My first reaction when I put on Meta’s $800 Ray-Ban Display was excitement. As frivolous as it may seem to have yet another screen in your life, there’s something transformative about gluing a display to your eyeball. Suddenly, you shift from a person with glasses to, like, a spy, or a cyborg—a cyborg spy! Yeah, that’s it. Ghost in the Shell fans will get it.
When I initially donned these smart glasses at Meta Connect, I smiled because this was what had been missing from my previous Ray-Ban smart glasses experience: a big, bright, full-color screen—the one thing people always wanted to know about when I showed them my deflatingly screenless Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses.
That little dose of magic is even further heightened by Meta’s Neural Band, a small wristband that, when slipped over your hand, reads the electrical signals in your arm, allowing you to navigate the Meta Ray-Ban Display with a series of finger pinches and thumb swipes.
The only other experience I can liken this combo to is the first time I used Apple’s Vision Pro, which creates a similar kind of magic, sans wrist-worn wearable. In both the Vision Pro and Meta’s Ray-Ban Display, you’re using technology the same way a wizard casts a spell—waving your hand to make the computer do what computers do, which, if you’ve watched as much sci-fi and fantasy as I have, is pretty f*cking rad.
Weirdly, I’m reminded of my grandma (my nonna, actually; sorry for being Italian) when I first showed her how to use a computer mouse on my family’s PC as a kid. “You move this little plastic thing on a desk, and it moves something on a screen!” Groundbreaking! It seemed silly to me then, but now, as I get older, I get it. Inputs and screens are exciting, no matter how jaded we get with the experience of using them.
So, there it is: excitement. That was my first reaction to the Meta Ray-Ban Display. My first reaction. It’s not, however, my last.
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### A See Change
If you’re like most people, the first thing you’re probably dying to know about the Meta Ray-Ban Display is how they actually look when worn.
The titular display part of the Meta Ray-Ban Display is a 90Hz (30Hz minimum), 600 x 600-pixel full-color screen with a 20-degree field of view, located in the bottom-right corner of the right lens.
**The good news?** Having a screen in that area means it doesn’t obstruct your vision when you’re walking around and doing stuff.
**The bad part?** Every time you look at it, you’re looking down and away as though you’re worried a snake might slither in and lunge at you. It’s not what I would call a natural resting face—let’s call it the “resting Meta face”—but let’s be honest, there’s nothing natural about walking around with a screen strapped to your eyeball.
The screen inside the Meta Ray-Ban Display is also very bright, with a max brightness of 5,000 nits. That might not seem like a stat you want to pay attention to, but believe me, in smart glasses, it’s critical. I’ve used less bright screens in other pairs, and they’re hard to see outside. If you’re spending $800 (before tax) on a pair of smart glasses, you’d better be able to use them out in the real world.
In terms of style, all Meta Ray-Ban Displays have transition lenses by default. This might seem like a bummer if transitions aren’t your thing, but it makes sense since the screen needs to be effective indoors and out. The transition lenses provide contrast in direct sun but remain see-through indoors, so you won’t accidentally step on your cat or something.
I find the screen very visible even in direct sunlight, probably due to the added contrast from the transition lenses. Also, you can get these with prescription lenses, which is good news for those reading this from behind regular glasses.
But, just because the screen is bright doesn’t mean it’s perfectly sharp. I find it sharp enough to satisfy the dream I had in my head of what a pair of display smart glasses from Meta would look like, but others might be less enthused.
One colleague in my office described the screen as “shaky,” which I wouldn’t agree with. Others said they struggled to see it or found it disorienting.
One thing I definitely found disorienting is that the lenses in the Meta Ray-Ban Display are actually mirrored. I assume this relates to the construction of the “geometric waveguides,” the display technology inside the smart glasses.
Geometric waveguides are special because they use mirrors to cut down on visual artifacts by reflecting light instead of splitting it like diffractive waveguides in other smart glasses. This also makes the screen hard to see from the other side—which, by the way, is true. People probably won’t know your screen is on unless you’re in a dark area and the brightness is turned up.
The benefits of using geometric waveguides are clear, but it can also be distracting at times since you can see behind you if you look to the right, or sometimes even when looking straight ahead.
