Meta announced its first smart glasses in a partnership with Oakley, marking a new step in its ambition to lead the wearable high-tech space.
The limited edition Oakley Meta HSTN model announced by Meta debuted at $499 with a wider release later this summer for the Oaklevel brand model starting at $399.
The glasses are equipped with a positive 3K camera, an upgrade from the 1080p resolution found on Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, and have a battery life of up to 8 hours.
The companion charging case can provide an additional 48 hours of power. According to Meta, the glasses are tailored to an active lifestyle, backed by IPX4's water resistance assessment and sports-focused Oakley frame design.
Like Meta's previous smart glasses, the Oakley HSTN includes open-ear speakers, built-in microphones, and integration with Meta AI.
Glasses also offer translation features, allowing the wearer to answer queries based on what they are looking at. It blends AI with everyday functions.
Meta is different from the Ray-Ban series, which has entered the Oakley Line into the performance and track and field categories and focused more on lifestyle.
To further demonstrate its focus on track and field, Meta has recruited French football star Killian Mbappe as part of its launch campaign.
Five color and lens combinations are available, including prescription compatibility options.
Available for pre-orders starting July 11th, the premium model features gold detailing and Oakley signature prism lenses.
The launch follows Meta's expansion partnership with Essilorluxottica, the parent company of both Ray-Ban and Oakley.
Over 2 million Metaray-Ban smart glasses have been sold so far, and companies are currently aiming to reach 10 million smart glasses annually by 2026.
Meta is currently leading the market, but competition is growing. Google is introducing XR glasses with built-in displays, and it is widely believed that Apple is developing similar wearable technologies. Still, Meta hopes to stay ahead by embedding AI into everyday experiences.
“This is the first step into the performance category,” said Alex Himmel, Meta's head of wearables. “There's something more to come.”
