Looking to pick up a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses this year? You might want to hold off on that decision, as Meta’s annual product conference will kick off on September 17, and we’re expecting the company to unveil new smart glasses.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses have been one of Meta’s most successful products to date, garnering tons of attention worldwide and selling millions of units. You may not be aware that these glasses are actually second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses, as the original Ray-Ban Stories weren’t nearly as popular.

Part of the success was greatly improved hardware between the first and second generation, while the other part has been the excitement of Meta AI being built into Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.

Since we’re anticipating Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 3) to be announced at Meta Connect 2025, my recommendation is to wait and see what Meta will unveil and how much better they might be over Ray-Ban’s current offerings. For now, let’s go over the potential differences based on what we know to help you make a decision now.

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Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 3) are expected to come in two main varieties: sunglasses and prescription glasses. The currently available Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are offered in three different traditional Ray-Ban styles, each with a selection of colors and lens types. However, Meta is unable to offer all types of prescriptions due to the frame styles.

Separating prescription and sunglasses styles would likely allow these prescription glasses users to utilize the new generation of smart glasses. If you’ve already taken a look at the available prescription options for Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses and can’t get what you need, you should definitely wait and see what’s available with the new rumored style options.

Folks who are looking to primarily take photos or videos with their smart glasses should also wait to see what upgrades Meta will deliver with the camera on Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 3). The recently released Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses offer a notable camera upgrade for folks recording active video. If you plan to take your smart glasses out for a run, hike, or even while playing sports, waiting for a potential camera upgrade is a good option.

That’s because the higher-resolution camera allows Meta to offer better image stabilization, keeping the video jitter-free and bump-free, almost no matter what you do. We don’t expect any other camera upgrades over what Meta just delivered with Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses, though, but Meta could always surprise us with AI super resolution or something.

Speaking of Meta AI, we’re expecting a big upgrade for Meta AI on all of the company’s upcoming smart glasses. That should include Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 3), as it’s likely the company will include a new chipset that’s able to do even more than the two-year-old chipset in the current Ray-Ban Meta product.

This upgraded Meta AI is said to be able to provide longer interaction sessions, including additional live AI time with recording storage. Meta AI will be able to pull up data from your personal recordings on request, helping you remember where you left your car keys, the coffee mug, or even someone’s name whom you previously addressed.

Google’s upcoming Android XR-powered smart glasses are also able to perform these functions, and we fully expect any competing Meta smart glasses to be able to do it, too.

What about the price?

Of course, any upgrade discussion isn’t complete without a price. While there are currently no rumors regarding the price of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 3), we don’t expect Meta to launch them at a wildly different price range than what’s currently available.

At the most, they’ll probably retail for $400-500, just like Oakley Meta HSTN. Meta Hypernova, the other, more advanced smart glasses that we expect to see unveiled at Meta Connect, are rumored to retail for $800, and there’s no expectation that Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 3) will cost anywhere near that price since they aren’t expected to feature any display technology like the Hypernova.

Still, there’s a high chance that they could be more expensive than the $250-300 price tag you would spend on the current Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, but we’ll have to wait and see. At the least, if Meta does release its new smart glasses before the end of the year, you could always pick up a discounted pair of Gen 2s during this year’s Black Friday sales in November.

What you need to know

• Meta is experimenting with a wristband that reads your muscle signals, so you can type or control stuff just by thinking about moving your fingers.
• The tech pairs with Meta’s Orion AR glasses, which look like regular specs but overlay digital stuff in your real-world view.
• It’s still a prototype (and pricey), but Meta says a more practical version is in the works.

Imagine scrolling through your social media feed, sending a message, or skipping a song without tapping a button or resorting to voice commands, just a subtle twitch of your hand. That’s the wild promise of Meta’s latest research, and it’s not some distant sci-fi dream.

Thanks to a new study published in Nature, we’re getting a sneak peek at how augmented reality (AR) glasses could soon read your intentions before you even fully act on them.

