Menlo Park, CA — Meta Platforms has officially entered the next phase of wearable technology, unveiling its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display at the company’s annual Connect conference held Wednesday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display, alongside a new wristband controller, as part of Meta’s vision to make smart glasses a key access point to personal AI and future computing.
Meta Doubles Down on AI-Driven Wearables
Zuckerberg emphasized the potential of smart glasses in the AI era, calling them the most natural way to stay connected without being distracted. “Glasses are the ideal form factor for personal superintelligence,” he said. “They help you stay present while tapping into tools that enhance memory, communication, and perception.”
The Meta Ray-Ban Display features a small screen embedded in the right lens for displaying notifications and performing basic tasks. Priced at $799, the glasses come with a gesture-detecting wristband that lets users answer calls and respond to texts with hand movements. They will be available in stores starting September 30.
Despite a few hiccups during the live demo—one involving a failed call—Zuckerberg received supportive applause from the developer-packed audience. “I don’t know what to tell you guys. I keep on messing this up,” he said, laughing off the glitch.
The new smart glasses also include Meta’s AI assistant, cameras, hands-free control, and livestreaming capabilities to Facebook and Instagram. While adoption may be slow at first, analysts say this launch could pave the way for Meta’s highly anticipated “Orion” glasses, slated for 2027.
Expanded Product Line: Oakley for Athletes, Ray-Ban Upgrades
In addition to the flagship Display glasses, Meta launched a new Oakley-branded model called Vanguard, tailored for sports and fitness enthusiasts. Priced at $499, the Vanguard offers real-time integration with platforms like Garmin and Strava, nine hours of battery life, and detailed post-workout summaries. It will hit stores on October 21.
Meta also refreshed its popular Ray-Ban smart glasses line, now boasting improved battery life and upgraded camera quality, though they still lack a built-in display. The new models start at $379, up from $299 in the previous generation.
Analysts like Forrester’s Mike Proulx compared the debut of Display glasses to the early days of the Apple Watch—promising but requiring a clearer consumer use case. “There’s a lot of runway to earn market share,” Proulx said, citing the glasses’ comfortable, non-intrusive form factor.
IDC research manager Jitesh Ubrani added that while the Display glasses offer strong value for the technology, the software ecosystem will need to evolve to appeal to mainstream users. “Until we get there, it’s not really a device the average consumer might know about or care to purchase,” he said.
Still, optimism remains high. IDC forecasts that global shipments of AR/VR headsets and smart glasses will rise 39.2% in 2025, reaching 14.3 million units, with Meta driving a significant portion of that growth through partnerships like its ongoing collaboration with Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica.
Amid Innovation, Meta Faces Scrutiny
While Meta pushes forward in the AI and wearables race, it continues to face backlash over child safety concerns on its social platforms. Reports have emerged of chatbots engaging minors in inappropriate conversations, and whistleblowers allege internal resistance to studying the harmful effects of virtual reality on children.
Nevertheless, Meta’s latest smart glasses push is a bold bet on a future where AI and augmented reality converge into everyday wearables—and one that could define the company’s next chapter beyond social media.
