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Ray-Ban Meta vs Oakley Meta HSTN

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Ray-Ban Meta vs Oakley Meta HSTN compares the Ray-Ban Meta, a line of camera-equipped AI smart glasses from Meta Platforms and EssilorLuxottica sold under the Ray-Ban brand, with the Oakley Meta HSTN, a sport-styled pair of AI glasses from the same partnership sold under the Oakley brand.[1][2] The Ray-Ban side of this page is the current model, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), which went on sale on 23 September 2026; the older Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) is still sold and, according to Android Central, uses the same internal hardware as the HSTN.[1][3][4] As of October 2026, Meta's US store lists the Gen 3 from US$449 and the HSTN from US$399.[5] Neither has a display, and Meta lists the same 12 MP wide-angle camera with a 100° field of view and video up to 3K at 30 frames per second for both.[5] Meta rates the Gen 3 for up to 9 hours per charge plus 50 hours from its case, against up to 8 hours plus 48 hours for the HSTN, and the Gen 3 adds a sixth microphone and a customizable action button.[5] The HSTN is a single Oakley frame offered with Prizm, Prizm Polarized, Transitions and clear lenses, while the Gen 3 comes in Wayfarer (standard and large), Aviator and Zena styles.[5][1]

Reviewed 14 October 2026. Specifications, US and regional prices, dates and review attributions checked against the cited Meta store and help pages, Meta and Oakley announcements, Oakley FAQ, Qualcomm and press sources. About review dates.

Specifications at a glance

Values are manufacturer figures. Meta does not publish one spec sheet for the whole Gen 3 range, so per-style values are given for the Wayfarer, Aviator and Zena where they differ.

Specification Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Oakley Meta HSTN
Maker Meta Platforms with EssilorLuxottica (Ray-Ban brand); EssilorLuxottica gives the 12-month warranty[1][6] Meta Platforms with EssilorLuxottica (Oakley brand); EssilorLuxottica gives the 12-month warranty[2][7]
Announced 23 September 2026 (Meta Connect 2026)[1][8] 20 June 2025[2]
Released 23 September 2026, on sale the day it was announced[1] Limited Edition: pre-order 11 July 2025, on sale from 22 July 2025; rest of the collection: pre-order 19 August 2025, in stores 26 August 2025[9]
Status (October 2026) On sale[6] On sale[7]
Launch price (US) From US$449[1] From US$399; Limited Edition US$499[2]
Official US price, October 2026 From US$449; US$479 with polarized lenses; US$529 with Transitions lenses[6][10][11] From US$399; US$449 with Prizm Polarized lenses; US$479 with Transitions lenses[7][12][13]
Type AI glasses with camera, no display[5] AI glasses with camera, no display[5]
Chip Not stated by Meta Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, per Qualcomm[14]
Storage 32 GB flash (1,000+ photos, 100+ 30-second videos)[6] 32 GB flash (1,000+ photos, 100+ 30-second videos)[7]
Display None[5] None[5]
Camera 12 MP ultra-wide, 100° field of view, left-oriented[5][6] 12 MP ultra-wide, 100° field of view, left-oriented[5][7]
Photo resolution 3024 x 4032 pixels[6] 3024 x 4032 pixels[7]
Video (as listed on each spec sheet) 3K Ultra HD at 30 fps; 1080p+ at 30 or 60 fps; 720p+ at 120 fps[6] 3K at 30 fps; 1080p at 30 or 60 fps[7]
Capture features listed on Meta's comparison page Dynamic photo, Photo Ultra HDR, autocapture, hyperlapse, slow motion, adjustable stabilization for 1080p+ at 30 fps[5] Same list[5]
Speakers Open-ear, adaptive volume; listed loudness 76.1 dB(C)[6] Two open-ear speakers, adaptive volume; listed loudness 76.1 dB(C)[7][5]
Microphones 6-mic array[6] 5-mic array (2 in each arm, 1 near the nose pad)[7]
Controls Two-way touchpad, capture button, customizable action button, voice, power switch[5] Two-way touchpad, capture button, voice, power switch[5]
Lenses Sun, polarized, Transitions and clear[5] Prizm, Prizm Polarized, Transitions and clear[5]
Frame styles and fit Wayfarer (standard and large), Aviator, Zena; 27 color and lens combinations; adjustable temple tips[1][5] One HSTN frame, "one size fits most"; 8 frame and lens combinations on Meta's US store[5][7]
Prescription range (Meta figure) -12.00 to +6.00 total power[6] -12.00 to +6.00 total power[7]
Weight (glasses) Wayfarer 51.5 g (standard) or 53.8 g (large); Aviator 54.5 g; Zena 52.5 g[6][15][16] 53 g[7]
Weight (charging case) 133 g[6] 213 g[7]
Hinge-to-hinge width Wayfarer 129 mm (standard) or 135 mm (large); Aviator 134 mm; Zena 129 mm[6][15][16] 133 mm[7]
Battery life (glasses) Up to 9 hours[6] Up to 8 hours of typical use; up to 5 hours of continuous audio playback; up to 19 hours on standby[7][17]
Charging case Up to 50 additional hours[6] Up to 48 additional hours; case recharges fully in 3.5 hours over USB-C[7]
Fast charging (glasses) Up to 50% in 20 minutes[6] Up to 50% in 20 minutes; up to 80% in 45 minutes[2][17]
Water resistance IPX4 (Meta's rating for Ray-Ban Meta glasses; not repeated on the Gen 3 spec sheet)[18] IPX4[18][2][17]
Wi-Fi Listed as "N/A" on the Gen 3 spec sheet[6] Wi-Fi 6 certified[7]
Bluetooth 5.3[6] 5.3[7]
Phone compatibility iOS 17 or later, Android 10 or later[6] iOS 15.2 or later, Android 10 or later[7]
Companion app Meta AI app[6] Meta AI app[7]

