First Look: Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses in Action

The new $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, launched by Meta at its annual Connect event, represent the company’s first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in digital display. While the glasses themselves are notable for their functionality, the accompanying fuzzy gray wristband is arguably the most striking feature. This wristband, equipped with EMG sensors, detects electrical signals from the user’s body, allowing them to control the glasses using hand gestures. Though the wristband delivers a small electric jolt when activated, it is generally easy and comfortable to wear, resembling a regular watch strap.

These glasses mark a significant milestone for Meta as it advances toward CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of replacing smartphones with headsets and smart glasses as people’s preferred computing interface. Unlike last year’s Orion prototype, which was bulky, required a separate computing puck, and was designed solely for demonstrations, the Ray-Ban Display is ready for public sale in the U.S. starting September 30. This consumer readiness indicates Meta’s commitment to making smart glasses a viable product for everyday use, bridging the gap between experimental prototypes and practical devices.

The display, embedded in the right lens, is relatively small and translucent. While it does not provide immersive 3D visuals or wrap around the user’s field of view like high-end augmented reality headsets, it offers practical, utility-focused features. Users can read messages, preview photos, and access live captions while conversing, enabling a range of basic but useful functions. The display emerges just below the right cheek, giving the impression of a miniaturized smartphone screen that is transparent enough to avoid obstructing real-world vision.

In terms of functionality, the Meta Ray-Ban Display emphasizes utility over entertainment. While the high-resolution display produces clear images, icons and text can appear slightly murky when contrasted with the real-world environment. The glasses are designed to facilitate simple tasks such as activating the built-in camera, checking notifications, or glancing at music playlists on platforms like Spotify. The approach is pragmatic, providing users with discreet, glanceable information without creating a fully immersive visual experience.

Donning the glasses is straightforward, and the combination of lightweight design and wristband control makes the experience intuitive for first-time users. The EMG wristband’s slight electric jolt is noticeable but not uncomfortable, serving as a tactile confirmation that the sensors are activated. This method of control underscores Meta’s focus on gesture-based interaction, a step toward creating a more natural and hands-free user experience compared to conventional touchscreen or button-based devices.

Overall, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are a measured step toward Meta’s larger goal of mainstreaming wearable smart technology. While they do not yet offer complex augmented reality capabilities like the Orion prototype, their practicality, ease of use, and integrated display make them a promising introduction to consumer-grade smart glasses. The device demonstrates how wearable technology can merge convenience, gesture-based control, and digital information in a way that is both functional and non-intrusive. As the product becomes available to consumers, it is likely to generate interest among tech enthusiasts and early adopters, setting the stage for more advanced versions in the future.

In conclusion, the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses combine modest yet practical digital display functionality with intuitive gesture-based controls via the EMG wristband. Focused on utility rather than full immersive AR experiences, they signal an important step in Meta’s broader vision of wearable computing, bridging the gap between experimental prototypes and consumer-ready devices. With features designed for everyday tasks, the glasses provide a glimpse into the potential of smart eyewear as an extension of smartphones and digital interaction.