At the recent Meta Connect 2025 event, I had the opportunity to try the innovative Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. While these smart glasses are not yet ready to completely replace your smartphone, they significantly enhance the user experience by incorporating a heads-up display. Based on my experience, it’s clear that we are moving toward a future where our reliance on smartphones may lessen, thanks to advancements in smart glasses technology.
During the keynote presentation at Meta Connect 2025, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg articulated a concern about society's relationship with smartphones. He expressed hope that smart glasses could help people become more present in their daily lives. The new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are designed to facilitate this shift, featuring a bright, full-color display and a smart wristband that detects subtle gestures, enabling functionalities previously unattainable in smart glasses.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are priced at $799, which includes the glasses and the accompanying wristband. They are available in two stylish colors: shiny black and transparent light brown, with both options featuring transition lenses. These glasses also support prescription lenses ranging from +4.00 to -4.00, though additional costs for prescription lenses remain unclear. To purchase, users must visit a store for wristband fitting.
With a battery life of 6 hours for the glasses and 18 hours for the wristband, these devices are designed for extended use. Furthermore, the glasses boast a water-resistant design, while the wristband has an IPX7 rating, making them suitable for temporary immersion in water. Starting September 30, you will be able to experience a demo of the glasses at various retail locations including Best Buy, Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Ray-Ban Stores, with availability expected at select Verizon stores later on.
Weighing in at just 69 grams, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are slightly heavier than their audio-only predecessors, which weigh 49 grams. However, I found them comfortable, and the difference in weight was barely noticeable. The glasses feature a full-color display positioned discreetly in the right lens, providing up to 5,000 nits of brightness—brighter than most smartphones and even the Apple Watch Ultra. This ensures clear visibility indoors and outdoors, and remarkably, the display remains invisible to those you are facing.
The glasses are equipped with a full operating system that allows users to capture photos and videos, listen to music, access live captions during conversations, and interact with AI for note-taking and messaging via WhatsApp. Interaction with the glasses is primarily achieved through the neural wristband, which enables users to perform various gestures, such as pinching and swiping, to navigate the interface.
The wristband is designed with comfort in mind, featuring a sturdy cloth material and a secure fit using a metal cinch and magnets. I quickly adapted to using the wristband for controls, making it intuitive to zoom in during photography or adjust settings like volume. The clarity of the display allowed me to frame shots effectively, enhancing the overall user experience.
One standout feature I tested was the live captioning capability, which allowed the glasses to focus on and transcribe the words of a specific person in a crowded environment. This "Conversation Focus" feature amplifies audio and improves the device's ability to recognize voice commands amidst background noise. Moreover, when I prompted the AI for a banana bread recipe, it effortlessly retrieved and organized the information into swipeable cards, showcasing the practical utility of these glasses in daily tasks.
Other exciting features include the ability to send messages by writing letters in the air with the wristband, video calling, and turn-by-turn walking directions, with initial mapping support in 28 cities. Additionally, during a Live AI session, the glasses can take notes and summarize information, ensuring you capture every detail during important conversations.
As an early adopter product, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses represent a glimpse into the future of smart technology. While the price tag of $800 may seem steep, these glasses offer a unique experience that could redefine daily interactions. However, potential buyers should keep in mind that advancements in technology mean these glasses might soon be surpassed by newer models from Meta, Google, and other competitors.
In conclusion, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are not just a fashion statement, but a pioneering step into a future where technology seamlessly integrates with everyday life. Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and updates on this exciting product as I continue to explore its features in the coming weeks.
