Meta Unveils First Smart Glasses With Built-In Display at Connect Event

Meta Platforms on Wednesday introduced its first consumer-ready smart glasses equipped with a built-in display, expanding its Ray-Ban line and signaling the company’s ambition to redefine wearable technology.

At Meta’s annual Connect conference, held at its headquarters in Menlo Park, CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses alongside a wristband controller. Despite a few technical glitches during the live demonstration, the announcement was met with applause from attendees.

The Display glasses, priced at $799, feature a miniature digital screen embedded in the right lens that shows notifications and other basic information. A wristband included in the package allows users to control the device with hand gestures, enabling tasks such as answering calls or responding to messages. The product will hit stores on September 30.

Zuckerberg described smart glasses as the natural next step in personal technology. “Glasses are the ideal form factor because they let you stay present in the moment while giving access to tools that enhance communication, memory, and perception,” he said.

Alongside the Display glasses, Meta unveiled Oakley Vanguard, a new model designed for athletes. Priced at $499 and available from October 21, the Vanguard integrates with fitness platforms such as Garmin and Strava, offering real-time training metrics and post-workout summaries. The device also provides up to nine hours of battery life.

Meta also refreshed its existing Ray-Ban smart glasses line. While these lack a display, they now feature improved battery life, nearly double that of the previous generation, and a higher-quality camera. The updated model will retail at $379, up from the earlier $299 price point.

Industry analysts believe the Display glasses may serve as a stepping stone toward Meta’s more advanced “Orion” project, scheduled for release in 2027. That device, which Meta has teased as a futuristic leap in wearable computing, remains in prototype stage.

Forrester analyst Mike Proulx compared the Display launch to Apple’s first smartwatch, describing smart glasses as a practical, everyday form factor. “Meta will still need to prove the value to consumers,” he noted, “but there’s plenty of opportunity to grow market share.”

Meta’s announcements come at a time when the company faces scrutiny over child safety issues on its platforms. Recent reports have highlighted concerns about the impact of its technologies on young users, adding pressure on the company as it ventures deeper into new hardware markets.

Despite the challenges, Zuckerberg remained upbeat during his presentation—even when a live demo failed. “I don’t know what to tell you guys, I keep messing this up,” he joked, as the audience cheered him on.