TLDR
- Meta unveils $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses with built-in screens and AI integration
- Neural wristband enables gesture controls for hands-free operation
- Citi maintains Buy rating with $915 price target after Connect event
- Screen-free Ray-Ban models see price increase to $379 from $299
- Company expects to sell over 100,000 display units by end of 2026
Meta Platforms launched its most advanced smart glasses Wednesday at the annual Connect event. The $799 Ray-Ban Display model features Meta’s first consumer glasses with integrated screen technology.
The display glasses show text messages, video calls, and navigation directions in the right lens. Users can access Meta’s AI assistant results and use the screen as a phone camera viewfinder. The device also displays music playback information.
Mark Zuckerberg described the glasses as a step toward “superintelligence.” He emphasized AI should serve people directly rather than operate solely from data centers. The CEO positioned the glasses as part of Meta’s broader consumer electronics strategy.
Advanced Control System and Features
The glasses introduce gesture-based controls through a neural wristband. Users pinch thumb and index finger to select items. Swiping across the gripped hand navigates through menus and options.
Double-tapping activates Meta’s AI voice assistant. Hand twisting motions adjust volume and other settings. The wristband offers 18-hour battery life across three available sizes.
Live captions display spoken words with real-time translation support. Video calling shows conversation partners while sharing the wearer’s perspective. Text replies work through audio recording or voice dictation.
The glasses support Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Spotify at launch. Instagram initially handles direct messages only. Meta plans Instagram Reels viewing later this year.
Technical specifications include a 20-degree field of view with 600×600 pixel resolution. Brightness ranges from 30 to 5,000 nits for outdoor use. The 12-megapixel camera records 1080p video with six-hour battery life.
Market Response and Pricing Strategy
Citi maintained its Buy rating and $915 price target following the product launch. Analysts see increased optimism about Meta’s AI glasses strategy. The investment bank expects adoption could reach a tipping point in 2026.
Meta invested $3.5 billion in partner EssilorLuxottica, securing a 3% equity stake. This investment strengthens their collaboration on future smart glasses development and manufacturing.
The company raised prices on updated screen-free Ray-Ban models to $379 from $299. Meta cited component costs and margin requirements for the increase. The previous generation remains available at the lower price point.
Sales and Distribution Plans
New Oakley Vanguard glasses target sports users with enhanced water resistance. They feature 3K video recording and improved speakers with deeper bass response. The wraparound design includes advanced shooting modes.
Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth predicts Meta will sell over 100,000 display glasses by end of next year. He expects the company to sell every unit produced. Sales begin September 30 through Ray-Ban stores, LensCrafters, Best Buy, and select Verizon locations.
The display glasses serve as a stepping stone toward full augmented reality glasses planned for 2027 release. Meta faces future competition from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Chinese startups entering the market.
