Meta and EssilorLuxottica released the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 smart glasses today. They start at $449, which is $70 more than the previous generation.
What's new
More battery in a slimmer frame. Gen 3 lasts up to nine hours on a charge, one hour longer than Gen 2, while the frames themselves got thinner.
An action button. A new customizable button sits beside the touchpad. You can assign it to Meta AI or other shortcuts, so you are not relying only on voice commands.
Better microphones. A six-mic array cuts more than 90% of background noise on calls and voice commands. Dolby Atmos audio capture is coming later this year as an update.
Dynamic photos. The 12MP camera records 3K video and now lets you pick which frame to keep after taking a shot, similar to Live Photos on iPhone.
Styles
Gen 3 comes in three frame styles:
- Wayfarer (the classic)
- Aviator (new to the line)
- Zena (a new cat-eye design)
There are 27 color and lens combinations at launch, and the temple tips can now be adjusted by an optician for a better fit.
Privacy
The LED that lights up when the camera is recording remains, so people nearby can tell when you are filming.
Pricing
| Region | Starting price |
|---|---|
| United States | $449 |
| United Kingdom | £409 |
| Germany | €449 |
Should Gen 2 owners upgrade?
Probably not. The extra hour of battery and the action button are nice, but the core experience is similar. For first-time buyers, though, Gen 3 is the most complete version of Meta's glasses yet, and it shows how seriously Meta is betting on glasses as the main way people will use AI.
Sources: MIXED, Engadget, Android Headlines