Meta’s Reality Labs has been quietly working on a tech called surface electromyography (sEMG), which sounds complicated but boils down to one simple idea: detecting the tiny electrical signals your muscles send when you even think about moving.

How it works: wristwear that reads intention

Instead of waving your arms around or using a bulky controller, you slip on a lightweight armband. Trained on data from thousands of people, the system deciphers minute electrical patterns that the brain sends to your fingers.

One test user typed at over 20 words per minute just thinking the stroke motions. The team smashed the key hurdles: generalization across users (so it doesn’t need per‑person calibration), consistent gesture recognition, and handwriting decoding, all embedded in a wristband-style interface.

The big deal here is speed and subtlety. Current AR controls rely on voice, hand tracking (needs big gestures), or clunky remotes. In its Nature paper, Meta showed off Orion, a prototype wristband that predicted gestures with scary accuracy, even when people barely moved. It worked while typing on a keyboard or holding a coffee without needing to pause your life to interact with tech.

Meta sees this fusion of AI, sEMG wristband, and AR glasses as the natural next step beyond smartphones.

Why this matters

The tech is a big step forward for interacting with devices, especially for people with limited mobility since it doesn’t require any physical movement to trigger input. It also makes using tech feel more natural and less effortful.

That said, it’s still early days. Orion glasses reportedly cost around $10,000 per unit and aren’t available to the public yet. The wristband, while extremely promising, is still in prototype phase with no clear timeline for a commercial launch.

But Meta says it’s working toward more affordable, consumer-ready versions of both, and the progress so far suggests it’s serious.

What you need to know

• Leaked renders show off two fresh Ray-Ban Meta styles—’Aperol’ (sunglasses) and ‘Bellini’ (optical)—hinting at a shift from the one-style-fits-all approach.
• Both models are expected to have much better battery life and next-level AI with object detection, scene recognition, and maybe even facial ID.
• A rumored always-on mode could keep cameras and sensors running nonstop, letting the AI give live reminders.

It looks like Meta and Ray-Ban are gearing up to introduce new smart glasses sooner than anticipated, and we’ve got a sneak peek thanks to some recently leaked renders.

A group calling itself XR Research Institute (via UploadVR) has shared two images that appear to showcase two fresh Ray-Ban Meta models: a sunglasses variant labeled “Aperol” and a prescription-lens style named “Bellini.”

This could be a refreshing break from the usual one-style-fits-all approach, giving users more personalized choices. Bellini does echo the current Headliner look, but it’ll be worth watching if these distinct designs actually make it to shelves.

These code names aren’t new, as they were also mentioned in a May report by The Information, linking them to future Meta eyewear releases.

Smarter + longer lasting

According to XR Research Institute, both models boast significantly longer battery life compared to the current Ray‑Ban Meta glasses. And they could pack smarter AI too, with features like real-time object detection and scene recognition.

These rumored features line up with what The Information reported earlier—a “super sensing” mode that could keep Meta AI running for hours, a big leap from the current 30-minute limit.

Potential new tricks include reminders for forgotten items and facial recognition: imagine being told someone’s name as soon as they walk into view.

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Beyond facial recognition, Meta’s AI might soon get even smarter. Picture it reminding you to grab your keys if you forgot, or nudging you about groceries as you head home. The super-sensing mode keeps the cameras and sensors running nonstop so the AI can stay locked in on your day-to-day activities.

Here’s where timing gets interesting. XR Research Institute thinks these models might arrive before the year’s end. But The Information puts Aperol and Bellini off until 2026.

Currently, Ray‑Ban Meta glasses come in various frame styles (Wayfarer, Headliner, Skyler), all compatible with clear, sun, polarized, and Transitions lenses. But this rumored pivot to separate optical and sunglass models could signal a bold new direction for the lineup.

The global AR and VR headset market grew 18.1% year-over-year last quarter, according to a June 18 report from IDC, with Meta holding a dominant 50.8% share. But the real momentum came from rising players like XREAL and Viture—part of a growing shift toward lightweight, optical-see-through, or OST, smart glasses.

