Meta launches $299 smart glasses without Ray-Ban, starting at $80 less

Meta has officially launched its own branded smart glasses without the Ray-Ban name, dropping prices by $80 to $299. The new line includes three styles: Meta Fury (chunky square), Meta Adventurer (slimmer square), and a Kylie Jenner collaboration with a distinct Y2K aesthetic. All are designed and manufactured with EssilorLuxottica but omit the Ray-Ban brand to hit a lower price point. According to VP Alex Himel, the brand removal was purely a pricing decision, not a distancing from Ray-Ban. The internal specs match the recently released Ray-Ban Meta Optics Styles, with improved battery life and adjustable nose pads that click into three positions. The glasses also feature overextension hinges for comfort.

Privacy remains a contentious issue, with reports of Meta building facial recognition features for its smart glasses. Alex Himel promised privacy improvements are coming but did not detail specifics. The Kylie Jenner glasses include a unique lens gem and mirror case, targeting a fashion-forward audience. Overall, the move expands Meta’s wearable ecosystem while undercutting its own Ray-Ban line, potentially pressuring rivals like Google and Samsung. The adjustable fit and lower price may attract more casual users, but the facial recognition controversy could dampen adoption among privacy-conscious professionals.