Products

Meta is putting virtual reality into a pair of glasses and AI into Ray-Bans

At Connect 2026, Meta wowed everyone with its new Meta VR Glasses and showcased its ambitions in the field of wearable devices

by Giancarlo Calzetta

24 September 2026

Aggiungi Il Sole 24 Ore
ai preferiti su Google

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

At Connect 2026, Meta took everyone by surprise with the new Meta VR Glasses and showcased its ambitions in the field of wearable devices – which, in fact, offer a glimpse into the next, more personalised way of using AI. We’ll no longer have to take it out of our pocket; it’ll be right at our fingertips, on the bridge of our glasses.

But let’s start with the most appealing device for tech enthusiasts. At last, VR fits into a pair of glasses. The new Meta VR Glasses, due out in spring 2027 at $1,299.99, do away with the clunky headset design and adopt a design that looks much more like a pair of large glasses (ugly, but better than a headset).

L’AI non è la fine del mondo

They weigh around 100 grams – five times less than the Quest 3 – have no head straps and leave the sides open, whilst the passthrough cameras allow you to continue seeing your surroundings. You still can’t drive a car whilst wearing them (because if they switch off, things wouldn’t end well), but it’s a decisive leap forward made possible by a significant compromise – though less so than you might think: the processor, battery and memory aren’t housed in the glasses themselves but in a small external unit, connected via fibre optics to handle the enormous amount of data travelling between the two devices, and which can be clipped onto a pocket or bag. The display and sensors remain on the frame.

The system uses two micro-OLED panels with a combined 5K resolution and a pixel density of 37 pixels per degree, pancake lenses, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos spatial audio (good) integrated into the temples. The processor is Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Reality Elite, whilst the external battery is rated for up to three hours of high-resolution video playback and supports 45-watt fast charging, much like the current Meta Quest 3.

Cinema, computers and consoles in a single device

Meta’s big gamble is to present its VR glasses not merely as a gaming device, but as a personal, wearable screen that can serve as a cinema, a workstation and a games console. This is why the move to a more affordable format, replacing the old, bulky headset, is essential – as is doing away with the need for controllers. Controllers will still be available to buy (and compatible with those for the Quest 3), but the interface is now designed to work differently. You select icons with your gaze, click and scroll through menus with thumb movements, and use voice commands. The workspace option is particularly interesting: you create extra virtual screens for your PC, position them wherever you like, and switch nimbly from one to another. These are all things you can do with the Quest as well, but once again, the compact, glasses-style design makes all the difference.

There is full compatibility with the existing Quest catalogue, and over 75 games playable using only your hands will be available at launch. Xbox Cloud Gaming, on the other hand, will allow you to play via streaming by connecting a standard Bluetooth gamepad. Titles designed to take advantage of the new hand-tracking technology will include Dragon Grove in spring 2027, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies VR and Tetris Effect: Mixed Realities later in 2027. Beat Saber will also receive a major update in spring 2027 that will allow players to play entirely without a controller and will introduce Flux mode, in which your hands become an integral part of the gameplay. Also of interest is the Hologram feature for video calls: the system creates a photorealistic digital version of the user, reproducing their expressions and reactions in real time. Those wearing the headset see the other person in the space in front of them, whilst those joining via a smartphone or PC see the avatar on their normal screen. The technology is also planned for apps such as WhatsApp and Zoom.

TV series might not be the same either

Immersive video was one of the Quest’s great promises – one that was never fully delivered on – but here too there is a milestone that will hopefully change things. On 29 September, ‘Open Season’, the first original series from Meta Presents, makes its debut on Quest. The plot is not part of the canon, as it centres on NBA star Draymond Green during a series of sessions with sports psychologist Carrie Hastings during the 2025–2026 season, but it was filmed entirely in 180-degree stereoscopic VR video, placing the viewer virtually in the room alongside the protagonists. We know this is a challenging approach to get right, but the decision to go with 180° could be more manageable than 360°. Furthermore, for the new VR Glasses, Meta is also preparing 3D and VR-enhanced cinematic content, immersive 8K sport, and collaborations with Disney, IMAX, ESPN and other streaming services. The first Disney+ content in 3D will arrive in November 2026, whilst immersive versions of films such as *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Star Wars: A New Hope* are planned for the launch of the glasses in spring 2027. Does it all sound brilliant? Not quite. The field of view of the Meta VR Glasses is ‘only’ 70°, which means a significantly less immersive experience compared to the Quest 3’s 100°, but the designers insist they couldn’t have done any more to maintain a glasses-style design that’s comfortable and pleasant to wear. Furthermore, the price is really high. There’s a huge amount of technology packed in, and the inevitable consequence of the sky-high prices we’ve seen in recent months, but people have to consider their budgets, and such a high price tag could significantly limit its appeal. On the other hand, the decision to include a USB port in the box, to which you can connect a power bank to extend session duration, is a very positive feature.

The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio focus on music and AI

The other half of Meta’s strategy centres on much more traditional glasses. The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio, available from 13 October 2026 from 349 euros, do away with the camera and focus their electronics on audio and artificial intelligence. They weigh 43 grams and serve as an alternative to open-ear earphones: they allow you to listen to music and podcasts, make phone calls and speak to the AI assistant without being acoustically isolated from your surroundings. The claimed battery life is up to 12 hours (though this is based on ‘typical use’, so heavy users may use up the battery sooner), with up to a further 48 hours provided by the charging case. They are available in the Clubmaster and Burbank models, with 23 colour and lens combinations and compatibility with a wide range of prescription lenses.

Meta is also working on integrating Muse, its personal AI assistant. Using the glasses, users will be able to ask it, for example, to look up the price of a flight, book an appointment, log meals, provide guidance for a workout, or search for and purchase a product they have seen during the day. Some tasks will be able to run in the background, with the assistant contacting the user once the task is complete.

The third-generation Ray-Ban Meta are also on their way

For those who also want a camera, there are the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, available from 23 September 2026, starting at 449 euros. The new generation features a slimmer design, up to nine hours’ battery life, six microphones and a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 3K Ultra HD video. A new configurable button also allows you to access Meta AI directly. Available frames include Wayfarer, Aviator and the new Zena model.

At the same time, Meta is expanding its range of glasses with new models and price points. The Adventurer, for example, will be launched on 23 October 2026, whilst by the end of the year the company plans to offer a total of more than one hundred combinations across Ray-Ban, Oakley and Meta Glasses.

Finally, the rollout of Meta Ray-Ban Displays – glasses featuring a screen in the lens – is also expanding. In Italia, pre-orders will begin gradually from 23 September, with the product available from 13 October 2026 at a price of 899 euros. Software updates will add more advanced navigation, smartphone notifications, calendar management, photo editing directly on the display and, initially in the US, a Hologram feature for video calls.

The collections by LISA and Kylie Jenner

Meta also continues to use fashion and celebrities to broaden the audience for its smart glasses. The new Meta Glasses by LISA collection comprises two models: the Adventurer LISA Edition, featuring a Moonlit Sky frame and Blush lenses, and the Capri LISA Edition, featuring an Eclipse cat-eye frame and grey lenses. Both models support prescription lenses and feature personalised details, ranging from the case to elements inspired by the singer’s animal motifs, right through to digital photocards that can be unlocked using the glasses. The collaboration with Kylie Jenner has also been refreshed, with a new Ivory version of the Starfire model.