Meta has officially introduced its first in-house AI smart glasses, marking a major step in the company's wearable technology strategy as it intensifies competition in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence market. Priced from $299, the new Meta Glasses are more affordable than the company's Ray-Ban smart glasses, making AI-powered wearables accessible to a wider audience.
The launch highlights Meta's ambition to expand its AI ecosystem and strengthen its position against rivals including Google, Samsung, and OpenAI, all of whom are investing heavily in AI-powered hardware.
Meta Launches More Affordable AI Glasses
The newly announced Meta Glasses start at $299, significantly undercutting the latest Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which begin at $379.
According to Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, offering products at different price points is an important strategy for expanding adoption.
"We want to reach consumers across multiple segments. Design, style, and affordability all play a key role in making AI glasses more accessible," Bosworth said during a media briefing.
Unlike previous models developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands, the latest Meta Glasses feature frames designed by Meta itself while continuing to use EssilorLuxottica's expertise for optical lenses.
Three New Styles for Different Users
Meta has introduced the AI glasses in three distinct frame designs:
- Adventurer – A compact and lightweight frame.
- Fury – A larger, rounded design.
- Meta Glasses by Kylie – A premium oval-shaped edition designed in collaboration with Kylie Jenner, featuring exclusive design elements and personalized AI voice options.
The Kylie edition also includes a unique startup chime and offers users an AI-generated voice modeled after Jenner's own voice.
AI Features Powered by Muse Spark
The new Meta Glasses debut with Muse Spark, Meta's latest AI model designed to improve visual understanding and personalized assistance.
Using built-in cameras and artificial intelligence, the glasses can:
- Translate text in multiple languages in real time.
- Answer questions about nearby surroundings.
- Recommend restaurants, museums, and attractions.
- Estimate calorie counts for food.
- Play music and respond to voice commands.
- Remember user preferences for more personalized interactions.
Existing Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley smart glasses will also receive Muse Spark through a future software update.
Smarter AI, But Familiar Experience
During product demonstrations, the glasses successfully translated Arabic signs into English, identified nearby attractions, estimated calories in food, and even recognized decorative objects that appeared realistic.
While these AI capabilities represent meaningful improvements, many of the features build upon functions already available in Meta's earlier smart glasses. Industry experts believe convincing mainstream consumers to replace or complement smartphones with AI wearables remains a significant challenge.
Privacy Remains a Key Concern
As smart glasses become more popular, privacy continues to be one of the biggest concerns surrounding wearable technology.
Earlier reports highlighted incidents where users recorded videos of strangers without consent using smart glasses. To address these concerns, Meta says every pair includes an LED recording indicator that clearly signals when the camera is active.
Bosworth acknowledged that preventing misuse remains an ongoing challenge.
"It is a constant effort to stay ahead of bad actors. We continue improving our technology so bystanders can easily identify when recording is taking place," he said.
Smart Glasses Market Continues to Grow
Despite ongoing privacy debates, the smart glasses market is expanding rapidly.
According to market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), global smart glasses shipments increased 167% during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
IDC also estimates that Meta currently controls approximately 69.2% of the global smart glasses market, making it the industry's dominant player.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently revealed that daily usage of Meta smart glasses has tripled over the past year, reflecting growing consumer interest in AI-powered wearables.
Competition from Google, Samsung and OpenAI
Meta's leadership position may soon face tougher competition.
Google and Samsung are jointly developing their own AI-powered smart glasses expected to launch later this year, while OpenAI is also working on its own AI hardware product.
Meanwhile, AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini continue to enjoy higher consumer adoption than Meta AI. According to Pew Research, around 44% of American adults use ChatGPT, compared to 24% using Gemini and 14% using Meta AI.
Industry analysts believe Google's ecosystem—including Gmail, Google Photos, Search, and Calendar—provides a major competitive advantage in delivering personalized AI experiences through wearable devices.
Meta's Long-Term AI Hardware Vision
The launch of Meta Glasses reflects the company's broader strategy to establish AI-powered wearables as the next major computing platform beyond smartphones.
Meta believes conversational AI integrated into wearable devices can significantly boost adoption of its AI assistant while creating new opportunities for hands-free digital experiences.
Bosworth also hinted that Meta is already exploring additional AI hardware products for users who may not want to wear glasses, suggesting that smart eyewear is only the beginning of the company's long-term wearable technology roadmap.