For the past three years, the names Meta and Ray-Ban have been intertwined in the smart glasses market. That changes now. Meta has introduced a new line of smart glasses that shed the iconic Ray-Ban label, launching at a price of $299 — roughly $80 cheaper than the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 models. The move aims to attract a broader audience by lowering the entry cost, while still relying on EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, for manufacturing and design expertise.

Three Styles, Seven Colors

The new Meta Glasses come in three distinct frame styles: the Meta Fury, Meta Adventurer, and Meta Glasses by Kylie. The Fury features a thicker, more square frame reminiscent of the earlier Meta Ray-Ban Display. The Adventurer is slightly slimmer and available in standard and large sizes. The Kylie Jenner collaboration offers a distinctly Y2K aesthetic, with a unique case that includes a mirror and a small gem embedded in the upper left lens for a touch of personality. All three styles are offered in seven color options.

Internally, the glasses share the same specs as the recently released Ray-Ban Meta Optics Styles, which prioritized prescription optimization. Battery life has been slightly improved, and the camera module is more discreet than in earlier Ray-Ban models — a change that was actually introduced in March but is now standard across the lineup.

Improved Fit and Prescription Support

For those who wear glasses daily, the new Meta Glasses offer significant ergonomic upgrades. The nose pads can be clicked into three separate positions, and the temple tips have a bendable wire to adjust the fit. Overextension hinges help accommodate wider faces. Prescription support ranges from -12 to +2.25, with stronger prescriptions requiring a visit to an optician. This marks a notable step toward making smart glasses more comfortable and accessible to a wider demographic.

Why Drop the Ray-Ban Brand?

According to Alex Himel, Meta’s vice president of wearables, the decision to remove Ray-Ban branding was driven primarily by cost. "We just feel like we need to have a pair of glasses at a lower price point," Himel explained. EssilorLuxottica does own other brands at lower price points, but none with the global recognition of Ray-Ban. By creating a direct-to-Meta brand, the company can reduce licensing costs and pass the savings to consumers. Still, EssilorLuxottica remains deeply involved — its name is stamped discreetly inside the temple of each frame.

Some observers speculated the branding change might be an attempt by EssilorLuxottica to distance itself from Meta’s privacy scandals, particularly recent reports about a facial recognition feature in development. However, the partnership remains strong, and both companies continue to collaborate on design and manufacturing.

Privacy Concerns Loom

Privacy remains the elephant in the room for Meta’s smart glasses. Reports from major news outlets have highlighted concerns about the company building facial recognition capabilities, while instances of "glassholes" using the glasses to harass women have reignited public skepticism. During a hands-on event, Himel acknowledged the issue: "We know that there’s tampering today, and there are a handful of ways that people are doing it." He promised upcoming updates to address privacy directly, though he declined to provide specifics.

Himel also emphasized the need for consistent policies across states and countries, noting that a fragmented regulatory environment makes it difficult to build a single product. He drew parallels to the early days of smartphones, which also faced societal pushback before finding their place. However, smart glasses still lack a definitive "killer app" that would make privacy tradeoffs feel worthwhile for the average consumer.

AI Gets an Upgrade with Muse Spark

On the software side, Meta is doubling down on artificial intelligence. The new glasses will launch with Muse Spark, the first model from Meta’s Superintelligence Labs. This AI upgrade promises more natural conversations, smarter recommendations, and support for 14 additional languages, including Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Korean. The AI can now handle live translations, estimate calorie counts, and even suggest shopping ideas.

During a live demo, the AI — voiced by Kylie Jenner — responded to prompts with improved contextual awareness. For example, when asked for recommendations on a keychain charm, it suggested specific shapes and colors and directed the user to Etsy or Instagram. While still occasionally verbose, the AI felt less stiff than earlier versions.

Other new features include pedestrian turn-by-turn navigation for displayless glasses and a dynamic photo mode that automatically captures multiple frames and selects the best one. These updates will also roll out to older Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses via a software update in the US and Canada.

Hardware Remains Strong, but Trust is the Hurdle

From a hardware perspective, Meta’s new glasses are well-made, affordable, and available in the widest array of colors, styles, and prescription options to date. The adjustable nose pads and temple tips are a welcome addition for those with low nose bridges or wider faces. Yet, as many reviewers have noted for years, hardware has never been Meta’s problem. The real challenge lies in overcoming public distrust built up over years of privacy missteps and the lingering uncertainty about how these devices will be used in everyday life.

The company’s success will depend on whether it can deliver meaningful privacy improvements quickly and transparently — and whether consumers will be willing to give them a chance despite the baggage of the Meta brand.

Source: The Verge News