Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)
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| Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)[1][2][3] | |
|---|---|
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| Basic Info | |
| Type | Smart glasses |
| Subtype | AI glasses |
| Creator | Meta Platforms, EssilorLuxottica |
| Announcement Date | 23 September 2026 |
| Release Date | 23 September 2026 (United States); 1 October 2026 (India) |
| Price | From US$449; from £409 (UK); from €449 (Europe); from AU$679 (Australia); from INR 44,300 (India) |
| AI Wiki | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)[1][2][3] |
| Versions | Aviator, Zena, Wayfarer (standard and large) |
| Predecessor | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | |
| Display | None |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Speakers with a listed loudness of 76.1 dB(C) |
| Microphone | Six-microphone array |
| Camera | 12 MP ultrawide (3024 x 4032 photos); 3K Ultra HD video at 30 fps |
| Connectivity | |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours (glasses); up to 50 hours with charging case (manufacturer figures) |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 129 mm hinge to hinge; 149 mm temple length (standard Wayfarer) |
| Weight | 51.5 g (Wayfarer) |
| Input | Touchpad, capture button, customizable action button |
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) is the third generation of the Ray-Ban Meta camera-equipped smart glasses, developed by Meta Platforms through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica. Meta announced the glasses at Meta Connect on 23 September 2026 and put them on sale the same day, with prices starting at US$449.[1][4]
The Gen 3 keeps the 12-megapixel camera and 3K video capture of its predecessor, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), and adds a sixth microphone, a customizable action button, adjustable temple tips and an extra hour of rated battery life.[5][3] It launched in three frame styles: the new Aviator and Zena designs and a Gen 3 version of the Wayfarer.[1] Like earlier Ray-Ban Meta models, it has no display. Its functions are photo and video capture, audio playback, calls and the Meta AI assistant.[3]
The glasses went on sale in India on 1 October 2026 from INR 44,300.[6] Reviews published in the weeks after launch generally treated the Gen 3 as a small iteration: Gizmodo's full review in October 2026 measured slightly better battery life than the Gen 2 but found no improvement in call quality.[7]
Announcement and release
Meta introduced the Gen 3 at Connect 2026 alongside Ray-Ban Meta Audio, its first audio glasses, which have no camera, and new styles in its Meta Glasses line.[1][8][9] The same keynote also introduced the Meta VR Glasses headset.[4] Meta's newsroom stated that "Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) is available today, with prices starting at $449 USD."[1] MIXED reported that the glasses were on sale in the United States from 23 September 2026.[10]
The US$449 starting price is US$70 more than the Gen 2's.[5] TechRadar listed starting prices of £409 in the United Kingdom and AU$679 in Australia.[3] MIXED gave a German starting price of €449.[10] Trusted Reviews, writing on 24 September 2026, said the glasses were available to buy with a starting price of £409 or €449.[11] The Gen 2 stayed on sale after the Gen 3 launch; at the time of TechRadar's 24 September 2026 comparison it was still priced from US$379, and its Wayfarer, Skyler and Headliner styles remained available.[3]
Meta called the Connect launches its biggest expansion of AI glasses yet through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica. By the end of 2026 it expected to offer more than 100 glasses options across its Ray-Ban, Oakley and Meta Glasses lines.[1][12]
India
On 1 October 2026 Meta announced that the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) was available in India, with prices starting at INR 44,300. It is sold through Meta.com, Ray-Ban's Indian online store and consumer electronics, optical and eyewear retailers. The same announcement named Ranveer Singh as the first brand ambassador in India for Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta, and listed Ray-Ban Meta Audio as coming soon to India without a price or date.[6] MIXED described INR 44,300 as the first Indian price Meta had given for the new glasses and noted that Ray-Ban Meta glasses had first gone on sale in India in May 2025.[13]
Design and styles
Meta describes the Gen 3 as slimmer and more comfortable than the Gen 2.[9][3] Engadget's comparison measured the difference in the carried-over Wayfarer: the standard-fit Gen 2 measures 131 mm from hinge to hinge and the Gen 3 129 mm.[5] TechRadar noted that the weights on Meta's store showed little change for the Wayfarer.[3] Engadget gave a weight of 51.5 g for the Gen 3 against 51 g for the Gen 2, and a Wayfarer temple length of 149 mm against 150 mm; Digital Trends listed approximate Wayfarer weights of 51.5 g and 51 g.[5][14] Gizmodo reported that the arm height is 1 mm lower than on the Gen 2, which made the frames feel less bulky to its reviewer.[7] The frames have professionally adjustable temple tips, the same type Meta used on its Optics line, for a better fit.[1][12]
