During the hour-long Meta Connect live stream earlier today, Meta announced several new smart glasses, including its first augmented reality glasses with a built-in display. Revealed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta Ray-Ban Display combines microphones, speakers, cameras, and a micro-display in a lightweight 69g frame modelled after Ray-Ban’s classic Wayfarer design.
The tiny colour display, projected onto the inside of the right lens, can show text, images, captions, navigation prompts, and even live video calls. The screen offers up to a 90Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 600 x 600 pixels, with a peak brightness of 5,000 nits to ensure visibility even under harsh sunlight.
The display should be plenty bright, even when using it in broad daylight.
Interestingly, interaction comes via touch controls, voice commands, or through Meta’s new EMG Neural Band. Weighing at 42g, the Neural band is a water-resistant wristband that utilises Electromyography (EMG) sensors to detect the signals created by your muscles and translate them into pinches, swipes, and even handwriting gestures into commands. During the event, Meta emphasised that all EMG data is processed on-device, with only commands transmitted to the glasses.
The glasses connect via Bluetooth 5.3 to iOS or Android devices and support messaging, video calls, and media controls across Meta apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. They also integrate Meta’s AI Assistant, which can deliver on-screen answers, translations, recipes, or context about landmarks identified through the camera.
Other hardware features of the Ray-Ban Display include:
- 12MP ultra-wide camera with 3x digital zoom, capable of capturing images and videos at up to 1440 x 1920 pixels at 30fps.
- Two open-ear speakers paired with a six-microphone array
- 32GB of internal storage and 2GB LPDDR4x memory
- IPx4 water resistance for the frame
Finally, the glasses are available in two frame sizes,144mm standard and 150mm large, with a weight of 69g and 70g, respectively. Battery life is rated at up to 6 hours of “mixed-use” per charge.
The Oakley Vanguard Glasses
The Oakley Meta Vanguard with swappable lenses.
Alongside the Ray-Ban Display, Meta also introduced the Oakley Meta Vanguard, designed for athletes and outdoor adventurers.
Compared to the Oakley HSTN released earlier this year, the Vanguard’s wraparound visor design stands out immediately. It uses Oakley’s “PRIZM lens technology”, carries an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating, and supports swappable lenses, including low-light PRIZMs for darker conditions.
There is also a customisable action button.
Hardware includes a centre-mounted 12MP wide-angle camera capable of recording 3K video with Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, and stabilisation modes. The open-ear speakers have been boosted by 6dB compared to the Oakley Meta HSTN that was announced earlier year. It also has a five-microphone array that helps reduce wind noise during recording.
The Vanguard also integrates with Garmin and Strava, letting users request real-time performance stats, milestones, or auto-captured workout highlights through Meta’s AI assistant. Post-training summaries sync with Garmin Connect, Apple Health, or Android Health Connect.
Battery life is rated at 9 hours of “mixed-use”, or 6 hours for continuous music playback, with a charging case included.
Pricing and Availability
Unfortunately, neither glass will be available in Singapore at launch. The Meta Ray-Ban Display will be available in the US from 30 September for US$799 (S$~1021) and will be made available in the UK, France, Italy, and Canada in early 2026.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard will set buyers back US$499 (~S$638), and will be available in more countries, such as the US, Australia, France, Finland, Denmark, and more, with plans to launch the glasses in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later this year.