Meta Unveils New Smart Glasses with a Display and Wristband Controller

Meta on Wednesday unveiled a new pair of Ray-Ban-branded smart glasses with a built-in display, designed to show apps, alerts, and directions on the right lens. A wristband controls the smart glasses, called the Meta Neural Band, which detects subtle hand gestures. This wristband is the same device Meta introduced last year during its Orion demo at Meta Connect.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new product, named Meta Ray-Ban Display, at the company’s annual developer conference, Meta Connect 2025. Unlike the previous Orion demo, Zuckerberg emphasised that this product will be available for purchase in just a couple of weeks, starting September 30, priced at $799.

This new release marks Meta’s latest attempt to bring consumer smart glasses to market, aiming to take on traditional smartphone tasks in a wearable form. For years, Meta has been working to reach users through devices from competitors, notably Google and Apple. While the company has heavily invested in virtual reality (VR) headsets, AI-powered smart glasses now appear to be the most promising way for Meta to connect with users through its own hardware.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display aims to build on the success of the original Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have sold millions of pairs in partnership with eyewear company EssilorLuxottica. Similar to the original glasses, the Meta Ray-Ban Display includes an onboard AI assistant, cameras, microphones, and speakers, allowing users to connect to the cloud for access to internet services and social media apps.

The addition of the display opens up a range of possibilities for users. The smart glasses will allow people to access Meta apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook directly from the display. Users will also be able to view directions and see live translations while using the glasses.

The Meta Neural Band, which ships alongside the glasses, functions like a Fitbit but without a screen. It allows users to control the smart glasses by making small hand gestures. Zuckerberg shared on stage that the Meta Neural Band offers 18 hours of battery life and is water-resistant.

The Neural Band uses electromyography (EMG) to detect the signals sent between the brain and hand when performing specific gestures. Meta is betting that this new interface will offer a more intuitive way for users to control their devices.

Earlier this week, a video leak revealed images of Meta’s latest smart glasses. Reports from CNBC and Bloomberg had previously indicated that the smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, would be showcased at this year’s Meta Connect event.

However, it’s important to note that the Meta Ray-Ban Display is significantly less advanced than the Orion smart glasses Meta revealed at Meta Connect 2024. The Orion model featured augmented reality lenses and eye tracking, while the new Meta Ray-Ban Display only uses a simpler display screen. It may take several years before Meta launches a consumer version of the Orion smart glasses.

Nevertheless, Meta is hoping to win the smart glasses race by being the first to market with a real product. But, as competition from Google and Apple looms, these tech giants will likely launch their own smart glasses in the near future, with the advantage of seamless integration into their operating systems, giving them a significant edge over Meta.