Meta has taken another step into the world of wearable tech.
At Meta Connect 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a new pair of smart glasses that bring apps, alerts, and directions directly into your line of sight.
These glasses are paired with the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that picks up subtle hand gestures, making it possible to control apps without touching your phone.
What Makes the Meta Ray-Ban Display Different?
Unlike last year’s Orion prototype, the Meta Ray-Ban Display isn’t just a demo.
It’s a real product hitting the market on September 30, 2025, priced at $799.
Think of it as Meta’s way of freeing itself from relying on Apple or Google hardware.
Instead of just living on someone else’s devices, Meta now wants to create its own gateway into your digital world.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Price | $799 |
| Launch Date | September 30, 2025 |
| Partner | Ray-Ban / EssilorLuxottica |
| Controls | Meta Neural Band (gesture-based) |
| Battery Life (Neural Band) | 18 hours |
| Water Resistance | Yes |
| Built-In Apps | Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook |
| Extras | Live translations, navigation, AI assistant |
How the Neural Band Works
The Neural Band looks like a sleek fitness tracker, but it doesn’t have a screen.
Instead, it uses electromyography (EMG) technology to read signals between your brain and hand.
That means when you make small movements like pinching your fingers, it can be translated into a command.
In simple terms, it’s like magic.
Instead of fumbling for buttons or swiping on your phone, you can control your glasses with tiny, almost invisible gestures.
Why Meta is Betting Big on Smart Glasses
Meta has already sold millions of its earlier Ray-Ban smart glasses.
With this new model, the company is adding a built-in display, making the glasses far more useful.
Here’s what you can do with them:
- Check notifications without pulling out your phone
- Follow directions while walking or driving
- Use social apps like Instagram or WhatsApp right on the lens
- Translate text in real-time while traveling
- Talk to an AI assistant built into the glasses
Meta hopes these features will make the glasses an everyday device, not just a cool gadget.
Why This Could Matter
Imagine you’re traveling in a foreign country.
Instead of holding up your phone for directions or translations, the glasses show it all right in front of you.
Or think about biking across town, you can see turn-by-turn navigation on your lens without looking down at a screen.
That’s the kind of convenience Meta is trying to sell.
The Competition Heats Up
It’s not just Meta chasing the dream of smart glasses.
Google and Apple are reportedly working on their own versions, and when those eventually arrive, they’ll likely connect seamlessly with Android and iOS. That could give them an advantage.
For now, Meta’s edge is speed to market. While Orion: the futuristic AR headset Meta teased in 2024, remains years away, the Ray-Ban Display is ready for everyday users today.
The Road Ahead for Smart Glasses
Are these glasses perfect? No.
They’re less advanced than Orion, and they don’t yet deliver the full augmented reality experience. But they do represent a practical step forward.
Tech companies are betting big on smart glasses as the future of personal computing. And with the Ray-Ban Display, Meta is planting its flag early.
The real question is: Will people wear them every day, the way we use smartphones now? That’s what Meta is about to find out.
