Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: AI & Camera Upgraded

Meta's latest Ray-Ban smart glasses, the Gen 3, offer incremental improvements over their predecessor. These updates focus on enhanced audio with a six-mic array for clearer calls and a modest increase in battery life, providing an extra hour of use. The smart glasses retain their AI assistance and 12MP camera, now integrated into three frame styles: the new Aviator and Zena, alongside the continuing Wayfarer design. These new configurations start at $449, reflecting the upgrades from the previous $379 model.

While the core technology remains consistent, the new frame styles offer diverse aesthetic choices for consumers. The Aviator and Zena frames introduce fresh designs, complementing the enduring Wayfarer. Pricing varies based on lens and frame color options, with custom configurations incurring an additional $20 charge. The glasses' weight remains comparable to previous models, though slightly heavier than camera-free alternatives like the Ray-Ban Meta Audio.

Controls for the Gen 3 are managed via a touch surface and button on the right temple, offering responsive interaction for media playback and Meta AI commands. Battery life extends to approximately nine hours on a single charge, with the accompanying case providing an additional 50 hours. The 12MP camera captures stills and 3K video, primarily in a 4:3 vertical aspect ratio, suitable for social media sharing but potentially limiting for other uses. Meta AI integration allows for hands-free task management, communication, and information retrieval.