The market is definitely shifting toward more immersive experiences, said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, in the IDC report.

”The next wave of growth will be driven by mixed and extended reality, especially as AI and Android XR platforms mature,” Ubrani said.

Among the top five vendors, Viture saw explosive 268% growth, while XREAL took second place overall. Three OST-focused vendors—XREAL, Viture, and TCL—now hold a combined 22.5% share, marking a notable shift away from traditional VR.

Sony and Apple—usually strong players in the AR and VR space—were absent from the top rankings this quarter.

Looking forward, IDC predicts a sharp decline in pure VR, with mixed reality and extended reality expected to lead future growth. MR shipments are projected to grow from 3.3 million in 2025 to over 15 million by 2029. ER devices, including smart glasses, will see strong adoption in both consumer and enterprise markets.

While shipments are expected to dip 12% in 2025 due to delays and tariffs, IDC predicts a strong rebound in 2026—eventually surpassing pre-pandemic peaks. From 2025 to 2029, the AR/VR market is expected to grow at a 38.6% CAGR.

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Something to look forward to: Weeks after updating its Ray-Ban smart glasses with real-time translation and other AI-powered features, Meta has unveiled a new pair in collaboration with Oakley, offering enhanced camera functionality and additional upgrades. Pre-orders begin on July 11, with the standard model starting at $399 and the limited-edition version available for $499.

The new Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn) smart glasses combine Meta’s AI and smart glass technology with Oakley’s HSTN-style frames. Compared to Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories model, the HSTN glasses support video recording at 3K resolution, offer up to eight hours of battery life, and introduce IPX4 water resistance.

Oakley claims the glasses can last up to eight hours with typical use, and up to 19 hours on standby. The included charging case provides up to 48 hours of battery life and can recharge the glasses to 50% capacity in just 20 minutes.

However, Meta and Oakley primarily advertise the HSTN glasses by showcasing features it shares with the $299 Ray-Ban model. These include a 12MP camera that captures photos and video with a button press, as well as built-in speakers for playing music from various streaming services.

The headline feature is Meta AI integration, which was introduced with the Ray-Ban glasses last month. Like those, the Oakley glasses support real-time translation, music playback controls, and an AI assistant equipped with visual processing capabilities.

Visual processing enables Meta AI to respond to natural language commands based on what users see. It’s designed for tasks such as translating signage or offering cooking advice. A recent clip from Oakley shows golfer J.R. Smith receiving instant wind speed and direction information from the digital assistant. Meta also announced support for sending text, audio, video, and photos to contacts via Instagram.

Real-time translation is currently available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Language packs can be downloaded to enable offline use.

Oakley will showcase the glasses at Fanatics Fest from June 20 to 22, UFC International Fight Week from June 25 to 27, and other sporting events later this year.

Availability is expected to begin later this summer in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The Meta HSTN glasses will also launch in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates in 2025.

Available styles will include:

• Warm Grey with PRIZM Ruby Lenses
• Black with PRIZM Polar Black Lenses
• Brown Smoke with PRIZM Polar Deep Water Lenses
• Black with Transitions Amethyst Lenses
• Clear with Transitions Grey Lenses
• Black with clear Lenses

Although they’re normally pretty expensive, you can occasionally find good deals on smart glasses if you know where to look. For instance, buyers can currently get 20% off the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta smart glasses, chopping about $60 off the normally $300 price tag. Ray-Ban’s smart glasses include a phone camera, access to voice assistants, and speakers offering impressive audio quality.

For those who want a hands-free tech tool, we consider these the best overall AI smart glasses out there, offering minor water resistance, tons of photo and video storage, and easy compatibility with other devices.

This discount is for the Wayfarer style of the smart glasses, which come in a shiny black finish and tinted green lenses.

Recommended if: you’re looking for the best overall AI-based smart glasses on today’s market; you need something that features cameras, easy voice calling, and voice assistants like Meta AI; you want a classic, stylish smart glasses option such as Ray-Ban’s Wayfarers.

