Meta’s New Smart Glasses and Wristband: Everything You Need to Know

Meta just revealed its most ambitious wearable lineup yet — a new generation of smart glasses with a built-in display and a neural wristband that lets you control them with subtle hand gestures. Alongside this, Meta also introduced a new Oakley-branded pair of sport-oriented glasses and upgrades to the existing Ray-Ban Meta collection.

This isn’t just a spec bump. It’s a signal that Meta is betting big on everyday augmented reality, blending fashion, fitness, and futuristic interfaces into one ecosystem.

Key Highlights

• Built-in Display: First Ray-Ban Meta glasses with a visible display in the lens

• Neural Wristband: Control glasses through muscle-signal hand gestures (EMG technology)

• Oakley Vanguard: Sport-focused glasses with better durability, water resistance, and fitness tracking

• Better Battery Life: Across the updated glasses lineup

• Price & Release: Starting at $499 (Oakley) and $799 (Ray-Ban Display Glasses), available from September 30 in the U.S.

The New Ray-Ban Meta Display Glasses

Meta’s new flagship glasses bring a true AR experience to consumers.

Features & Specs

• Display built into the right lens for notifications, maps, and AR overlays

• Neural wristband for gesture-based control — tap fingers, pinch, or swipe without touching the glasses

• Camera upgrades for sharper photos and videos

• Slimmer design that still looks like classic Ray-Bans

Oakley Meta Vanguard: For Sports and Fitness

If you’re an athlete or fitness enthusiast, the Oakley Meta Vanguard is designed for you.

• Center-mounted action camera for POV recording

• Integration with Garmin, Strava, and fitness apps

• Water-resistant and durable frame

• 9-hour battery life for all-day workouts

• $499 price point

How They Compare to Previous Meta Glasses

Meta’s earlier Ray-Ban Stories were focused on social content capture — quick photos, short videos, music streaming, and hands-free calling. These new glasses raise the bar.

What’s New vs. Old:

• Display: Previously absent, now built into the lens

• Gesture Control: Adds neural wristband input instead of just voice/touch

• Performance: Improved battery and faster processing

• Purpose: From “social content” focus → full AR experience

• Design: More premium options with higher price points

How Gesture Control Works

The wristband uses electromyography (EMG) to read electrical signals from your muscles when you move your fingers. This allows you to:

• Scroll through menus

• Accept or reject calls

• Trigger photos/videos

• Navigate displayed AR content

This is one of Meta’s most futuristic steps yet, reducing reliance on voice commands (which aren’t always practical in public).

Pricing and Availability

• Ray-Ban Display Glasses: $799

• Oakley Meta Vanguard: $499

• Updated Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: Price varies by model

Pre-orders are open now and shipping begins September 30, 2025, starting in the U.S.

Where to Learn More

You can read Meta’s official announcement on their newsroom page: Meta Newsroom

Final Thoughts

Meta’s new smart glasses and wristband represent a major step toward everyday AR adoption. The addition of gesture controls, a built-in display, and a dedicated sports model gives consumers more choice – whether they want fashion, fitness, or futuristic tech.

For businesses and creators, this opens a new frontier for immersive advertising, hands-free content capture, and real-time information delivery.