Meta Unveils New Smart Glasses with Built-In Display and Gesture-Controlled Wristband

Image Credit: Reuters

Meta Unveils New Smart Glasses with Built-In Display and Gesture-Controlled Wristband

Meta unveils new smart glasses with a built-in display and an innovative wristband controller, marking a major step toward wearable AI technology for everyday use.

At Meta Connect 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a next-generation pair of smart glasses featuring a display on the right lens for apps, directions, and notifications. Controlled by the Meta Neural Band, a sleek wristband capable of interpreting subtle hand gestures, the new product is set to launch on September 30 at a starting price of $799.

Meta’s Push into Wearable AI

Meta has long relied on smartphones and third-party devices like those from Apple and Google to reach users. With the Meta Ray-Ban Display, the company is aiming to own the hardware ecosystem and bring AI-powered features directly to consumers’ eyes — literally.

The glasses build on the success of the original Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have already sold millions of units through Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica.

Meta Ray Ban Display Social Share — Image Credits: Meta

Features of the Meta Ray-Ban Display

The new smart glasses come equipped with:

On-board AI assistant for voice commands and real-time assistance
Built-in display for viewing Meta apps like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp
Live translations and turn-by-turn directions on the lens
Cameras, speakers, and microphones for content creation and communication

Zuckerberg emphasized that the Neural Band — which resembles a minimalist Fitbit — enables intuitive control with electromyography (EMG) technology, interpreting electrical signals from your hand gestures. The band is water-resistant and offers 18 hours of battery life.

A Race for Smart Glasses Dominance

While the Meta Ray-Ban Display is less advanced than last year’s Orion prototype — which featured augmented reality (AR) lenses and eye tracking — Meta’s strategy is clear: be first to market with a consumer-ready product.

However, competition looms. Industry insiders expect Apple and Google to unveil their own smart glasses in the coming years, likely integrated deeply into their ecosystems.

Availability and Pricing

The Meta Ray-Ban Display will be available starting September 30, 2025, priced at $799. Meta is positioning the product as a practical entry point into wearable AI while continuing research on more advanced AR models like Orion.