I do feel like my visibility decreases when wearing the Meta Ray-Ban Display, probably more than with other smart glasses that have a screen. That said, I find the screen up to snuff, if not the highest resolution in the world, but I highly recommend seeing it for yourself before buying a pair.
Luckily, Meta requires sizing for wristbands in-store, but if you plan to buy aftermarket, I would suggest you don’t.
The takeaway? Your experience may vary, but the screen is surprisingly bright, if not always sharp or hi-res. Ultimately, the screen is just part of the picture; it’s also about what you can do with the screen—and on that front, the possibilities are… not endless.
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### So, Now What?
As cool as controlling a UI by waving your fingers in the air is, that thrill (for most at least) probably won’t last forever. When it fades, you’ll wonder, “Okay, so what now?”
In Meta’s case, the “what now” consists of a few things—and I really mean a few.
You’ve got bread-and-butter phone-type stuff like messaging, which covers Meta’s first-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger on Facebook and Instagram. Thankfully, it works with both iOS and Android, allowing you to send and receive messages from your phone.
In the smart glasses display, notifications appear as bubbles as they roll in. Personally, I find that a bit annoying—you have a screen now; you might as well use it.
Meta Ray-Ban Display is more integrated with Instagram and WhatsApp than with your phone. On iOS, pictures show up as links that require tapping to view, adding small friction that a first-party gadget wouldn’t have. Mostly though, the friction isn’t a dealbreaker.
Messaging from the smart glasses connected to your phone (I tested iOS) is simple but requires using the voice assistant. For example, I said, “Text Ray,” and Meta AI asked, “Which Ray?” After selecting the right contact with my thumb, I pinched to dictate my message: “I’m texting you from my stupid glasses.” I could even respond with a thumbs-up emoji when Ray texted back, “You look like a dork.”
There’s nothing revolutionary about sending and receiving messages on smart glasses, but seeing notifications on your eyeball is novel, and the ease of responding feels more refined than expected from such a new category.
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### Video Calling, Navigation, and Translation
Video calling is not ideal on the Meta Ray-Ban Display. There’s no camera facing your face for a natural video call experience. I tried video calling my partner through Instagram to test it; the results were low-res. Comparing to the same call on my iPhone 17, it became clear the glasses’ camera resolution is limited. So, I wouldn’t expect to use this feature much.
In addition to calls and messaging, there’s navigation, which Meta says is still in beta. I used it to walk around New York; it was decent. I even used dictation to enter an address on a busy Times Square sidewalk.
Having turn-by-turn navigation glued to your eyeball isn’t always useful, but in some situations, like walking through Times Square, it feels freeing. I could glance at the map on my face and keep one hand free to double-check the address on my phone—an oddly dystopian form of screen maxing.
Meta offers zoomed-in and zoomed-out views inside the UI, useful if moving quickly or on a bike.
Currently, when biking, I usually pull over to check my phone, which is not ideal. This feature could improve that experience.
Meta integrated additional map features too, including tabs to search for cafes, restaurants, parks, and attractions, sourcing data from OpenStreetMap.
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### Live Captions and Translations
Meta Ray-Ban Display includes live captions and live translation.
– **Live captions** use the smart glasses’ microphones to hear your surroundings and display the speech as captions in real time.
– **Live translations** do the same while converting one language to another on the fly.
I tested both. Live captions worked fairly well, keeping up with a fast-paced YouTube video. It didn’t nail every word, but got the broad strokes right. This can be useful for hard-of-hearing users or those with impairments in environments where the microphone picks up sound clearly.
Impressively, the glasses know when you’re talking and avoid captioning your speech. However, this also causes issues when two people talk over each other, sometimes missing your partner’s words.
Live translation worked with some variability. I tested it in a conversation with my bilingual partner (English and Spanish). It superimposed translated text in real time. Often, the translation was slightly off—not necessarily incorrect in meaning, but the grammar wasn’t rephrased properly to fit English, making reading and understanding a bit difficult.
These hiccups are expected with any translation app, and Meta AI is no exception. Still, I see this feature being handy for travelers; looking at translations on your smart glasses is more natural than looking down at a phone.
