Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg used the company’s annual Connect event to showcase its most ambitious wearable yet, the Ray-Ban Display glasses. Unlike earlier models, these glasses feature a small screen inside the lens, letting users check messages, view maps, or even take calls without reaching for their phone.
Why Glasses, Not Phones
Zuckerberg argued that glasses are the best way to bring AI into everyday life. “They let you stay present while still getting access to powerful tools,” he said. Users can see captions during conversations, get real-time translations, and even save transcripts inside the Meta AI app.
Features and Design
The display appears in the upper corner of the right lens, visible only to the wearer. Navigation comes through a new neural wristband, which responds to subtle hand gestures. Battery life is six hours per charge, with the case providing 30 more. Meta says privacy is built in — only the wearer can see the screen.
Other Wearables Announced
Alongside the flagship Ray-Ban Display ($799), Meta revealed updated Ray-Ban Gen 2 glasses ($379) with better cameras, longer battery life, and slow-motion video capture. A third model, the Oakley Vanguard ($499), is built for sports, offering workout tracking through Strava and Garmin, dust and water resistance, and stronger speakers for outdoor use.
Market Push and Competition
Smart glasses are still a niche market, but demand is rising fast. Partner company EssilorLuxottica said sales have already tripled year-over-year and aims to produce 10 million units annually by 2026. Meta is positioning itself ahead of rivals like Google, Snap, and Samsung, though early demos at Connect showed the technology still has kinks to work out.
Availability
The Ray-Ban Display glasses launch September 30 in select U.S. stores including Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban outlets, and Verizon.
