Meta Unveils $799 Ray‑Ban Display AR Glasses with Integrated HUD

Meta announced its first pair of AR glasses, the Meta Ray‑Ban Display, priced at $799. The device combines a translucent heads‑up display, camera, audio and gesture‑based controls, and ships with a dedicated EMG wristband called the Meta Neural Band. Available initially at select U.S. retailers—including Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray‑Ban and Verizon—on September 30, the glasses will later roll out to Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. At the Connect 2025 event, Meta demonstrated music playback, photo capture, real‑time subtitles and AI‑driven interactions, while noting a missed phone‑call demo. The glasses feature 42 pixels per degree, up to 30 hours total battery life, and auto‑adjusting Transitions lenses.

Product Overview

Meta introduced the Meta Ray‑Ban Display, its inaugural AR glasses with a built‑in screen, priced at $799. The device is positioned as a limited‑release product for brick‑and‑mortar stores in the United States, with retail partners that include Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray‑Ban and Verizon. Initial availability is slated for September 30, after which the product will expand to Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom in early 2026.

Features and Interaction

The glasses incorporate a translucent heads‑up display (HUD) that surfaces text chats, AI prompts, turn‑by‑turn directions and video‑call interfaces. Users can interact through gestures, such as swiping fingers to compose a chat reply. Each pair is bundled with an EMG wristband, the Meta Neural Band, which enables these gesture‑based controls. The HUD supports full‑color visuals and is described as “extremely high resolution,” delivering 42 pixels per degree of field of view—more than double the 20‑pixel density of the Meta Quest 3S.

Demo Highlights at Connect 2025

During the Connect 2025 conference, Meta showcased several capabilities. While the glasses failed to receive a phone call in a live demo, they successfully opened Spotify, played music, captured and displayed photos, and generated real‑time subtitles. The HUD also demonstrated AI‑driven functions such as image preview and zoom, pedestrian navigation, live captions, translations and music playback. Zuckerberg streamed a point‑of‑view feed from the glasses, with the HUD on the right side showing Spotify controls, calendar reminders, incoming messages and images, and offering response options via dictation, emojis or typed phrases.

Design, Battery Life and Durability

The Meta Ray‑Ban Display is offered in black and sand colorways, with standard and large frame sizes. All models feature Transitions lenses that automatically adjust to ambient light. Battery performance is split between mixed‑use and total capacity: the glasses provide six hours of mixed‑use battery life and up to 30 hours of total usage. The accompanying Meta Neural Band delivers 18 hours of battery life and carries an IPX7 water‑resistance rating.

Market Position and Future Outlook

Meta positions the Ray‑Ban Display alongside its broader smart‑spectacle lineup, which includes a second‑generation Ray‑Ban Meta model—also noted for a demo hiccup—and the Oakley Meta Vanguard. A leak earlier in the week confirmed the product details, capping a year of speculation surrounding Meta’s HUD‑centric initiatives. With a competitive price point, high‑resolution display and integrated AI features, the Meta Ray‑Ban Display aims to bridge the gap between conventional eyewear and immersive augmented reality experiences.