The glasses are sold in 27 color and lens combinations, including Black, Havana and seasonal colors.[2][1] Buyers can also choose Transitions and prescription lenses.[8]
| Style | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ray-Ban Meta Aviator | New for the Gen 3; based on the Ray-Ban Aviator shape, with thicker frames than the classic wire Aviator[8] | Meta's store listed Standard and High bridge sizes; the Shiny Black Aviator with green polarized lenses was priced at US$479[15] |
| Ray-Ban Meta Zena | New for the Gen 3; Meta calls it "a bold new cat-eye frame"[1] | |
| Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer | New Gen 3 version of the style carried over from the Gen 2[8] | Also offered in a large size[3] |
To mark the 90th anniversary of the Ray-Ban Aviator, Meta released a limited-edition Aviator in Milky Beige with brown Transitions lenses. It is priced at US$579 and sold for a limited time through select channels: Ray-Ban.com, select Ray-Ban stores, Meta.com and Meta Lab stores.[2][4]
The Kylie Jenner and LISA collaborations announced at the same event are part of the separate Meta Glasses line, not the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3). They are an Ivory colorway of the Meta Starfire style and LISA editions of the Meta Adventurer and Meta Capri, each starting at US$399.[1][4][16]
Hardware
Specifications
| Component | Specification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | 12 MP ultrawide; photos at 3024 x 4032 pixels | [1][14] |
| Video | Up to 3K Ultra HD at 30 frames per second | [1][14] |
| Storage | 32 GB | [3] |
| Microphones | Six-microphone array | [1] |
| Speakers | Open-ear speakers, listed loudness 76.1 dB(C) | [3][14] |
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours (glasses); up to 50 hours with the charging case (Meta figures) | [1][5] |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.3 | [14] |
| Processor | Not named by Meta | [14] |
| Controls | Touchpad, capture button, customizable action button, voice | [10][14] |
| Size (standard Wayfarer) | 129 mm hinge to hinge; 149 mm temple length | [5] |
| Weight (Wayfarer) | About 51.5 g | [5][14] |
| Display | None | [3] |
Meta has not named the Gen 3's processor. Digital Trends found no confirmed change from the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 used in the Gen 2, despite pre-launch rumors of a new chip.[14]
Camera
The Gen 3 has a 12-megapixel camera that records 3K Ultra HD video.[1] TechRadar's comparison of the two spec sheets found the camera unchanged from the Gen 2: both use a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor with video up to 3K.[3] The camera is smaller, though: Gizmodo and Digital Trends both reported a reduction of about 36 percent from the Gen 2, and Digital Trends said the figure covers the camera and LED opening.[7][14] Gizmodo noted that the smaller camera makes the glasses harder to spot, and that they still have no camera shutter.[7]
A built-in LED shows people nearby when the wearer takes photos or records video, as on every previous generation.[1] TechRadar reported that Meta had added more protections against attempts to disable or conceal the light.[8] Trusted Reviews described a tamper protection, introduced in July, that disables the glasses if the LED is covered; covering it partway through a recording should stop the glasses working temporarily. Its reviewer disputed Meta's description of "a light you can't miss", writing that the flashing LED could go unnoticed, especially in bright sunlight.[11]
Audio and microphones
Meta says the new six-microphone array "cuts more than 90% of background noise" on calls and voice commands.[1] The Gen 2 had five microphones.[5][3] MIXED noted that Meta did not give test conditions for the noise-reduction figure.[10] The speakers' listed loudness of 76.1 dB(C) is the same as the Gen 2's, and both models have 32 GB of internal storage.[3] Digital Trends wrote that the extra microphone will also enable Dolby Atmos spatial audio capture through a later software update.[14]
Gizmodo tested the noise claim on calls outdoors and indoors with simulated background noise. Both people its reviewer called reported hearing cars, trains and other people clearly in the background, and the reviewer concluded that the Gen 3 seemed to pick up more of the surroundings than earlier generations, although call quality was still better than that of most smart glasses and wireless earbuds.[7]
Battery
Meta rates the glasses at up to nine hours of battery life, one hour more than it quoted for the Gen 2.[1] The charging case supplies up to 50 hours, compared with 48 hours for the Gen 2 case.[5] In its hands-on, Engadget said the actual result depends on how closely a wearer's use matches what Meta considers typical. Its reviewer had got a little more than five hours from Gen 2 glasses with continuous audio playback.[12] In Gizmodo's test, an hour of music playback at about 60 percent volume took the Gen 3 from 100 to 85 percent charge, which the reviewer estimated at about six hours of continuous playback, against about five hours for the previous generation.[7]
Controls
The customizable action button sits beside the touchpad and is new to the Ray-Ban Meta line; by default it opens Meta AI.[10] Meta describes it as giving "instant access to Meta AI".[1] Owners can reassign it to a specific Meta AI command, a capture mode or another feature, such as texting a favorite contact or starting translation.[12][3] The Gen 3 also keeps the photo and video capture button. On the Gen 2 that button worked only with camera features.[3][5]
