Meta Unveils Ray-Ban Display: Smart Glasses with Integrated Display

At its annual Connect conference on September 17, 2025, Meta unveiled the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a new line of smart glasses featuring an integrated display in the right lens. Priced at $799, these glasses are designed to provide users with real-time information such as notifications, navigation, and messages directly within their field of vision. The device is controlled via the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that interprets subtle hand gestures, allowing for hands-free interaction. The glasses are set to be available starting September 30, 2025.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses incorporate a 600×600-pixel, 500-nit waveguide display on the right lens, enabling users to view apps, alerts, and directions within their line of sight. The accompanying Meta Neural Band wristband utilizes surface electromyography (sEMG) to detect minute hand gestures, facilitating hands-free control of the device. This wristband boasts an 18-hour battery life and is water-resistant.

In addition to the Meta Ray-Ban Display, Meta introduced the second generation of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, featuring double the battery life of its predecessor (up to eight hours of mixed use) and ultra HD 3K video recording capabilities. These glasses are priced at $379.

Meta also unveiled the Oakley Meta Vanguard sport glasses, equipped with a 12MP wide camera and native integrations with Strava and Garmin, targeting athletes. These glasses are priced at $499 and are scheduled for release on October 21.

During the initial demonstrations at the Connect conference, the Meta Ray-Ban Display faced technical issues, including a failed call attempt during CEO Mark Zuckerberg's presentation. Concerns have also been raised regarding the device's design and functionality, particularly its weight and the visibility of the recording indicator light, which may impact user experience and privacy.

Meta's launch of the Ray-Ban Display smart glasses comes at a time when the company's Reality Labs division has reported significant financial losses, totaling nearly $70 billion since late 2020. Despite these challenges, Meta remains optimistic about the potential of smart glasses and virtual reality headsets, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg predicting that smart glasses will become the primary way people interact with AI.

The smart glasses market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies like Apple, Snap, and Google developing their own devices. Meta's strategy with Ray-Ban and Oakley aims to leverage style and everyday utility to stay ahead of the competition, betting that a combination of fashion and advanced technology will drive consumer adoption.

The introduction of smart glasses with integrated displays and AI capabilities raises several social and societal considerations:

• Privacy Concerns: The ability to discreetly record audio and video may lead to concerns about consent and surveillance. The visibility of recording indicators and the potential for misuse are critical issues that need to be addressed.

• Digital Interaction: As smart glasses become more prevalent, they may change the way individuals interact with digital content, potentially reducing reliance on smartphones and altering social behaviors.

• Accessibility and Inclusivity: While these devices offer innovative features, their high price points may limit accessibility for a broader audience, potentially exacerbating digital divides.

Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook, is a leading technology company specializing in social media services and products. The company has been investing heavily in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies through its Reality Labs division.

The Ray-Ban Display smart glasses are developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, a multinational corporation known for its eyewear brands, including Ray-Ban. This collaboration combines Meta's technological expertise with EssilorLuxottica's experience in eyewear design and manufacturing.