Meta is broadening its wearable hardware lineup with new audio-focused Ray-Ban glasses, a third generation of its camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta line and a lightweight VR system scheduled for 2027. The company also announced new software and wider availability for its existing Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses at Connect 2026 on September 23.
Ray-Ban Meta Audio focuses on music, calls and voice interaction, while Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 updates the company’s camera-equipped smart glasses with longer battery life and new controls. Meta is also adding navigation, calling and notification features to Meta Ray-Ban Display as it expands the product into more markets.
The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses weigh 43 grams and support music, calls and hands-free access to Meta AI. Meta rates them for up to 12 hours of use per charge, with up to another 48 hours from the charging case. They come in Clubmaster and Burbank styles and support a range of optical prescriptions.
Ray-Ban Meta Audio starts at $349. Preorders opened September 23, with shipping scheduled for October 13.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 adds longer battery life
Meta also launched Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, the latest version of its camera-equipped smart glasses. The new model has a slimmer design, up to nine hours of battery life and a customizable action button for faster access to Meta AI.
A six-microphone array is designed to improve calls and voice commands, while a 12-megapixel camera supports photos and 3K video recording. Meta says the microphone system can cut more than 90% of background noise, a company-provided performance claim. The glasses retain an external LED intended to alert people nearby when photos or video are being captured.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 is available now in Aviator, Wayfarer and Zena styles, starting at $449. Meta also plans to add Dolby Atmos spatial-audio recording to its AI glasses later this year.
Meta Ray-Ban Display gets new navigation and calling features
Meta is also updating Meta Ray-Ban Display with cycling directions and real-time public-transit departure information in the U.S. and Canada. Walking directions will also be able to reference visible landmarks, such as buildings, rather than relying only on street names.
A planned Hologram feature will create a photorealistic digital representation of the wearer for video calls after an initial face capture in the Meta AI app. Meta says the system infers facial expressions from the user’s voice. Early Access on WhatsApp is scheduled for U.S. users later this fall.
The glasses are also getting an Explore app for glasses-specific experiences, expanded calendar controls and mirrored phone notifications. Meta began U.S. online ordering September 23 and also launched sales in Canada and the U.K. France, Italy and Germany are scheduled to receive broader availability October 13.
Meta previews lighter VR glasses for 2027
Meta also introduced Meta VR Glasses, a new virtual-reality system scheduled for next year.
The glasses weigh about 100 grams, with processing, battery and storage moved into a separate puck connected by an optical tether. Meta says the design uses micro-OLED displays, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite processor. The puck is rated for up to three hours of high-resolution media playback.
Meta is positioning the device for movies, immersive sports, gaming and productivity, including multi-screen virtual workspaces and hand-, eye- and voice-based controls. More than 75 games are expected to support gesture-only play at launch, with additional titles available through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Meta VR Glasses are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2027 for $1,299.99.

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