Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: A Surprise Hit
The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses have been a surprise hit among tech products over the last year. Currently, Amazon is offering the classic black frames for $239, which is 20% off the $299 retail price. This deal is particularly noteworthy as many styles of Meta Ray-Bans were often out of stock for much of last year and have rarely been discounted.
Key Features and Benefits
One of the key appeals of these smart glasses is their resemblance to normal Ray-Bans, with the added benefit of being able to replace the lenses with your own prescription. The Meta Ray-Bans are audio-only augmented reality glasses, featuring speakers that provide clear sound quality, comparable to AirPods. They also come equipped with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera for capturing photos and videos, albeit only in portrait mode.

The glasses also feature a built-in AI assistant, accessible by saying “Hey Meta,” which utilizes Meta’s large language models. The battery life is about half a day with moderate use, but it can be quickly charged to 50% in 20 minutes using the included case. Additionally, Meta regularly releases software updates, adding new functionalities such as real-time translation and visual search capabilities.
Privacy Considerations
For those concerned about privacy, the Meta Ray-Bans do not require a Facebook account, and a separate Meta account can be created. This separation is a positive aspect from a privacy perspective.
Conclusion
While the AirPods Pro 2 are also available at a discounted price, the Meta Ray-Bans offer additional features such as a camera and AI assistant, making them a compelling choice for those looking to experience the future of smart glasses. The current deal on Amazon is a rare opportunity to purchase these innovative glasses at a discounted price.
ZDNET’s rating system gives this deal a 4/5 Editor’s deal rating, considering the 20% savings and the rarity of discounts on these glasses.