Google Translate remains more refined, but glancing at your smart glasses is marginally better than staring at a phone.
If you do need to use a phone, all translated text appears in the Meta AI app for easy reference.
One minor gripe: every time you want to switch languages, you must download that language onto the glasses via the Meta AI app, which takes a couple of minutes (on home Wi-Fi, not LTE). This isn’t a huge deal if you don’t switch languages often, but could be annoying if visiting multilingual regions.
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### Limited Apps — For Now
Besides those features and a simple camera and photo app, those are your main features. And when I say “main,” I mean the *only* features.
There is **no app store**, so if you were hoping to doomscroll TikTok on the Meta Ray-Ban Display, you’re out of luck. There’s no Gmail, no Slack, and not even proper Instagram or Facebook apps.
This seems an odd choice given some other smart glasses— with fewer resources—can do more. Even Inmo’s Air 3, which are lacking on hardware, have Google Play Store access, letting you download and use many apps in 2D.
It’s deflating to spend $800 on a forward-looking device only to find it can’t run a pared-down Instagram. I assume this will change eventually, but I can only review the Meta Ray-Ban Display as it is now: smart glasses with an impressive display you can’t do much with.
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### Time for (Neural) Band Practice
What gets lost amid the excitement of a bright, shiny screen is its companion: the Neural Band.
A big challenge in smart glasses with screens is how to control the UI. Meta’s solution is a magical wearable called the Neural Band, which uses electromyography (EMG) sensors to detect electrical signals from muscles and nerves, translating them into inputs.
You control the Meta Ray-Ban Display with small gestures:
– **Scrolling:** Make a fist and move your thumb over the top to navigate left, right, up, or down.
– **Select:** Pinch your thumb and index finger once.
– **Go back:** Single pinch of middle finger and thumb.
– **Wake/sleep screen:** Double tap middle finger and thumb.
– **Quick menu:** Long middle finger pinch.
– **Activate Meta AI:** Double tap thumb on fist or say “Hey Meta.”
Each input results in a small haptic buzz for feedback.
The Neural Band is surprisingly quick at reading inputs, though sometimes you must repeat commands. Accuracy depends on how tightly it’s strapped, so tightening helps if you have trouble.
Wearing the Neural Band all day can cause occasional accidental inputs—while typing, I had finger motions mistakenly registered, but it wasn’t a big issue.
The band itself is a cloth wristband with plastic sensors inside, similar to fitness bands like Whoop or Polar. It’s made from Vectran, a high-tech material used on Mars Rover crash pads—soft but strong.
Battery life is 18 hours, it charges magnetically, and it has an IPX7 rating (submersible in 1 meter water for up to 30 minutes). (Full disclosure: I didn’t test water resistance; dunk at your own risk.)
In user experience terms, this is the best input method I’ve tried so far for smart glasses, though it’s still a wristband.
I previously wrote that asking users to wear a wristband is a big ask; I still mostly agree. Wearing the band tightly enough for accuracy can get irksome, sometimes leaving a mark on your skin.
In a world full of fitness bands and smartwatches, the Neural Band looks banal but isn’t fully convincing as the ideal controls solution. My guess? It will be discarded when smart glasses integrate hand and eye tracking directly into frames.
Oh, and don’t accidentally throw away or lose your Neural Band—that’ll cost $199 for a replacement.
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### Important: Use Care with the Neural Band
Make sure you put the band on correctly. I accidentally reversed it once (button on the top sensor facing away), which caused incorrect inputs.
Because the glasses connect to your phone, I accidentally took and sent a picture to a friend. Luckily, it was PG, but it could have been awkward.
If that scenario worries you, I suggest practicing with the Neural Band for a few days before connecting your phone, so you can confidently control inputs without accidental mishaps.
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### How Does the Future Feel?
When choosing smart glasses, it’s crucial to consider how they look and feel—especially since $800 glasses are something you’ll want to wear for long stretches.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display feels comfortable over long use, though they are heavier than non-display versions: 69g (70g for larger sizes) versus 52g for Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2.
They’re also thicker; the frames are noticeably bulkier than Meta’s screenless glasses.
