Meta Launches Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses With Built-In Screen and Neural Wristband Controller

Meta has officially stepped up its wearable tech game, introducing the Ray-Ban Display smart glasses at its annual Meta Connect 2025 conference. Unveiled on Wednesday by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the glasses blend iconic Ray-Ban style with a built-in display on the right lens for apps, alerts, navigation, and more. They’re paired with a futuristic wristband, called the Meta Neural Band, which detects subtle hand movements to control the glasses—pushing the limits of hands-free interaction.

Unlike last year’s Orion prototype, this isn’t just a demo. Zuckerberg confirmed that the Meta Ray-Ban Display will be available for consumers to purchase starting September 30 at a retail price of $799. This move signals Meta’s most serious push yet to create a mass-market smart glasses product that does much of what your smartphone can—only from your face.

Meta is building on the success of its original Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have sold millions in partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. The new model packs an on-board AI assistant, plus cameras, microphones, and speakers for a seamless connection to the cloud. Users can display Meta apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook, view turn-by-turn directions, and even access live translations through the glasses’ embedded display.

The bundled Meta Neural Band looks a bit like a minimalist Fitbit, but without a screen. Instead, it uses electromyography (EMG) to read electrical signals between your brain and your hand, translating tiny gestures into precise controls for the glasses. With 18 hours of battery life and water resistance, Meta believes this new interface could reshape how we interact with devices—no taps or swipes needed.

Though less advanced than last year’s Orion AR demo, Meta hopes the Ray-Ban Display gives it a first-mover advantage in the smart glasses race. Competitors like Google and Apple are widely expected to release their own glasses, potentially with deeper operating system integration. For now, Meta is betting that style, convenience, and a truly hands-free experience will entice consumers and help it carve out a new market in wearable AI devices.

source: techcrunch