Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)
| Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)[1][2][3] | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| Type | Smart glasses |
| Subtype | AI glasses |
| Creator | Meta Platforms, EssilorLuxottica |
| Announcement Date | 23 September 2026 |
| Release Date | 23 September 2026 (United States) |
| Price | From US$449; from £409 (UK); from AU$679 (Australia) |
| 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; 3K Ultra HD video |
| Connectivity | |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours (glasses); up to 50 hours with charging case (manufacturer figures) |
| Device | |
| Input | Touchpad, capture button, customizable action button |
| Size | 129 mm hinge to hinge (Wayfarer) |
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]
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][6][7] 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.[8]
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.[8] 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][9]
Design and styles
Meta describes the Gen 3 as slimmer and more comfortable than the Gen 2.[7][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] The frames have professionally adjustable temple tips, the same type Meta used on its Optics line, for a better fit.[1][9]
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.[6]
| 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[6] | Meta's store listed Standard and High bridge sizes; the Shiny Black Aviator with green polarized lenses was priced at US$479[10] |
| 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[6] | 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][11]
Hardware
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] 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.[6]
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.[8] 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]
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.[9]
Controls
The customizable action button sits beside the touchpad and is new to the Ray-Ban Meta line; by default it opens Meta AI.[8] 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.[9][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][6] | Announced with the Gen 3 |
| 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][8] |
| Landscape capture | Photos and videos in landscape orientation; Engadget said the capability would eventually reach other models[9][12] | Announced with the Gen 3 |
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]
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 |
Sources: Meta launch materials and published comparisons.[1][5][3]
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.[12] 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.[9] 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.[6]
See also
- Ray-Ban Meta
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)
- Ray-Ban Meta Audio
- Meta Ray-Ban Display
- Meta Glasses
- Smart glasses
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 "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 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.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 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 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "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.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 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.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 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.