After wearing the $800 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses daily for ten days, I find myself in a state of conflict. On one hand, these glasses have drastically altered how I interact with my phone, reducing my screen time significantly. On the other hand, I still feel somewhat uncomfortable with their appearance. I've worn them on public transportation, at the office, during neighborhood walks, and while hanging out with friends, and I can't shake the feeling that I might look a bit odd. However, the technological advancements they offer are impressive and worth discussing.
To put it plainly, the frames of these glasses are extremely chunky and feel too wide for my face. The dark black frames I tested during this review highlight their bulkiness, making me self-conscious about my appearance in public. Meta does offer a light brown sand color that I tried at the Connect event, which I found to be more flattering, despite the oversized frames. It’s essential to note that everyone has different face shapes and skin tones; what may seem unflattering on me could look good on someone else. I genuinely wish Meta had managed to create a more compact design, but I did start to adapt to the look the more I wore them.
The robust design is a reasonable trade-off for a first-generation product aimed at early adopters. The added thickness is due to numerous components, including a mini projector and waveguide, which contribute to the glasses' impressive functionality. Weighing in at 69 grams, they feel noticeably heavier than typical glasses. Initially, I found them comfortable, but after six or seven hours of wear, the pressure became noticeable, and they tended to slide down my nose. I would hesitate to wear them while biking or jogging, fearing they might fall off.
While testing the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, I was curious about the reactions I would get from friends and family. Unfortunately, I didn't receive many compliments regarding their appearance, although some kind friends assured me I was "pulling them off." However, the reactions to the display activating were overwhelmingly positive. Most people responded with an impressed "whoa!" when they saw the technology in action.
The glasses feature a monocular display on the right side, which doesn't provide the immersive augmented reality experience I encountered with the Orion prototype last year. You need to look slightly up and to the right to focus on the full-color display, which is both bright and clear without overtaking your vision. Although the 20-degree field of view is small, it never felt limiting, as the content displayed is not meant to be engrossive.
The display includes three main menus: an app launcher, a home screen that connects you to Meta AI and notifications, and a settings page for managing brightness and volume. Currently, it supports a limited number of Meta-created apps, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The ability to check Instagram DMs and watch Reels from friends adds a unique touch, despite the video quality being lower than what you'd find on your phone. The prospect of a standalone Reels experience is something I eagerly anticipate.
One aspect I appreciated was the camera functionality. Opening the camera app allows you to preview your shot, making it easier to frame photos, which has been a challenge with previous Meta smart glasses. Video calls also benefit from this feature, though the small display can feel cramped, and some users reported quality issues during calls.
The live captioning and translation capabilities of the glasses are standout features, showcasing how Meta has integrated its AI technology effectively. During my tests with my husband, a native Spanish speaker, the real-time translation proved to be more natural than before, though it wasn't flawless. Similarly, the live captioning feature transcribes conversations in real-time, making it a valuable tool for accessibility.
Walking navigation is another useful feature. By dictating a location, the glasses guide you on your route. However, I encountered some inaccuracies, such as being led to an alley behind my office building instead of the entrance. These hiccups serve as a reminder that this product is still in its early stages.
The glasses utilize Meta's Neural Band for control, translating subtle gestures into actions on the display. The band works surprisingly well, with accurate gesture recognition and intuitive navigation. However, you need to charge it daily if you wear the glasses for extended periods. The battery life can last about six hours on a single charge, depending on usage, but intensive tasks will drain it much faster. A charging case is included for extra power on-the-go, but I was surprised by how often I needed to recharge it.
Concerns regarding the privacy implications of the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are common. While Meta has made efforts to improve its privacy policies, the glasses still have similar policies to their predecessors. The addition of a wrist-based controller makes taking photos less obvious, but there is still an LED indicator that lights up when the camera is in use. Despite public worries about facial recognition capabilities, I can confirm these glasses do not feature such technology.
In conclusion, I would recommend caution when considering the purchase of the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. Priced at $800, they are more than twice the cost of Meta's well-received second-generation Ray-Ban glasses. While there are compelling features within the display, the functionality remains limited, and the bulky design may not suit everyone's taste.
Moreover, availability is an issue. The glasses are only sold at select retailers, and potential buyers must schedule demo appointments to purchase them, although some stores may not enforce this rule. While there are exciting features on the horizon, such as a standalone Reels app and gesture-based message replies, these glasses still feel like a first-generation product.
If you are an early adopter or someone eagerly awaiting a high-quality display in smart glasses, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses may be worth the investment—but only if you can embrace their thick frames.