Skip this deal if: you want smart glasses that feature an XR smart display; you need a pair of glasses offering a high-quality anti-reflective lens; you need smart glasses with over four hours of battery life.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are a super handy pair of glasses, featuring a charging case, mics and speakers for hands-free calling and media, and a solid camera for easy video and photo capture. The glasses also make it easy to access the Meta AI voice assistant, along with live English translation in Spanish, French, or Italian, real-time QR code scanning, and much more.

It is worth clarifying what you’re looking for in smart glasses, especially if you’re looking for a pair that features a smart XR display. These don’t include a smart display, and are primarily for use as a hands-free tool for pairing with your phone or quickly accessing photo and video capabilities, voice calls, and other things you would normally need to use your phone for.

Forward-looking: Apple’s M5 chip is expected to make its debut in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro later this year, but Apple is already deep into development on the M6 and M7 processors. Apple is advancing its custom silicon ambitions, with a sweeping roadmap that spans next-generation Macs, its first smart glasses, and a powerful new AI server chip. Sources familiar with the company’s plans told Bloomberg that Apple is building on its recent momentum in chip design, aiming to set new standards in performance and efficiency across its entire product lineup.

Apple will continue to invest heavily in custom silicon as it strives to lead not only in device performance but also in AI and wearable technology – two areas where it has attempted to make advances but has faced various challenges. The company is developing new chips to power everything from next-generation Macs to smart glasses and AI servers, aiming to maintain its tightly integrated hardware and software ecosystem.

The Apple M6 SoC, known internally as “Komodo,” is likely to arrive in 2026, followed by the M7, codenamed “Borneo,” in 2027, if Apple maintains its annual release cadence. These chips are rumored to represent a major leap in computing power, with configurations as high as 256 CPU cores and 640 GPU cores in future generations – an exponential increase compared to the current M3 Ultra, which tops out at 32 CPU and 80 GPU cores.

Alongside these chips, Apple is reportedly working on an advanced system-on-chip for Macs, codenamed “Sotra.” While details remain scarce, this chip could be destined for high-end desktop models, further diversifying Apple’s silicon offerings and targeting professional users who want top-tier performance.

In a parallel effort, Apple is preparing to enter the still nascent but competitive smart glasses market. The company’s first glasses, powered by a specialized chip called N401, are being designed to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Drawing on the energy-efficient architecture of the Apple Watch, the N401 chip is optimized for low power consumption and is engineered to control multiple cameras integrated into the glasses.

These non-augmented reality glasses will feature cameras, microphones, and on-board AI, enabling users to take photos, record video, translate languages, and receive contextual information about their surroundings.

Features under consideration include environmental scanning, object identification, and navigation assistance. The glasses’ processor is targeted for mass production in late 2026 or 2027, suggesting a product launch within the next 2 to 4 years.

Meanwhile, Apple’s ambitions for AI are expanding into the realm of large-scale infrastructure. In partnership with Broadcom, the company is developing its first AI server chip, codenamed “Baltra,” which is slated to enter mass production as early as 2026 or 2027.

This chip is being designed to handle Apple Intelligence requests in the cloud, replacing the current reliance on Mac-grade processors such as the M2 Ultra.

Apple is reportedly testing Baltra in configurations with 2, 4, 6, or even 8 times the CPU and GPU cores of the M3 Ultra, meaning the chip could boast up to 256 CPU cores and 640 GPU cores at its highest. Such a leap could position Apple as a major player in AI infrastructure, enabling faster and more efficient cloud-based intelligence for its devices.

These developments are part of a broader strategy within Apple’s hardware technology group, which is also working on chips for camera-equipped AirPods and Apple Watch models, with launches targeted around 2027.

The company’s silicon roadmap also includes upgrades to its in-house modem technology, with the C2 and C3 modems expected to improve wireless connectivity in future iPhones.

Masthead credit: Basic Apple Guy