Display and see-through design

Neither pair has a display: Meta lists "No display" for both on its comparison page.[5] The visible differences are the frame shapes and the lenses. The Gen 3 is offered in three Ray-Ban styles, the classic square Wayfarer (in standard and large sizes), the Aviator and the Zena, which Meta describes as "a bold new cat-eye frame", in 27 color and lens combinations.[1] The HSTN is one Oakley frame; Meta's comparison page describes it as "one size fits most", and its store offers standard and high-bridge fits.[7][5]

Lens choice also differs. Ray-Ban models come with sun, polarized, Transitions or clear lenses, while the HSTN uses Oakley's Prizm lenses (polarized or not), Transitions or clear lenses.[5] Oakley says Prizm lenses "fine-tune vision and optimize contrast across light and weather conditions".[19] Meta's store gives the same prescription range for both, -12.00 to +6.00 total power.[6][7] Oakley's own site gives a narrower eligible range of -6.00 to +4.00 for its Oakley Authentic Prescription lenses on the HSTN.[19] See also Prescription lens inserts.

Performance and hardware

The camera hardware is the same on paper. Meta lists a 12 MP wide-angle camera with a 100° field of view, mounted on the left side, for both pairs, with photos at 3024 x 4032 pixels and video up to 3K at 30 frames per second or 1080p at up to 60 frames per second.[5][6][7] Meta's comparison page also lists the same capture features for both: dynamic photo, Photo Ultra HDR, autocapture, hyperlapse and slow motion.[5] Both store 32 GB, have open-ear speakers with the same listed loudness of 76.1 dB(C), and connect to the phone over Bluetooth 5.3.[6][7] Qualcomm lists the HSTN as using its Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform; Meta does not name the Gen 3's processor on its spec sheet.[14][6]

Audio input differs. The Gen 3 has a six-microphone array that Meta says "cuts more than 90% of background noise", while the HSTN has five microphones, two in each arm and one near the nose pad.[1][7] MIXED noted that Meta gave no test conditions for the noise figure.[20]

The HSTN's position against the Ray-Ban line has changed over time. When the HSTN was announced in June 2025, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) had not yet been announced, and in its August 2025 review Tom's Guide contrasted the HSTN's 3K video with the 1080p footage of the Ray-Ban glasses.[2][21] The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), announced on 17 September 2025, brought 3K capture and an 8-hour rating to the Ray-Ban frames.[22] Meta's comparison page now lists the Gen 2 Wayfarer and the HSTN with the same battery ratings (8 hours plus 48 hours from the case), the same five-microphone array and the same camera features; the Gen 3 is the model that moves ahead of the HSTN on battery and microphones.[5]

Controls and input

Both pairs have a two-way touchpad on the temple, a capture button for photos and video, voice control through Meta AI ("Hey Meta") and a power switch.[5] The Gen 3 adds a customizable action button, which Meta describes as giving "instant access to Meta AI"; the HSTN does not have one.[1][5] On the Gen 3 the button can be reassigned to other functions, such as texting a favorite contact or starting translation, according to TechRadar.[23] Both have an LED that lights up while the camera is taking photos or recording video, to show people nearby.[1][19]

