The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses have emerged as one of the standout gadgets in recent years, successfully penetrating a highly competitive wearable technology market. Their popularity indicates a growing trend toward users integrating smart glasses into their everyday lives. Following the recent CES 2025 event in January, it's evident that we can expect to see more individuals utilizing smart glasses while walking, working, and relaxing throughout the year.
Meta is not merely content with offering branded glasses that can answer queries and capture photos; they have set their sights on a more ambitious goal. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Meta is developing a new pair of smart eyewear codenamed Hypernova. This innovative product is expected to be priced between $1,000 and $1,400, which is significantly higher—almost four times the price—than the current Ray-Ban smart glasses.
The anticipated increase in cost is attributed to the inclusion of a built-in screen situated in the lower-right quadrant of the right lens. However, unlike existing augmented reality (AR) glasses such as the Even Realities G1, users will need to look downward to view the digital overlays instead of upward. Notably, this design is only for the first version of Hypernova, as a successor featuring a binocular display system—incorporating screens on both sides—is already in development. This next iteration will be designed in collaboration with Oakley and aimed specifically at athletic applications.
According to Bloomberg, the upcoming smart glasses will feature a boot screen showcasing Meta and its various partners, including Google/Android and chipmaker Qualcomm. This collaboration follows their successful work on Meta's recent Quest headsets and wearables. Upon booting up, users will encounter a horizontal stack of icons, reminiscent of the app dock found on iPhones and MacBooks. The glasses are expected to come preloaded with essential applications such as a camera, gallery, and maps, and they will likely synchronize with smartphones to project notifications from various messaging services.
Users will have the ability to navigate these applications using capacitive touch controls located on the side of the glasses or through finger gestures facilitated by Meta's neural wristband. While the current Ray-Ban smart glasses offer acceptable camera quality—comparable to the iPhone 11—the Hypernova is rumored to include an upgraded sensor that could rival the capabilities of the iPhone 13. Anticipated improvements may include enhanced image stabilization and potentially better low-light performance, though exact details remain speculative.
Although Bloomberg suggests that the Hypernova smart glasses are still several months away from their official introduction, Meta's release plans could evolve. If everything proceeds as expected, the next-generation smart glasses may debut during Meta's Connect event in the fall. This event has historically been the platform where Meta unveiled significant products, including the Orion prototype glasses last year and the Ray-Ban smart glasses the year before.
As the market for smart glasses continues to grow, Meta's Hypernova could potentially redefine user expectations and experiences in the wearable tech landscape. Keep an eye on developments in this exciting space as we approach the anticipated launch.
