Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: What You Need to Know
It’s been six months since I purchased a pair of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Like a lot of people looking at getting these, I had some questions. What is the point of these if you’re not an Instagram influencer or just don’t care about posting to social media? Would I use them enough to justify the cost? Six months later, I know the answer to both.
Design That Fits Right In
Meta and Ray-Ban have done something remarkable. These glasses look like something people already wear. Over the past six months, I’ve walked by and talked with countless people, and only one person realized what they were. The main giveaways are the camera and slightly thicker sides.
Meta Ray-Bans come in a few styles: Headliner, Wayfarer (which I have), and others. You can get prescription lenses or transition lenses, though those will cost an extra $50 to $80.
How These Glasses Work
The Meta Ray-Bans are smart glasses with several standout features:
- Integrated Camera: For capturing photos and videos.
- Open-Ear Speakers: Built into the sides for audio.
- Meta AI: For tasks like hands-free phone calls or sending messages.
Controls include a capture button on the top right for photos and videos, a touchpad on the right side for volume and skipping tracks, and integration with Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Apple Music is only available on the iPhone version of the Meta View app.
Durability and Use
The glasses have an IPX4 water resistance rating, meaning light rain won’t harm them. I wore them kayaking in the Sound without issues. Just wipe them off if they get wet.
The open-ear speakers produce surprisingly decent sound quality. Over the past six months, I’ve reached for my earbuds less, especially when I only wanted background music. One of my favorite features is transitioning music from my car to the glasses with a single tap.
The five-mic system is excellent for phone calls. You can take calls directly from the glasses, and the mic quality is solid.
AI Features
Meta AI has two main categories:
- Task-Oriented: For hands-free phone calls, taking photos, sending texts, playing music, and adding videos directly to Instagram Stories. You can send messages via WhatsApp and Messenger.
- General Conversations: You can ask the assistant search queries like, “What zones do pawpaw trees grow in?” It can even perform proactive checks, like telling you if your camera lens is dirty.
Camera Performance
The glasses pack a 12-megapixel camera. While that might not sound impressive compared to modern smartphones, the quality is surprisingly good. Colors are accurate, and HDR processing isn’t overdone.
The unique vantage point makes them great for capturing moments like kayaking or hiking. I’ve caught moments I’d miss if I had to grab my phone.
However, there are constraints. Videos are limited to 3 minutes, and photos and videos are fixed in a portrait orientation, which isn’t always ideal.
Battery Life
The glasses come with a leather Ray-Ban case that doubles as a charger. Meta claims 4 hours of battery life on a single charge, and my experience has been similar. The case extends usage to 36 hours and offers quick charging—15 minutes gives 30 to 40% capacity.
What I Don’t Use
While I use the Meta assistant for tasks like controlling media and making calls, I haven’t found much use for deeper features like identifying objects. For instance, I asked it to identify a tree, and it just said, “You’re looking at a tree with green leaves.”
I’ve also rarely used direct sharing features like adding videos to Instagram Stories. Outside work, I don’t post on social media often.
Downsides
There are some limitations:
- Meta AI Assistant: It can’t identify songs or let you reply to texts. It also confidently provides incorrect answers sometimes.
- Battery Life: Four hours is decent but could be better. Eight hours would be ideal for long days.
- Photo Delay: There’s a slight 1-2 second delay between pressing the button and the photo being taken.
- Comfort: After several hours, the glasses can feel heavy on the ears.
Who Should Buy These?
If you tend to lose sunglasses often, these might not be for you. Unlike AirPods, there’s no tracking if they get lost.
However, if you’re already in the market for $200 designer sunglasses, spending $100 more for added features like a camera, speakers, and assistant is an easy upsell.
Final Thoughts
The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are impressive. They’re great for capturing moments, taking calls, and listening to music. While there are some limitations, these glasses are a fun and practical wearable. Where they are today is impressive, and I’m excited to see what future versions bring.