Meta Launches Cheaper AI Smart Glasses As Wearables Battle Intensifies

Meta has unveiled a new line of artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses priced below its popular Ray-Ban models, as competition in the rapidly expanding wearable technology market continues to intensify.

The technology giant announced on Tuesday that the new glasses will start at $299, making them the most affordable option in its current smart eyewear lineup.

The launch comes as major technology companies race to establish dominance in what many analysts view as the next frontier of consumer electronics and AI-powered devices.

Like Meta's previous smart glasses, the new model is being produced in partnership with eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica. However, unlike earlier releases, the glasses will not carry either the Ray-Ban or Oakley brand names.

Meta's existing Ray-Ban smart glasses start at $379, while its Oakley-branded models begin at $399. The company's premium Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses currently retail for around $800.

The newly launched glasses retain many of the features that have helped Meta establish an early lead in the smart glasses market.

Users can capture photos and videos, listen to music, make phone calls and interact with Meta's integrated artificial intelligence assistant directly through the device.

The glasses will also support live translation capabilities, with Meta expanding the feature to include 14 additional languages.

According to the company, the device's AI functions are powered by Meta's proprietary artificial intelligence models, allowing users to access a range of voice-controlled services without relying heavily on smartphones.

Explaining the decision to introduce a lower-priced option, Meta Vice President of Wearables Alex Himel said the company wanted to make smart glasses accessible to a broader segment of consumers.

“We just feel like we need to have a pair of glasses at a lower price point, and we were trying to figure out what could work there,” Himel told technology publication The Verge.

Meta has emerged as the dominant player in the smart glasses category over the past two years, helped largely by the commercial success of its Ray-Ban partnership and growing consumer interest in AI-enabled devices.

However, rivals are increasingly moving into the sector.

Earlier this month, Snapchat parent company Snap announced a new generation of smart glasses known as Specs.

Unlike Meta's offerings, Snap's device is designed to provide a more advanced augmented reality experience, allowing users to interact with digital objects projected directly into their physical surroundings.

The company said users will not need to connect the glasses to a smartphone for core functions.

Snap's Specs are expected to launch later this year with a price tag of $2,195, significantly higher than Meta's current lineup.

Apple is also widely reported to be developing its own smart glasses, with industry reports suggesting a launch could come in 2027.

The company previously entered the mixed-reality market with the Vision Pro headset, which debuted at $3,499. Despite strong interest from developers and technology enthusiasts, sales of the device have reportedly fallen short of expectations.

Industry analysts believe the next phase of competition in wearable technology will increasingly centre on lightweight smart glasses that combine artificial intelligence, augmented reality and communication features in a familiar form factor.

Meta's latest release appears aimed at strengthening its early advantage by lowering the cost of entry and attracting consumers who may have been hesitant to pay premium prices for smart eyewear.

With major technology firms investing heavily in AI-powered devices, the battle for leadership in the wearable technology market is expected to intensify over the coming years.