After nearly a decade of testing smart glasses, the most common question I get is, can you actually see anything in them? For years, the answer was a disappointing no. But that era is over. While many glasses with displays have emerged recently, the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are the first to truly deliver on the classic idea of smart glasses. It is crucial to understand these are not full augmented reality glasses like Meta’s advanced Orion prototype. Meta classifies these as display AI glasses, a distinct category. The display is only on the right lens, with a modest 20-degree field of view. This might sound like a limitation, but in practice, it is a smart compromise that makes the glasses practical for all-day wear. The single display is designed for quick glances, not constant immersion. This approach means the display is remarkably sharp, at 42 pixels per degree. The clarity was even better outdoors thanks to automatic brightness adjustment. A major plus is the display’s discretion. When you look at someone wearing these glasses, you cannot see any light from the display. It is nearly invisible up close. This practical design keeps the cost lower at 799 dollars and, more importantly, prevents the glasses from looking bulky. At 69 grams, they are slightly heavier than the previous Ray-Ban Meta glasses, but the difference is minimal. The availability in lighter colors, like sand, is a welcome change from the typical thick black frames common in smart glasses. A key accessory is the Meta Neural Band wristband. It works by detecting subtle muscle movements in your hand and wrist, translating them into commands for the glasses. The gesture control is surprisingly intuitive. You navigate by swiping your thumb along your index finger like a D-pad. Adjusting volume is done by pinching your thumb and index finger together and rotating your wrist like a knob. It takes a little practice, but it feels natural quickly. The ultimate goal for Meta is to have these glasses reduce your dependence on your phone. While not a full replacement yet, the display significantly cuts down on how often you need to pull out your phone. You can view incoming texts, walking directions with map previews, and calendar events. I even took a video call, which worked flawlessly, allowing me to see the caller and a small preview of my own camera feed. One of the most impressive features is the live captioning for in-person conversations. It is surreal to see real-time subtitles of someone talking right in front of you. While it felt unusual for casual chat, the potential for people with hearing difficulties or for real-time translation is enormous. Another upcoming feature, Conversational Focus, aims to amplify the voice of the person you are speaking with, which could be a less intrusive aid. The wristband also lets you activate Meta AI with a gesture, avoiding the need to say Hey Meta in public. Furthermore, the display finally solves a long-standing issue with camera glasses. You can now see a preview of your photo and review it after taking it, instead of just guessing the framing. After a brief hands-on session, these glasses genuinely feel like the starting point for the smart glasses technology many have been anticipating. They blend useful functionality with a discreet, wearable design. The Meta Ray-Ban Display is set to go on sale in the United States on September 30. They will only be available in physical retail stores, including a limited number of Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban, and Sunglass Hut locations. You can check availability and schedule a demo on Meta’s website.
