Meta unveils Ray-Ban Meta Audio and expands AI glasses line-up

MUMBAI: Meta is putting a little more tech behind the frames, unveiling its first audio glasses and expanding its AI eyewear range with a bigger mix of styles, lighter designs and longer battery life.

Announced at Meta Connect 2026, the company has introduced Ray-Ban Meta Audio in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, alongside Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) and a wider range of Meta Glasses. Meta said its aim is to offer more than 100 glasses options across Ray-Ban, Oakley and Meta Glasses by the end of the year.

The new range builds on Meta’s push to make AI glasses useful beyond the novelty of hands-free technology. The glasses can provide sports scores, local restaurant recommendations and live conversation translation, while integration with Meta’s Muse personal AI agent is intended to help users with tasks such as managing calendars and building healthy habits.

Ray-Ban Meta Audio is the headline addition. Weighing 43 grams, the glasses combine audio, calls and AI assistance in what Meta describes as its lightest and slimmest AI glasses yet. They feature professionally adjustable temple tips, adjustable or swappable nose pads and overextension hinges for a more customisable fit.

The glasses offer up to 12 hours of listening, calls and AI assistance on a single charge, with the included charging case providing up to another 48 hours.

Ray-Ban Meta Audio comes in 23 colour and lens combinations across two styles — the retro-inspired Clubmaster and rectangular Burbank. Both are compatible with a range of optical prescriptions.

The glasses will ship from October 13 and are available to pre-order from $349.

Meta is also introducing Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), the next generation of its AI glasses. The new version offers up to nine hours of battery life, one hour more than Gen 2, alongside a customisable action button for quick access to Meta AI.

Gen 3 comes in 27 colour and lens combinations, including Black, Havana and selected seasonal colours. The range adds two new styles, Zena and Aviator, alongside the Wayfarer.

The Aviator brings the familiar frame into Meta’s AI glasses line, while Zena introduces a cat-eye design. The Wayfarer remains part of the collection and is also available in a larger size.

Audio and calls are getting an upgrade too. A new six-microphone array is designed to reduce more than 90 per cent of background noise, helping voice commands and calls remain clearer in crowded or windy environments.

For capturing content, Gen 3 features a 12MP camera and 3K Ultra HD video. Meta is also introducing dynamic photos, allowing users to select the best frame from captured moments.

The glasses retain a built-in LED designed to alert people nearby when photos or videos are being recorded. Later this year, Meta said its AI glasses will also become the first consumer devices capable of capturing and experiencing video in Dolby Atmos, including 360-degree spatial sound.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) is available from $449.

To mark the 90th anniversary of the Ray-Ban Aviator, Meta is also launching a limited-edition Aviator in Milky Beige with brown Transitions lenses. It will start at $579 and be available for a limited time through selected Ray-Ban and Meta channels.

Meta’s broader glasses line is getting more room to grow as well. The company is adding Capri and Nova styles to Meta Glasses, while expanding availability to more markets.

The Meta Glasses by Kylie Jenner collection is getting an Ivory colourway based on her Starfire style, with prices starting at $399.

Meta is also launching Meta Glasses by LISA, created with international performer LISA. The collection includes the Meta Adventurer LISA Edition with a Moonlit Sky frame and Blush lenses, and the Meta Capri LISA Edition with an Eclipse cat-eye frame and grey lenses. Both support prescription lenses and start at $399.

The LISA editions also come with customised details including a star on the case and temple tips, case charms inspired by her pets and digital photocards that unlock with the glasses.

At the more accessible end, Meta is introducing the Meta Adventurer with a black frame, grey lenses and a plug-in case, starting at $249. It is available for pre-order on Meta.com and goes on sale from October 23 in countries where Meta Glasses are sold.

The company is also introducing the limited-edition Meta Fury, featuring a clear frame and mirrored lenses, exclusively at Connect and Meta Lab stores at launch.

Personalisation is expanding through Meta’s Mix & Match programme, allowing customers to combine frames, lenses and case colours either online or at Meta Lab stores.

Meta Glasses are also expanding geographically. They are available from September 24 in Singapore, South Korea, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, with Brazil listed as an upcoming market.

Meanwhile, new markets are planned later this year for Oakley Meta, Ray-Ban Meta and Ray-Ban Meta Optics, including Turkey, Poland, Portugal, Israel, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Malaysia, Macau and the Philippines.

Meta is also adding new limited-time colours to Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Optics, including Shiny Brick Brown and Shiny Transparent Ocean Blue for Blayzer Optics, alongside Transparent Dark Olive for Scriber Optics.

From September 24, customers in Canada can also order Ray-Ban Meta, Ray-Ban Meta Optics, Oakley Meta and Meta Glasses with prescription lenses through Meta.com.

The expanding line-up reflects Meta’s broader bet that AI glasses can become an everyday computing accessory rather than simply another gadget. With more than 100 options planned across its brands, the company is putting equal emphasis on what sits inside the frame and how the frame looks on the face.