Virtual reality technology is transitioning towards sleek, wearable glove-like devices, similar to smart glasses, as requested by users, with Meta leading the charge in this innovation.
Meta, the parent company behind Facebook, is making significant strides in the smart glasses market. Here's a roundup of the latest news and developments.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Gen 3
Meta is set to release the third generation of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, expected by Fall 2025, possibly at Meta Connect 2025 in mid-September[1][4]. The new glasses will come in two main styles: Optical (prescription) and Sunglasses, offering a variety of lens options[1][2].
Key features rumored for the Gen 3 models include significantly improved battery life, running AI features for hours rather than the current 30 minutes, enhancing live AI capabilities[2][3]. Additionally, enhanced AI-driven functions such as real-time object and scene recognition ("super sensing") are expected, offering a more substantial AI experience than previous models, including Oakley Meta[3].
Leaks hint at a possible third-tier model featuring a screen embedded in the lenses, a first for Ray-Ban Meta and a significant advancement in smart glasses technology[1].
Oakley Meta Smart Glasses
Oakley Meta smart glasses are also evolving, with Meta planning to release another pair based on the Sphaera style[4]. The recently released Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses have already shown improvements in image stabilization and better battery life[6].
Meta Quest Devices
In the realm of VR headsets, Meta has partnered with Xbox for hardware, although the specifics of this partnership remain unclear[7]. The Quest 2 has outsold the Xbox, but the Quest 3 weighs just over 500g, with the lighter weight of the Meta Quest 4 expected to make a significant difference[8].
Meta has also revamped the Quest store (now called the Horizon Store) and allows indies to jump straight to the main listings[9]. This year, Meta has been more transparent with developers, offering insights like how to develop for the "Goldilocks" session time and suggestions to push for free-to-play content[10].
Interestingly, the Meta Quest 3S sold out at Meta's website in a matter of days[11]. However, reports suggest that the Meta Quest 4 has been "canceled" in favor of a radical new design that is supposed to look a lot more like goggles than a traditional VR headset[12].
Financial Aspects
Meta's Reality Labs division's revenue in 2025 is driven by increased sales of Ray-Ban Meta glasses and partially offset by lower Quest headset sales[13]. Meta has invested another $3.5 billion into EssilorLuxottica, the parent company behind Ray-Ban and Oakley, with plans to invest even more[5].
As of February 2025, Meta has sold over 2 million Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, and plans to ramp up production to sell 10 million a year[14]. The Meta Quest 4 is expected to be released in late 2026 or early 2027, and is expected to look more like Meta Orion smart glasses than the current Quest headset design[15].
In summary, within the next 6-12 months, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Gen 3 with upgraded optics, AI features, and longer battery life are expected, along with potential innovations such as lens-based displays. Meta is also planning to release multiple form factors and price tags of smart glasses to see what resonates with consumers.
[1] TechCrunch [2] The Verge [3] CNET [4] Engadget [5] Bloomberg [6] Wired [7] IGN [8] TechRadar [9] UploadVR [10] VentureBeat [11] Polygon [12] Kotaku [13] TechCrunch [14] The Information [15] Ars Technica
- The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Gen 3, due for release in Fall 2025, is expected to incorporate advancements in technology, featuring improved battery life and upgraded AI capabilities, making them a notable addition to smartphone users' gadget collections.
- Despite the growing market presence of smartphones, Meta continues to explore various areas of technology, with the latest developments suggesting potential innovations in the realm of smart glasses, such as the integration of screen displays within lenses, that could rival the popularity of traditional mobile devices.
