Meta has introduced a new line of smart glasses priced at $299, slightly lower than its Ray-Ban-branded glasses, as competition in the AI-powered wearable tech space intensifies. The glasses, made in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, do not carry the Ray-Ban or Oakley branding. They offer features such as photo and video capture, music playback, phone calls, and interaction with an integrated AI assistant, including live translation in 14 new languages.
Features and Pricing
The new smart glasses start at $299, compared to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which start at $379. Meta also offers two Oakley-branded pairs starting at $399, and its top-of-the-line Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are priced at around $800. The lower-priced glasses aim to make AI-powered wearables more accessible to a broader audience.
Market Competition
While Meta currently leads the smart glasses market, other companies are entering the space. Snap recently announced its new generation of smart glasses, called Specs, which offer an augmented reality experience and will launch later this year for $2,195. Apple is also reportedly preparing to launch its own smart glasses in 2027, following the mixed success of its Vision Pro headset.
Meta's Strategy
Meta's vice president of wearables, Alex Himel, explained the decision to offer a lower-priced option: 'We just feel like we need to have a pair of glasses at a lower price point, and we were trying to figure out what could work there.' The new glasses will support a range of AI features powered by Meta's own AI models, enhancing their functionality and appeal.
