Recently launched, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses stand out as one of the most practical wearable devices on the market. One of the primary benefits of these smart glasses is their ability to capture moments without the need to pull out a smartphone or camera. Designed for convenience, they allow users to document their surroundings from a first-person perspective, enabling a truly immersive experience. Introduced in September of last year through a collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica, these glasses offer significant enhancements over their predecessors, a fact that becomes evident after extensive use.
The concept of smart glasses is not entirely new, with various products hitting the market over the years, including Google Glass in 2014, Snapchat Spectacles in 2016, Bose’s Frames Tempo in 2021, Amazon Echo Frames in 2020, and Facebook’s Ray-Ban Stories in 2021 before it rebranded to Meta.
The question remains: Are the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses worth their price tag? This review aims to provide clarity on that matter.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Pricing and Availability
The starting price for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is $299 (approximately ₹25,000), with higher-end models reaching up to $379 (around ₹32,000), depending on the style. Prescription-wearers can customize their glasses through Ray-Ban, making them accessible for a wider audience. Available in wayfarer and headliner styles, these glasses cater to both regular users and those needing corrective lenses.
The smart glasses are currently available in only a limited number of countries, with features varying by market. Notably, they are not available in India, and no announcements regarding their arrival in that market have been made. Presently, they can be purchased in 15 countries, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and various European nations, through Meta.com as well as online and physical Ray-Ban stores.
An Overview of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come in minimalistic packaging, but the design of the accompanying charging case is noteworthy. Unlike traditional sunglasses cases, the Meta case serves as a portable charger, ensuring the glasses stay powered up and enhancing their battery life. The glasses feature a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera accompanied by a five-microphone array. They boast a resolution of 1440×1920 for video and have a storage capacity of 32GB. In addition to their visual recording capabilities, they also include open-ear speakers that deliver solid bass and clear audio, making them suitable for use in noisy environments. A touchpad on the right side allows for easy play and pause functions, as well as volume control through swipe gestures. The left side houses the power switch, and a tactile capture button is located on top of the right frame.
For privacy considerations, an LED on the right side, dubbed the Capture LED, activates during photo captures and remains lit while recording videos. This design choice addresses concerns raised with earlier models about the potential for unauthorized recording. The glasses are powered by the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 Platform, specifically designed for smart eyewear, guaranteeing swift connectivity, optimized thermal performance, and features such as binocular display support for hands-free notifications and directions.
Specifications of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Camera: 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 3024×4032 pixels image resolution & 1440×1920 pixels video resolution
SoC: Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 Platform
Microphone: Custom 5-mic array
Audio: Two custom-built open-ear speakers
Controls: Capture button and gesture support
Storage: 32GB
Battery Life: Up to 4 hours without case
Charging Case: Provides an additional 8 hours of usage
Companion App: Meta View app
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
Weight: 133 grams (including charging case)
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Everyday Practicality
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses can serve as a daily wearable accessory, and users have the option of adding prescription lenses if needed. After thorough testing in both indoor and outdoor environments, it is evident that these glasses can effectively substitute for action cameras. Unlike traditional action cameras, they require no additional equipment or mounting systems and seamlessly record what the wearer sees.
The design of the Meta glasses resembles that of typical wayfarers, with only a slight increase in weight. They are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods, and capturing images or videos is simply executed with a tap on the Capture button.
Photos taken during daylight are detailed enough for social media sharing, and the vertical orientation of images signals an understanding of modern sharing preferences. Users can promptly post their captures to platforms including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, or Messenger.
The video recording capability is particularly compelling, allowing users to film up to 60 seconds without needing to use their phone. The stabilization technology is impressive, capturing smooth, detailed footage. Additionally, the glasses enable the option to live stream; however, the quality may be subpar.
Despite claims of extended battery life, real-world performance fell short. While the glasses reportedly provide up to four hours of use, continuous testing revealed a battery drop to 20% after two hours of wear.
On the audio front, the Meta glasses incorporate open-ear speakers, sharing sound with those nearby, which might not be ideal in public settings. However, they can serve as a backup when earbuds are unavailable. The sound quality includes distinct treble but lacks bass, which is to be expected from open-ear devices. Still, for situations requiring audio, they can suffice.
Meta View App: Enhancements and Functionality
The Meta View app functions as the companion application for the smart glasses, facilitating quick connections and file transfers. It boasts numerous features, including privacy controls, settings for calls and voice commands, and share options for photos and videos. Users can also monitor battery status and adjust various settings through the app.
Areas for Improvement
While there are numerous strengths in the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, there are also areas that could benefit from enhancement. A helpful voice prompts users with battery status when wearing the glasses, but voice commands remain limited. Many “Hey Meta” queries fail to activate, with functionality restricted primarily to photography and video recording commands. An issue to note is the shutter lag, which presents a delay of approximately one second when attempting to capture images or record videos.
For instance, while trying to snap a picture of a sunset from the vehicle’s window in New Delhi, the delay caused a missed opportunity. Adding a zoom toggle could substantially improve user experience, especially for capturing distant subjects.
Another aspect worth mentioning is that while images and videos appear excellent in bright lighting, performance diminishes in lower light conditions, resulting in darker captures.
A minor inconvenience arises when trying to remove the glasses from the charging case. The pin design connecting the glasses to the case makes extraction cumbersome, which could detract from user experience during frequent usage. Improving this aspect could enhance the overall accessibility.
Battery life too needs attention; while claims suggest a four-hour lifespan without the charging case, our testing indicated a significant drop to 20% battery level after just two hours of continuous wear. Although the charging case extends battery lifespan, achieving the anticipated longevity would be ideal.
Despite these shortcomings, the glasses can still function as standard sunglasses even when the smart features are depleted, offering continued use without any tech reliant limitations.
Final Verdict on Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are an attractive option for daily wear, either equipped with prescription lenses or simply used as stylish sunglasses. They serve well as media accessories, capturing a distinct viewpoint, and excel in their dual role as glasses equipped with a camera and audio system.
Offering a range of features, including hands-free photo and video recording and live streaming capabilities, they also provide ease of use for calls and music. Call quality is generally satisfactory, and gesture functionality is on point. Their design is both modern and lightweight, making them appealing for everyday use.
At a starting price of $299, these smart glasses present an opportunity for users to have a camera integrated within their eyewear, enabling them to capture moments without the hassle of retrieving their smartphones—a core selling point. Overall, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses represent some of the most practical smart eyewear available today, despite having some limitations.
Pros:
- Diverse combinations available
- Good image and video quality for social media sharing
- Comfortable for extended wear
- Clear audio quality for communications
- Excellent battery life when used appropriately
Cons:
- Limited market availability (not obtainable in India)
- Challenging to remove from the charging case
- Noticeable shutter lag during captures
- Limited artificial intelligence functions
- Subpar low-light camera performance
