ban". Meta. 2024-04-25. https://about.fb.com/news/2024/04/new-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-styles-and-meta-ai-updates/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses FAQ". Ray-Ban. https://www.ray-ban.com/usa/c/frequently-asked-questions-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses review". TechRadar. 2024-07-03. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-collection-review.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Discover Ray-Ban". Ray-Ban. https://www.ray-ban.com/usa/discover-ray-ban-meta-ai-glasses.
- ↑ Hollister, Sean (February 2025). "Meta's Ray-Ban glasses have sold 2 million pairs since launch". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/news/613292/meta-ray-ban-2-million-10-million-capacity-subscription-essilor-luxottica-earnings.