Smart glasses have long promised a future of seamless, hands-free computing, but they’ve often stumbled on the one thing that matters most: looking like something you’d actually want to wear. Meta’s latest collaboration with Ray-Ban tackles this head-on, embedding impressive tech into an iconic design. The result is a device that feels less like a gadget and more like a natural extension of your senses.
The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses succeed first and foremost as a piece of fashion. Available in the timeless Wayfarer and newer Headliner styles, they look and feel almost identical to their non-smart counterparts. The arms are slightly thicker to house the battery, processors, and speakers, but the weight is balanced and the fit is comfortable for all-day wear. The integration is masterfully subtle; a tiny 12-megapixel camera lens sits on one corner and a discreet LED light on the other, which illuminates when recording to alert those around you. The included charging case is a stylish and necessary accessory, extending the glasses’ roughly four hours of mixed-use battery life with up to eight additional charges.
Functionally, the glasses are a significant leap forward. The new 12MP ultra-wide camera captures surprisingly crisp photos and 1080p video clips from a compelling first-person perspective. Content syncs wirelessly to the Meta View app on your phone, making it effortless to share your view of the world on social media. The ability to livestream directly to Instagram or Facebook is a killer feature for content creators, offering a dynamic, hands-free way to engage with an audience.
Audio performance is equally impressive. The open-ear speakers direct sound toward your ears with improved volume and bass response over the first generation. While they won’t replace dedicated earbuds for critical music listening—and they do leak some sound at max volume—they are perfect for podcasts, taking calls, and listening to music while remaining fully aware of your surroundings. The five-microphone array ensures your voice comes through clearly on calls and is exceptionally effective at picking up voice commands.
The true “smart” feature, however, is the integration of Meta AI. By saying “Hey Meta,” you can command the glasses to take a photo, start a video, or control music playback. More powerfully, you can tap into Meta’s AI to identify landmarks, translate text on a sign in real-time, or generate a witty caption for the photo you just took. While this AI functionality is still in beta and occasionally stumbles, it provides a fascinating glimpse into a future where information is accessible without ever reaching for your phone. It’s the element that elevates the glasses from a wearable camera to a true smart device.
Ultimately, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are a beautifully executed product for a specific audience. They are not a replacement for your phone or a full-fledged augmented reality device. Instead, they are the most stylish and functional way to capture and share life’s moments from your own perspective, with a powerful AI assistant waiting in the wings. For the style-conscious tech enthusiast or the social media creator, these glasses finally deliver on the promise of a wearable that is both smart and genuinely desirable.
Where to Buy:
Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses Quick Summary
Key Scores:
-
Value:
75% -
Design:
93% -
Performance:
85% -
Quality:
89% -
Popularity:
87%
Top Pros
- ✅ The iconic Ray-Ban design cleverly conceals the smart technology.
- ✅ The 12MP camera captures high-quality, first-person perspective content.
- ✅ Open-ear audio provides good sound while maintaining situational awareness.
- …
Key Cons
- ❌ Battery life is insufficient for a full day of heavy use.
- ❌ Audio can leak at higher volumes, disturbing those nearby.
- ❌ Meta AI features are promising but still in a beta phase.
