Meta plans to launch next-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses with an integrated display sometime next year — reports the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the developments.
The updated Ray-Bans could be released as early as the second half of 2025, the people said. The small display would be likely to be used to show notifications or responses from Meta’s virtual assistant.
It looks like the social media and eyewear giants plan to pivot their joint line of smart glasses more towards the augmented reality (AR) space. The move would allow Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses to better compete with not only Apple and its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset but also with Google and Samsung’s ambitions for Android XR.
While the Vision Pro occupies a decidedly secluded niche (and price point), Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper variant and smart glasses of its own. Meanwhile, Google and Samsung recently showed off plans for Android XR-equipped smart glasses and headsets, the latter of which the two behemoths plan to bring to market sometime next year.
Meta unveiled “Orion,” a prototype for the company’s first true AR glasses with holographic displays, back in September. However, the tech used by the Orion smart glasses is too expensive for the consumer market at this time. Instead, Meta may be planning a cut-down version of the Orion with less advanced display technology for the next installment of its Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Last week, Meta brought live AI, real-time language translation, Shazam music recognition, and more to its Ray-Ban smart glasses with the V11 software update.
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