Meta launches $1,299 VR headset and camera-less smart glasses

Meta unveiled three new smart glasses models at its Meta Connect event held on Wednesday.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stage to showcase the three devices, including the company's first Meta VR glasses, the camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses, and the third-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Priced at $1,299, the Meta VR glasses stand out among the three products. They feature a glasses-style design that delivers virtual reality capabilities, making other VR headsets seem outdated by comparison.

The company stated that this high-tech glasses will hit the market in the spring of 2027. It weighs one-fifth of its Meta Quest 3 headset and is equipped with a 5K display, which can be used for watching TV shows and 3D movies, playing games, and working.

Since users need to view two screens at the same time, external cameras are installed, allowing users to see the surrounding world while wearing the device.

The computing components, battery, and storage of the glasses are all integrated into a separate dedicated module that connects to the glasses via a cable, ensuring the glasses are light enough to be worn for extended periods.

When navigating, you can use gestures or talk to the built-in Muse AI assistant. Unlike the Muse app, you will see a fully rendered version of your custom Muse avatar.

Meta said that for movie enthusiasts, this VR glasses is the first VR device to receive IMAX Enhanced certification, allowing users to watch IMAX movies at home.

The company has also partnered with Disney+ (DIS) to give users access to films such as *The Avengers* and *Black Panther*. Meta stated that it is also working to bring Amazon's Prime Video, Google's YouTube, and other streaming services to the platform.

In the office, Meta VR glasses can display one large virtual screen or multiple small virtual screens, making it easy for you to switch between different applications throughout the day. Flat surfaces can be turned into virtual keyboards and mice, allowing you to browse the web and type on documents without additional accessories.

For gamers, Microsoft is bringing its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to the glasses, so that users can play games anytime, anywhere.

Meta also introduced a technology called "holographic calls". Users take photos of themselves in the Meta AI app, which then generates a full digital avatar. Users can use this avatar to make video calls with family and friends after putting on the glasses. Apple has a similar feature on its Vision Pro headset.

In addition to the Meta VR glasses, Meta also released the Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses priced at $349.

Unlike the standard Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses have no cameras, making them look more like a pair of standard Ray-Ban glasses.

With no cameras, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses are also lighter and have a battery life of up to 12 hours.

Like the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses, this audio-only version also allows users to listen to music and chat with Meta's AI without headphones. However, the AI this time comes in the form of the Muse AI agent.

Removing the cameras from the glasses also addresses one major criticism of Meta's smart glasses: that users could record videos of others without their knowledge.

Although Meta has equipped its Ray-Ban Meta glasses with LED indicators to let people know when the glasses are recording or taking photos, there have been cases where users tampered with the indicators.

The backlash triggered by this incident has prompted cities, states, and enterprises around the world to restrict the use of camera-equipped smart glasses under certain circumstances.

However, Meta is not abandoning camera-based glasses. The company also launched the third-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses priced at $449, which features longer battery life and improved microphones.

The company also updated its own-brand Meta glasses lineup, which differs from the Ray-Ban Meta glasses with a starting price of $249.

According to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), Zuckerberg's Meta is the global leader in smart glasses, accounting for 68.7% of global shipments in the second quarter of 2026.

But Meta is about to face several deep-pocketed competitors. Samsung and Google are also set to launch their own smart glasses later this fall. Designed by Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, these smart glasses will run on the Android XR system co-developed by Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm. Snap will also launch its Specs AR glasses, though they are priced as high as $2,195.

Apple is also rumored to be developing its own smart glasses, and Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reported that the company will launch the product at the end of 2027.

This article is from the WeChat official account "Tech Business", and is republished with authorization from 36Kr.