At the Meta Connect 2025 event, Meta revealed its most advanced smart glasses yet — the Meta Ray-Ban Display — priced at US$799, integrating a built-in display in the right lens and a gesture control wristband.
Here are its main features:
- Built-in Micro-Display: A display embedded in the right lens that can show texts, video calls, turn-by-turn navigation, AI query responses and more. It also doubles as a viewfinder for the camera.
- Neural Band (EMG Wristband): Controls via hand gestures — pinches, swipes, rotations, etc. This wristband is included.
- Apps & Connectivity: Supports apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, music control, Instagram DMs now, with plans for more app functionality later.
- Live Captions & Translation: The glasses can show live captions of speech and provide translations in real-time.
Specs, Battery & Design
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Display resolution | 600 × 600 pixels |
| Field of View | About 20 degrees |
| Brightness | 30 to 5,000 nits |
| Camera | 12 MP, records 1080p video; external case adds extra battery life |
| Battery Life | ~6 hours of mixed usage for the glasses; charging case adds up to ~30 extra hours |
| Neural Band Battery | ~18 hours per charge; water/splash resistant in many reports |
Design-wise, the Ray-Ban Display comes in two colours (“Black” and “Sand”), with two sizes, and will be sold via Ray-Ban stores, Best Buy, LensCrafters etc.
Availability & Pricing
- Launch Date: September 30, 2025 in the U.S.
- Countries & Rollout: After U.S., planned expansion to Canada, France, Italy, UK in early 2026.
- Price: US$799 including the Neural Band. In India equivalent ~₹70,000+ but no confirmed Indian launch date for this model yet.
Significance: What This Means for Smart Glasses & AR
- This is Meta’s first Ray-Ban model with an in-lens display, marking a shift from simply sensor-enabled audio/video smart glasses to more immersive augmented-reality-lite experience.
- The Neural Band’s gesture control suggests a future where wearables interact more naturally, not just via touch or voice. Business Standard
- Battery life and usability remain critical — six hours is decent but not full-day. The case helps, but form factor, comfort, and public acceptance will determine real adoption.
- The pricing at US$799 places the product in premium segment; consumers will judge whether features justify the cost compared to phones or other wearables.
What to Watch
- How well the display performs in bright outdoor conditions. It has high brightness specs but real-world performance will matter.
- Notification handling, privacy (camera & microphone), safety (distraction concerns), and how discreet the display is in public use.
- App ecosystem expansion — how many apps/events support direct interactions.
- Indian launch: price, availability, warranty etc. as Meta often brings later to markets like India.
This release is a strong signal that Meta is pushing hard into AR + AI wearables, and trying to shift more functionality from phones into glass-worn devices. Whether it becomes mainstream depends on polishing the user experience, managing price, battery, and building trust.
