I Tested Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses (Including Secret Feature)

Stepping into the world of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses feels like getting an early glimpse at the next chapter of personal technology. These aren’t just ordinary frames; they integrate a color display directly into the lens and pair with a neural wristband, creating a system that aims to handle many of your smartphone’s functions right from your field of vision. The goal is to give artificial intelligence the context of your surroundings, moving beyond simple chat and into a more integrated, assistive role in daily life.

The sheer ambition of these glasses has made securing a demo a challenge since their debut. After finally getting my hands on a pair, I came away genuinely impressed by their design, the capabilities of their multimodal AI, and even a secret feature that isn’t yet public. Here’s a breakdown of what it’s like to use them and whether the $799 investment feels justified.

A smartphone for your face?

A key measure of any wearable’s value is its ability to replace a device you already rely on. Surprisingly, the Meta Ray-Ban Displays managed to pass this test during my session. I successfully used them for a variety of common tasks: playing music, responding to messages, capturing photos, browsing social feeds, and even joining a video call. The combination of the in-lens display and the neural band made each action feel surprisingly fluid.

From the outside, the lenses look perfectly normal, but your right eye sees a sharp, vibrant color display. The visuals remained crisp and clear, whether I was watching a video call or scrolling through an Instagram reel. Unlike other smart glasses with more obvious optical modules, this integrated display is discreet, making it nearly impossible for others to tell you’re looking at a screen.

The neural wristband, worn comfortably below the wrist, responds to subtle finger movements. A pinch between your index finger and thumb acts as a selection command, while a pinch with your middle finger takes you back to the home screen. It feels intuitive after a brief adjustment period. At one point, I found I could even perform these gestures with my hand tucked inside a sleeve, maintaining seamless control over the interface.

Pairing vivid visuals with the neural band’s subtle control essentially lets you access your digital world without drawing attention. Imagine discreetly answering a text or checking a notification during a meeting, it’s entirely possible. An upcoming handwriting gesture feature takes this further, allowing you to type by air-writing with your fingers. I tested this and was amazed by its accuracy, even with my sloppiest attempts. The motion feels natural, much like writing with a pen.

Enhanced AI assistance

The previous generation of Meta Ray-Bans already offered helpful AI features, like identifying objects or translating conversations in real time. The new Displays retain all that functionality but add a crucial visual layer that significantly improves the experience.

For instance, if you’re cooking and ask the AI for a recipe, it can now show you visual cards with ingredients and step-by-step instructions right in your display. You stay hands-free, using simple gestures to swipe through the information. In another test, I asked the AI to identify a flower I was looking at. It spoke the name aloud and simultaneously displayed an image and details in my viewfinder. I even requested it generate an image of a woman with that flower in her hair, and the picture appeared instantly. While the practical use for spontaneous image creation isn’t always clear, it powerfully demonstrates the technology’s potential.

A particularly useful feature is the real-time captioning of the world around you. This could be a game-changer for individuals who are hard of hearing, but it also offers everyday benefits, like following a conversation in a loud room. During my testing, the transcriptions were largely accurate, though my environment was relatively quiet.

Do they pass the everyday wear test?

For a product as personal as glasses, aesthetics matter. I was concerned the tech would make them bulky, but while they are noticeably less subtle than standard Ray-Bans, they still look like a stylish, albeit slightly chunkier, pair of frames. As someone who wears black frames daily, I found the design flattering and wearable. The Sand color option, a soft neutral, helps the glasses blend more naturally with your skin tone.

Comfort is just as critical as style, especially since you might wear them all day. Meta promises up to six hours of mixed use on a single charge. During my demo, they felt comfortable, with a fit and weight comparable to my own thicker everyday glasses. The frames weigh 69 grams, a bit more than the previous generation’s 52 grams, but not uncomfortably so. The neural wristband felt like a snug, flexible band that wasn’t irritating, though a longer test would be needed to fully assess all-day comfort.

The final impression

The Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses come across as a thoughtfully developed product that could genuinely enrich daily routines. They blend style, comfort, and promising, practical applications. However, with a price tag of $799, they are positioned for early adopters and tech enthusiasts eager to experience the potential future of AI-powered wearables. For that audience, Meta makes a very compelling case.

(Source: ZDNET)