Software and features
The Gen 3 pairs with the Meta AI companion app on a phone. Its core functions match the Gen 2: audio and video calls, live AI assistance about what the wearer is looking at, and playback of music, podcasts and audiobooks.[3] Features announced with the Gen 3 include:
| Feature | Description | Status at launch |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic photos | Captures several frames so the wearer can choose the best one[1][8] | Promoted with the Gen 3; Meta's release notes list it in the v26 software update for Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta and Meta Glasses from 29 June 2026[17] |
| Dolby Atmos video | Capture and playback of video with spatial audio in Dolby Atmos; Meta says its AI glasses will be the first consumer devices to support this[2] | Not available at launch; scheduled for later in 2026[2][10] |
| Landscape capture | Photos and videos in landscape orientation; Engadget said the capability would eventually reach other models[12][18] | Announced with the Gen 3; not yet available at Engadget's hands-on on 23 September 2026[12] |
| Spatial audio playback | Spatial audio for music and other playback, switched on in the Meta AI app[7] | Began rolling out in a September 2026 software update, according to Gizmodo[7] |
| Mono audio and audio balance | Accessibility options; Meta says audio balance shifts sound toward the left or right ear[9][7] | Available at the time of Gizmodo's October 2026 review[7] |
Meta also said it would bring Muse, its personal AI agent, to its AI glasses.[1] Engadget noted that most features announced with the Gen 3, including the Muse integration, would also reach the Gen 2.[5] Meta's Connect summary said Muse would arrive on the glasses in the coming months, activated by saying the agent's name.[9] Its 1 October 2026 India announcement still listed Muse as coming to the glasses, and Trusted Reviews noted that Muse was not available in the United Kingdom.[6][11]
At Connect, Meta also announced Hearing Enhancement, an FDA-cleared software feature for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. It costs US$149.99 or is available through a Meta One subscription, and was due to launch in the United States later in 2026 on "supported AI glasses"; Meta's summary did not list the supported models.[9] Trusted Reviews listed the feature among those of the Gen 3, and Engadget said it would also come to the Gen 2.[11][5]
Comparison with the Gen 2
| Feature | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (US) | US$379 | US$449 |
| Styles | Wayfarer, Skyler, Headliner | Aviator, Zena, Wayfarer |
| Rated battery (glasses) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Charging case | Up to 48 hours | Up to 50 hours |
| Microphones | 5 | 6 |
| Camera | 12 MP ultrawide, up to 3K video | 12 MP ultrawide, up to 3K video |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Speaker loudness (listed) | 76.1 dB(C) | 76.1 dB(C) |
| Buttons | Capture button (camera features only) | Capture button and customizable action button |
| Width, standard Wayfarer (hinge to hinge) | 131 mm | 129 mm |
| Temple length, Wayfarer | 150 mm | 149 mm |
| Weight, Wayfarer | 51 g | 51.5 g |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Sources: Meta launch materials and published comparisons.[1][5][3][14]
Reception
Early coverage mostly described the Gen 3 as a modest update. Tom's Guide called the changes "mostly cosmetic", pointing to the new button, slightly longer battery life and wider range of styles, and noted that Meta had made no major changes to its privacy policies.[18] In TechRadar's spec comparison, David Nield judged the upgrade smaller than the jump from the first generation to the Gen 2. He said Gen 2 owners did not need to upgrade immediately, but the Gen 3 was more compelling for first-generation owners and new buyers.[3]
Engadget's Karissa Bell welcomed the wider choice of frames in her hands-on. She found the Aviator frames "quite a bit thicker" than other Ray-Ban Meta models and a little loose on her face.[12] TechRadar's Jacob Krol wrote that the Aviators, though thicker than the classic wire version, still framed the face well. He added that privacy concerns about camera glasses remained despite Meta's added LED protections.[8]
Trusted Reviews' Jessica Gorringe, writing first impressions after a morning with the glasses, found the Wayfarer comfortable and called the Gen 3 "a definite upgrade over last year's", but said the privacy issues around the camera could not be denied.[11] Digital Trends' Shikhar Mehrotra concluded that the US$70 price increase over the Gen 2 paid for frame variety and refinement rather than new camera or processing hardware, and that the Gen 3 did not make a compelling case for owners of a working Gen 2, while it was a clear upgrade over the first generation.[14]
In its full review on 7 October 2026, Gizmodo's James Pero gave the glasses a 3.5 rating. He listed the longer battery life, adjustable temple tips and slightly thinner arms as positives, and the unimproved call quality, the price, privacy concerns and quirks with Muse as negatives. He called the Gen 3 "fine for first-time buyers but a bit stale for anyone who's already invested", noting that its software upgrades were not exclusive to the model.[7]
