Meta unveiled glasses that change the pace of its wearable strategy: the Ray-Ban Meta Display with a screen integrated into the right lens. Announced at Meta Connect, they arrive as the brand's first model designed to view information at a glance without taking out your phone, and with AI as a constant companion.
The company places these glasses in its vision of “personal superintelligence”, a format that seeks to bring AI tools closer to everyday life without isolating the user. There was some live demo It wasn't perfect, but the approach is clear: to transfer the usual functions of the phone to a more discreet device, with a screen that only the wearer sees.
Ray-Ban Meta Display: What They Can Do
The screen projected on the right lens shows Messages, calls, step-by-step directions on maps, visual results of queries to Meta AI, notifications and contextual responses. It also allows you to see subtitles in real time, including translations on the fly, and can act as a remote viewfinder for your phone's camera.
The glasses are integrated with WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram. At launch, Instagram direct messages are the priority, and viewing Reels will be added later. For those concerned about privacy, WhatsApp maintains the end-to-end encryption when used from the device.
In addition to displaying information, the screen is used to manage first-person video calls and respond to messages by dictating or sending audio notes. The goal is to complete short tasks requiring mobile use in seconds right before your eyes.
Gesture controls and the Neural Band bracelet
The handling combines a touchpad on the temples, voice commands and a key accessory: the Meta Neural Band, an sEMG bracelet that interprets electrical impulses from the forearm to perform subtle gestures.
Supported actions include pinching with thumb and index finger to select, Double tap to summon the assistant, swipe your hand to navigate through items, and flip it in the air to turn the volume up or down. By the end of the year, Meta will enable the option to “writing in the air” with one finger.
The bracelet comes included, is available in three sizes and offers up to 18 hours of autonomyAt launch, Meta recommends in-store fitting to ensure proper sizing and calibration before online sales.
Screen, camera and autonomy: specific data
The display unit offers 600 × 600 pixels with a field of view of 20 degrees. The brightness ranges from 30 to 5.000 nits, sufficient for outdoor use in most situations, although the most intense sun remains a challenge for any microdisplay.
In the capture section, the sensor 12 megapixels It records video at 1080p. This decision prioritizes the balance between quality, power consumption, and temperature in a lightweight frame format designed for continuous use.
The autonomy is around 6 hours of mixed use and the charging case adds about 30 more hours (approximately four full charges). Meta aims for a comfortable weight for everyday use; the design maintains the Ray-Ban aesthetic with slight adjustments to accommodate the electronics.
Price, launch and ecosystem
The Ray-Ban Meta Display will be available in two sizes and in colors black and sand. Its price in the United States is $799 and include the Neural Band bracelet. The sale starts on September 30 in the EssilorLuxottica network (Ray-Ban, LensCrafters), Best Buy and a limited number of stores Verizon.
Meta confirms initial compatibility with Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram and music services like Spotify. Features on the way include air writing and more viewing options on Instagram. The company plans to release them on Europe and Canada in 2026, with no price set yet; no release date for other regions.
At the strategic level, Meta insists that this format brings the AI to the user without relying so much on smartphones. Company executives have noted that the sales pace of their glasses is reminiscent of major consumer electronics hits, and their partner Essilor Luxottica talk about tripled income in the category and an ambitious goal: to manufacture 10 million pairs per year from 2026.
The competition does not stand still: Google, Samsung, Apple or Amazon They're also working on proposals that combine artificial intelligence and augmented reality. During the event, there were minor glitches in the demos, a common occurrence in advanced prototypes, but the roadmap aims to expand functionality and pave the way for more comprehensive AR headsets in the coming years.
With a recognizable design, a discrete display For quick queries and gesture control, integrating the Neural Band, the Ray-Ban Meta Display puts the focus on everyday tasks: messaging, navigation, translation, and calls. The technical package—600x600, 20° FOV, 5.000 nits maximum, 12 MP, and 6 hours of use—and its launch in the US at $799 mark the commercial launch of a category that Meta aims to make commonplace beyond the tech niche.
