Quick answer: At Meta Connect on 23 September 2026, Meta announced camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses ($349, shipping 13 October), the camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 (from $449), wider availability for the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display, Adventurer sport frames (from $249) and 100-gram VR glasses priced around $1,300 for spring 2027. Prices are US prices.
Meta now sells smart glasses at almost every price point, and the lineup has become confusing. This guide sorts out what each pair actually does, who it suits, and the privacy questions that come with wearing a computer on your face.
Prices and dates below are from coverage of the event by Engadget, TechSpot and Hypebeast, as of early October 2026. Meta didn’t announce India pricing at the event.
What did Meta announce at Connect 2026?
| Product | Starting price (US) | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Adventurer frames | $249 | Pre-orders open; out 23 October 2026 |
| Ray-Ban Meta Audio | $349 | Pre-orders open; ships 13 October 2026 |
| Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 | $449 | Available from 23 September 2026, per Engadget |
| Meta Ray-Ban Display | $799 | US now; UK and Canada from 13 October |
| Meta VR Glasses | About $1,300 | Spring 2027 |
Engadget lists the VR glasses at $1,300, while TechSpot reports $1,299. Either way, they’re a premium product that won’t arrive until next year.
Ray-Ban Meta Audio: smart glasses without a camera
The most interesting launch might be the simplest. Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses drop the camera entirely. You get open-ear speakers for music and calls, microphones, and Meta’s AI assistant, in Clubmaster and Burbank frame styles.
According to TechSpot, they last up to 12 hours and only listen when you say “Hey Meta” or press the action button. Engadget reports they weigh 43 grams.
The missing camera is a direct answer to privacy complaints. TechSpot points out that New York banned camera-equipped smart glasses from courtrooms this year. If you want hands-free audio and an assistant but don’t want people wondering if you’re recording them, this is the pair to look at.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3: the mainstream camera glasses
The Gen 3 is the follow-up to Meta’s best-selling camera glasses. Engadget lists a 12MP camera that records 3K video, a six-microphone array and up to nine hours of battery life, in Aviator, Zena and Wayfarer styles. Special editions cost more, with an Aviator in milky beige at $579.
These suit people who want to take quick photos and videos from their own point of view, ask the AI about what they’re looking at, or take calls without earbuds. TechSpot adds that Meta plans to add 360-degree video recording later in 2026.
Meta Ray-Ban Display and the VR Glasses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display adds a small screen inside one lens, so you can see messages, directions and captions without picking up your phone. At Connect, Meta confirmed it’s available to order online in the US at $799, arrives in the UK (£749) and Canada (C$1,149) on 13 October, and has opened pre-orders in Germany, France and Italy at €899, according to Engadget.
The Meta VR Glasses are a different idea: a lightweight, 100-gram headset-in-glasses-form for games and movies. Engadget describes a 5K display, full-colour passthrough and a tethered computing puck. Hypebeast reports about three hours of battery life and support for the Meta Quest game library. They’re due in spring 2027, so treat any buying decision as a long way off.
What else did Meta announce?
Two smaller announcements could matter more to some buyers than the hardware itself.
- Hearing enhancement. Meta announced a hearing enhancement feature for its glasses. Engadget reports it will cost a one-time $149, or come included with a Meta One subscription, and will launch in the US later in 2026 before expanding to more models. If you have hearing concerns, talk to an audiologist rather than relying on a consumer gadget.
- Muse Charm. Meta also showed a keychain-sized device that houses a personal Muse AI agent. Details were thin, with Meta saying it would have “more to share later this year”.
Meta also lined up entertainment for its headsets and future VR glasses, including Disney+ 3D movies from November 2026, according to Engadget.
How do the glasses compare on battery and weight?
Battery life is the spec that most affects daily use, because you can’t swap a battery mid-day. Based on the figures reported at launch:
- Ray-Ban Meta Audio: up to 12 hours, 43 grams.
- Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3: up to 9 hours, with heavy camera use cutting that down.
- Meta VR Glasses: about 3 hours, per Hypebeast, with the processing done in a separate puck.
Manufacturer battery figures are usually measured under ideal conditions. Expect less if you record a lot of video or use the AI assistant constantly.
What about privacy and the people around you?
Camera glasses raise fair questions. People nearby may not notice they’re being filmed, and rules vary by place. Before you buy a pair with a camera, think about where you’ll wear them:
- Workplaces, schools, hospitals and courts may ban recording devices.
- Gyms, changing rooms and places of worship are obvious no-go zones for recording.
- Your AI conversations go through Meta’s services, so read the privacy settings and decide what you’re comfortable sharing.
If most of what you want is music, calls and an assistant, the camera-free Audio model avoids most of these issues.
Should you buy Meta smart glasses now?
We’d suggest a simple rule: buy for what the glasses do today, not for promised features.
- Want audio and a voice assistant? Ray-Ban Meta Audio is the cheapest way in, at $349.
- Want to capture photos and videos hands-free? Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 is the obvious pick.
- Want notifications and directions in your view? The Display model is the only one here that does that, at a much higher price.
- Interested in VR? Wait. The VR glasses won’t ship until spring 2027.
If you wear prescription glasses, check lens options and costs with the retailer, since they can add a fair amount to the final price. Our Tech News section has more launch coverage, including everything Apple announced in September.
Frequently asked questions
When was Meta Connect 2026?
Meta’s main Connect 2026 keynote, where the new glasses were announced, took place on 23 September 2026.
Do Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses have a camera?
No. They’re camera-free and focus on music, calls and Meta’s AI assistant. They cost $349 in the US and ship from 13 October 2026.
Are the new Meta glasses available in India?
Meta didn’t announce India pricing or dates for the new models at Connect 2026. Check Meta’s and Ray-Ban’s Indian websites for official availability before buying from a reseller.
How much are the Meta VR Glasses?
Engadget lists them at $1,300 and TechSpot at $1,299. They’re expected in spring 2027.