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 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 "Introducing Ray-Ban Meta Audio and More AI Glasses Styles". Meta Newsroom. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/introducing-ray-ban-meta-audio-glasses-new-styles-plus-muse/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Introducing Ray-Ban Meta Audio and Our Deepest Lineup of AI Glasses Yet". Meta Blog. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/ray-ban-meta-audio-and-deepest-ai-glasses-lineup/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 David Nield (2026-09-24). "Meta Ray-Ban Gen 3 vs Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2: should you upgrade to the new smart glasses?". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-ray-ban-gen-3-vs-meta-ray-ban-gen-2-should-you-upgrade-to-the-new-smart-glasses. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Kris Holt (2026-09-23). "Everything announced at Meta Connect 2026". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2267230/everything-announced-at-meta-connect-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Ian Carlos Campbell (2026-09-24). "Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 vs. Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: How these AI glasses compare". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2268392/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-ai-glasses-comparison/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Announcing Ranveer Singh as Brand Ambassador for Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta in India along with Exciting New Updates to our AI Glasses". Meta Newsroom. Meta Platforms. 2026-10-01. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/10/announcing-ranveer-singh-as-brand-ambassador-for-ray-ban-and-ray-ban-meta-in-india-along-with-exciting-new-updates-to-our-ai-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 James Pero (2026-10-07). "Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Review: Technically an Upgrade". Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-ai-glasses-review-2000822961. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Jacob Krol (2026-09-23). "I tried Meta's new Ray-Ban Gen 3 - cooler, leaner, smarter, but privacy questions may linger". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/i-tried-metas-new-ray-ban-gen-3-cooler-leaner-smarter-but-privacy-questions-may-linger. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Everything We Announced at Meta Connect 2026". Meta Blog. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/meta-connect-2026-everything-we-announced/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Shane S. Ellison (2026-09-24). "Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 costs $449, adds an hour of battery and an action button". MIXED. https://mixed-news.com/en/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-449-nine-hours-action-button/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Jessica Gorringe (2026-09-24). "I tried the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 3) ahead of launch and they will be as controversial as ever". Trusted Reviews. https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/ray-ban-meta-glasses-gen-3. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Karissa Bell (2026-09-23). "Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 hands-on: Better battery life and a price hike". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2267213/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-hands-on-better-battery-life/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Chris Steven (2026-10-03). "Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 goes on sale in India from INR 44,300, with Muse still months away". MIXED. https://mixed-news.com/en/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-india-inr-44300-muse-coming/. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 Shikhar Mehrotra (2026-09-25). "Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 vs. Gen 2: It's better, but I wouldn't rush to upgrade". Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-its-better-but-i-wouldnt-rush-to-upgrade/. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ "Shiny Black Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Aviator - Polar". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-aviator-shiny-black-green-polarized/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ James Pero (2026-09-23). "Meta's Next-Gen Smart Glasses Have a Longer Battery Life and a K-Pop Collab". Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/metas-next-gen-smart-glasses-have-a-longer-battery-life-and-a-k-pop-collab-2000816182. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "AI glasses release notes". AI Glasses Help. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/help/ai-glasses/1809764829519902/. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Scott Younker (2026-09-23). "Ray-Ban Meta (gen 3) smart glasses - lots more styles, longer battery life, but same privacy controls". Tom's Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/smart-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-smart-glasses-lots-more-styles-longer-battery-life-but-same-privacy-controls. Retrieved 2026-09-25.