Meta’s Meta Ray-Ban Display: First-to-Market Smart Glasses Arrive September 30 for $799

In a significant development, Meta, the tech giant, has unveiled a new pair of Ray-Ban branded smart glasses with an integrated display for seamless access to applications, alerts, and navigation on the right lens. The innovation is controlled by a wristband that responds to subtle hand gestures, known as the Meta Neural Band.

During the company’s annual developer conference, Meta Connect 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this groundbreaking product, named Meta Ray-Ban Display, live on stage. Unlike previous projects such as Orion, Zuckerberg highlighted that this product will be commercially available within a few weeks, starting from September 30, with a price tag of $799.

This latest venture marks Meta’s endeavor to deliver consumer smart glasses capable of executing tasks typically performed on smartphones. For years, the company has relied on reaching users through competitors’ devices, predominantly those manufactured by Google and Apple. With Meta heavily investing in virtual reality headsets, AI-powered smart glasses appear to be a promising avenue for the company to engage with users on its own hardware.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display is designed to build upon the success of Meta’s initial Ray-Ban smart glasses, with millions of pairs sold in collaboration with eyewear partner EssilorLuxottica. Similar to its predecessor, the new model comes equipped with an onboard AI assistant, as well as cameras, speakers, and microphones. The glasses provide users with internet and social media app connectivity via cloud access.

Meta claims that the display offers users a multitude of possibilities with their smart glasses. Users can utilize Meta apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook, and also view directions and live translations on the smart glasses’ display.

The Neural Band accompanying the device bears a resemblance to a Fitbit, minus the screen, and allows users to navigate apps using small hand movements. During the presentation, Zuckerberg stated that the Meta Neural Band offers 18 hours of battery life and is water-resistant.

The device employs electromyography (EMG) to detect signals sent between your brain and hand during a gesture. Meta believes this interface could represent a new method for users to control their devices.

Earlier in the week, a video leak surfaced of Meta’s latest smart glasses. Previously, CNBC and Bloomberg had reported that the smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, would be presented at this year’s Connect conference.

It is worth noting that the Meta Ray-Ban Display pales in comparison to the Orion smart glasses showcased at Connect 2024. The former device featured augmented reality lenses and eye tracking, while the latter utilizes a simpler display. It may take several years before Meta releases Orion into the market.

Nonetheless, Meta is optimistic about winning the smart glasses race by being the first to bring a real product to market. However, it seems probable that Google and Apple will introduce their own smart glasses in the upcoming years, providing significant integration with their respective operating systems, potentially posing a challenge to Meta.