Meta and Ray-Ban have announced a new generation of their smart glasses, called Meta Ray-Ban Display, which integrate a built-in micro-display, Meta’s AI assistant, and a companion wrist accessory known as the Neural Band. The Neural Band uses electromyography (EMG) to capture subtle hand movements as input, giving the glasses a more natural control method than previous versions. Together, these features mark one of the company’s most ambitious steps toward wearable augmented reality that can blend into daily life without requiring bulky headsets.
The micro-display, positioned inside the right lens, is capable of showing text-based notifications, navigation prompts, translations, and AI-generated responses directly in the wearer’s field of view. Rather than being designed as a fully immersive AR headset, the Ray-Ban Display is focused on delivering contextual information in a discreet format, allowing users to access details such as turn-by-turn walking directions or instant translations without ever pulling out a phone. By embedding the experience into eyewear that looks nearly identical to traditional Ray-Bans, Meta is emphasizing usability and familiarity over futuristic appearance.
Control is provided through the Neural Band, which detects electrical signals from wrist muscles to translate small hand gestures into precise commands. A simple pinch can be used to scroll through a message, while a subtle flick might dismiss a notification, making the input system far more intuitive than tapping on a frame or relying exclusively on voice commands. The band offers up to 18 hours of battery life and carries an IPX7 water resistance rating, which means it is built to withstand everyday conditions rather than being limited to short demonstrations.
The glasses are available in Shiny Black and Shiny Sand finishes, and they include Transitions® lenses that automatically adjust between indoor and outdoor lighting environments. Despite the presence of a display, sensors, and wireless connectivity, the frames preserve the classic Wayfarer look, which has consistently been one of the biggest attractions for users who might otherwise hesitate to wear smart glasses that stand out too much.
In terms of battery performance, the glasses themselves are capable of running for around six hours of mixed use on a charge, but Meta has addressed one of the longstanding weaknesses of wearable devices by providing a collapsible portable charging case. With the case included, overall usage can extend up to thirty hours, allowing the Ray-Ban Display to function reliably throughout the day and well into the evening, a significant improvement over earlier generations that struggled to reach similar longevity.
In positioning the new model, Meta is drawing a clear line between its approach and the more expansive direction taken by Apple’s Vision Pro. While Vision Pro is a fully immersive spatial computer intended for productivity, entertainment, and mixed reality applications, Meta Ray-Ban Display is designed for lightweight convenience. It focuses on delivering useful information in the background, seamlessly integrated into eyewear that can be worn all day. Competing products such as Nreal Air have attempted similar ideas, but Meta’s combination of AI integration, subtle display technology, and gesture-based input through the Neural Band gives this release a distinct identity.
The glasses are priced at $799, which includes both the Ray-Ban Display and the Neural Band. Meta has confirmed that the product will launch in the United States on September 30, 2025, with availability in Canada, the UK, France, and Italy scheduled for early 2026. A wider international rollout is expected to follow, but no timeline has been provided.
By combining discreet hardware, AI-driven software, and a novel control system, Meta is signaling that its vision for augmented reality is not limited to headsets alone. Instead, the Ray-Ban Display represents a gradual but deliberate move toward making AR features part of everyday accessories, with the potential to normalize wearable computing in a way that feels approachable rather than experimental. Whether it succeeds will depend on adoption, comfort, and long-term support, but it underscores the company’s intent to lead in the shift toward ambient, always-available digital experiences.