Thanks to EssilorLuxottica’s design acumen, they remain stylish on most faces. They might make some wearers look like Nerds (capital N intended) or Brooklyn hipsters circa 2004, but compared to other smart glasses with screens, they are stylish and fairly comfortable.
The style choices are limited: currently only Black or Sand finishes, both shiny instead of matte. I personally don’t love the look or the fingerprint magnet effect of shiny finishes.
One feature I love is the case—a black pleather collapsible case that can lie flat, perfect for slipping into your pocket. This is a bigger perk than it sounds, as these expensive glasses deserve to be well cared for when off your face.
Repairs for scratches or damage probably won’t be cheap or easy, if available at all.
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### Battery Life
Battery life uses the same new battery as Meta’s 2025 smart glasses (including Oakley Meta Vanguard and Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2).
After a full day of intermittent use—including about an hour of audio playback, messaging, and navigation—the glasses dropped from full charge at 10:30 a.m. to about 18% by 8 p.m.
For me, that’s sufficient, though it depends on how much a smart glasses junkie you are.
Charging is standard: slide the glasses between the arms inside the case, with the bridge resting on top; the charging case does the rest.
You’ll get up to 50% charge in about 20 minutes. The case holds 30 hours of battery in total.
Overall, expect more heft than screenless versions, even if EssilorLuxottica does a good job making that size work.
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### Cameras, Speakers, and Meta AI
Some parts of the Meta Ray-Ban Display remain the same as the screenless Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 and 2:
– Audio quality remains solid for calls and music.
– The camera is “fine,” but I was disappointed there’s no 3K 60fps capability like the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 and Oakley Vanguard glasses.
– Instead, it maxes out at 1440p at 30fps with the same 12MP sensor from previous generations.
I was underwhelmed shooting photos/videos. For $800, I expected better, though you’re probably buying for the screen anyway.
For a detailed camera analysis, check our original Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 review—it applies here.
A new feature is a real-time viewfinder showing what you’re looking at in the display, which is nice.
You can also zoom using the Neural Band by pinching your index finger and thumb and twisting your wrist counterclockwise.
A simple photo app lets you view and send pics and videos.
Meta AI functions as on previous glasses, with a pop-up circle showing when it’s activated and processing.
It handles simple voice commands like “take a picture” or “launch Spotify” well but struggles with complex queries like “what am I looking at?” or “what kind of flower is this?”
AI remains one of the least compelling aspects despite Meta’s emphasis.
I’d prefer Meta focused on smoothing voice assistant functionality rather than computer vision, though both are tough problems—Google, Amazon, and Apple have struggled with these for years.
The Meta AI app pushes some annoying AI content in your face, which may be off-putting, but if you’re using these glasses, you’ll have to make peace with it.
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### Rose-Tinted Smart Glasses?
Some feelings I expected when wearing the Meta Ray-Ban Display happened; some were surprising.
One expected feeling was distraction—and I was right.
In theory, smart glasses with screens could be less all-consuming than phones, but in practice, they aren’t. Notifications plastered on your eyeballs are even more distracting.
There’s something about bringing your body and eyes that close to a screen that I’m not sure I like.
Surprisingly, I also felt worried.
Wearing Meta’s smartest glasses made me introspective and a little douchey. Zooming around a floating screen with one hand is cool but also a bit depressing.
Is the novelty worth the distraction? The privacy implications for yourself and those around you? The feeling of being a “screen-zombie” staring at the ground?
These are personal questions, but they’re important to consider before diving in.
Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe the smart glasses future will fizzle, leaving glowing rectangles in our hands.
I doubt it.
With Google, Apple (reportedly), and Samsung poised to launch their own versions, I wager we haven’t seen the last of the smart glasses boom. That means we’ll have to decide how to integrate these devices into our lives.
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**In summary: Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart glasses bring an exciting, bright display and intriguing Neural Band controls but currently offer limited apps and mixed user experience. They are stylish yet somewhat bulky, with decent battery life and solid audio. If you’re curious about the future of wearables and screens at eye level, they’re worth exploring—but be prepared for some quirks and a learning curve.**
https://gizmodo.com/meta-ray-ban-display-smart-glasses-review-is-this-the-future-we-really-want-2000679520