Software and content

Both pairs run the same Meta AI assistant and pair with the same Meta AI app on iOS or Android, which is used to manage the glasses, customize settings, share photos and interact with the assistant.[6][7] Meta's comparison page lists the same listening features for both, including AI integration with Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Audible and Shazam.[5] The Gen 3 requires a newer iPhone operating system (iOS 17 or later, against iOS 15.2 or later for the HSTN); both need Android 10 or later.[6][7]

Meta's HSTN store page lists fitness integrations with Garmin and Strava; the Gen 3 store page does not mention them.[7][6] When it announced the Gen 2 in September 2025, Meta said a "conversation focus" software update would come to both Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses.[22]

Comfort, weight and battery

Weights are close. Meta lists the HSTN at 53 g, against 51.5 g for a standard Gen 3 Wayfarer, 53.8 g for the large Wayfarer, 54.5 g for the Aviator and 52.5 g for the Zena.[7][6][15][16] The HSTN's charging case is heavier, at 213 g against 133 g for the Gen 3 case.[7][6] The Gen 3 has adjustable temple tips; Meta's comparison page lists no adjustable temple tips for the HSTN.[5]

Meta rates the Gen 3 for up to 9 hours on a charge, with up to 50 more hours from the case, and the HSTN for up to 8 hours with up to 48 more hours from its case.[6][7] Oakley adds that a fully charged HSTN lasts up to 5 hours of continuous audio playback and up to 19 hours on standby, and that the glasses charge to 80% in 45 minutes.[17] Meta says both reach 50% in 20 minutes.[6][2] Both carry an IPX4 water resistance rating, which Meta and Oakley say covers light rain but not submersion.[18][17] Meta's help article gives the rating for Ray-Ban Meta glasses in general; the Gen 3 spec sheet does not repeat it.[18][6]

Price and availability

Both are on sale as of October 2026. The HSTN was announced on 20 June 2025 at US$399, with a US$499 Limited Edition that has gold accents and 24K Prizm Polar lenses.[2][9] The Limited Edition went on sale on 22 July 2025 and the rest of the collection reached stores on 26 August 2025.[9] At launch Meta listed 15 countries for the HSTN: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.[2] The Gen 3 was announced and went on sale on 23 September 2026 from US$449.[1] In the same announcement, Meta said Oakley Meta and Ray-Ban Meta glasses would reach further markets later in 2026, including Turkey, Poland, Portugal, Israel, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Malaysia, Macau and the Philippines (Macau appears in Meta's blog post but not in the newsroom version).[1][8]

On Meta's US store, the price of both pairs depends on the lens:

Lens type (Meta US store, 14 October 2026) Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Oakley Meta HSTN
Clear or standard tinted lenses US$449 (for example Havana with green lenses, Matte Black with clear lenses)[6] US$399 (for example Black with clear lenses, Black with Prizm Dark Golf, Warm Grey with Prizm Ruby)[7]
Polarized US$479[10] US$449 (Prizm Polarized)[12]
Transitions US$529[11] US$479[13]

Oakley's US site lists the HSTN at the same US$399, US$449 and US$479 price points.[17] To mark the Ray-Ban Aviator's 90th anniversary, Meta also sells a limited-edition Ray-Ban Meta Aviator in Milky Beige with brown Transitions lenses from US$579, for a limited time in select channels.[8] The Gen 2 Wayfarer remains on sale from US$379.[3]

Meta's regional stores showed these prices on 14 October 2026 for the entry configurations (Gen 3 Wayfarer in Havana with green lenses; HSTN in Black with clear lenses):

Region Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Oakley Meta HSTN
United Kingdom £409[24][23] £399[25]
Germany 449 €[26] 439 €[27]
Australia AU$679[28][23] AU$659[29]

Reviews comparing the two

No published review comparing the Gen 3 directly with the HSTN was found as of 14 October 2026. Earlier comparisons set the HSTN against the Ray-Ban models then on sale.

In a September 2025 comparison with the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich wrote that "both glasses feature identical hardware, specs, and features", so the choice came down to style.[30] Discussing the temple tip style of each pair, he wrote that in his testing, using burpees, the HSTN did not stay on as well as the Ray-Bans when he tilted his head a lot. He cited Oakley's Prizm lenses as a reason to choose the HSTN for people who spend a lot of time outside, and the wider choice of Ray-Ban styles, plus a starting price US$20 lower, as points in favor of the Gen 2.[30]

Tom's Guide's Kate Kozuch reviewed the HSTN in August 2025, when only the US$499 limited-edition version was available, and compared it with the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses. She found the HSTN's 3K video noticeably sharper than the Ray-Ban's 1080p footage and got close to an hour of video capture per charge, against about 30 minutes with the Ray-Bans.[21] She wrote that for buyers who value "fashion, flexibility, or everyday wearability" the Ray-Ban Meta was still a better fit, citing its lower price, style choices and prescription support, which the HSTN did not offer at the time.[21] Meta's store now lists prescription lenses for the HSTN.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 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 "Introducing Ray-Ban Meta Audio and More AI Glasses Styles". About Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/introducing-ray-ban-meta-audio-glasses-new-styles-plus-muse/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 "Introducing Oakley Meta Glasses, a New Category of Performance AI Glasses". About Meta. Meta Platforms. 2025-06-20. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/06/introducing-oakley-meta-glasses-a-new-category-of-performance-ai-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Wayfarer Glasses and Sunglasses". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-wayfarer-gen-2/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  4. ↑ "Which Meta smart glasses should you buy?". Android Central. 2025-09-21. https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/which-meta-smart-glasses-should-you-buy. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  5. ↑ 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 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 "Compare Meta Glasses: Meta, Ray-Ban and Oakley AI Glasses". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/compare/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 6.32 "Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer AI Glasses (Gen 3)". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-wayfarer/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 "Shop Oakley Meta HSTN Performance AI Glasses for Sports". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "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 2026-10-14.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "UPDATE: Oakley Meta HSTN Now Available". Meta Blog. Meta Platforms. 2025-08-26. https://www.meta.com/blog/oakley-meta-ai-glasses-sports-wearables-hstn/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "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 2026-10-14.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Shiny Black Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Wayfarer - Transitions Grey". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-wayfarer-shiny-black-grey-transitions/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Buy Oakley Meta HSTN Prizm Black Polarized Black". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-black-prizm-black-polarized/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Buy Oakley Meta HSTN Clear to Amethyst Transitions Black". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-black-amethyst-transitions/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Meta Oakley HSTN". Qualcomm XR device finder. Qualcomm. https://www.qualcomm.com/xr-vr-ar/device-finder/meta-oakley-hstn. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Havana Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Aviator - Transitions Brown". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-aviator-havana-brown-transitions/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Shiny Black Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) Zena - Transitions". Meta Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-zena-shiny-black-graphite-green-transitions/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 "Learn About Oakley Performance Meta AI Glasses". Oakley. Oakley, Inc.. https://www.oakley.com/en-us/oakley-meta-faq. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 "Water resistance and AI glasses". Meta AI Glasses Help Center. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/help/ai-glasses/1373813127651086/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "The New Oakley Performance Meta AI Glasses". Oakley. Oakley, Inc.. https://www.oakley.com/en-us/l/oakley-meta. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  20. ↑ 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 2026-10-14.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Kate Kozuch (2025-08-21). "Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review: What I love (and what's still missing)". Tom's Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/smart-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-smart-glasses-review-what-i-love-and-whats-still-missing. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Now With Up to 2X the Battery Life and Better Video Capture". About Meta. Meta Platforms. 2025-09-17. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/09/ray-ban-meta-gen-2-better-battery-life-video-capture/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 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 2026-10-14.
  24. ↑ "Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer AI Glasses (Gen 3)". Meta Store (en-GB). Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/gb/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-wayfarer/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  25. ↑ "Buy Oakley Meta HSTN Clear Black". Meta Store (en-GB). Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/gb/ai-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-black-clear/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  26. ↑ "Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer-AI Glasses (Gen 3)". Meta Store (de-DE). Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/de/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-wayfarer/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  27. ↑ "Oakley Meta HSTN Clear Black kaufen". Meta Store (de-DE). Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/de/ai-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-black-clear/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  28. ↑ "Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer AI Glasses (Gen 3)". Meta Store (en-AU). Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/au/ai-glasses/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-wayfarer/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  29. ↑ "Buy Oakley Meta HSTN Clear Black". Meta Store (en-AU). Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/au/ai-glasses/oakley-meta-hstn-black-clear/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Nicholas Sutrich (2025-09-25). "Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) vs. Oakley Meta HSTN: An easy choice". Android Central. https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/ray-ban-meta-gen-2-vs-oakley-meta-hstn. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
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