Hajra Naz
Meta officially unveiled its first pair of camera-free smart glasses during the Connect 2026 conference on Wednesday. These new devices carry the title Ray-Ban Meta Audio. The company built this product line to address privacy concerns linked to camera-equipped eyewear.
Critics previously gave those older models derogatory labels due to filming risks. The new design focuses strictly on sound. Users can stream music, listen to podcasts, take phone calls, access real-time translation, and interact with the Muse assistant.
Meta developed the hardware alongside its long-term partner EssilorLuxottica. Pricing for the base models will begin at $349.
Meta currently sells various smart glasses featuring different frames and capabilities. However, a camera-free option may help repair public perception. Critics frequently highlighted cases where individuals recorded people without clear consent. Meta previously issued a software update that disabled recording if anyone covered the notification LED. Despite that fix, privacy concerns persisted among the public.
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This new audio-focused format could attract a broader audience. It also positions Meta to compete directly with products like Apple AirPods.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted this direction during his keynote presentation. He noted that users quickly adapt to high-quality ambient sound. He explained that Meta realized it could build an entire product category centered on audio hardware.
Removing the camera modules allowed engineers to reduce the overall frame size. The glasses weigh 43 grams. Meta integrated adjustable temple tips, swappable nose pads, and flexible hinges. The internal battery lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge. The bundled charging case extends total operational time to 48 hours.
The company plans to release 23 different color and lens combinations. Buyers can select from two primary frame designs. These include the vintage-styled Clubmaster and the rectangular Burbank frame. Customers can also order these frames with custom prescription lenses.
alongside the audio line, Meta introduced its third-generation camera glasses, titled Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3). This lineup includes the standard Wayfarer alongside two new frame options called Aviator and Zena. The Zena design features a cat-eye aesthetic. These models include a 12-megapixel camera capable of capturing 3K Ultra HD video. They also feature a six-microphone array and supply up to nine hours of battery life.
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Meta and EssilorLuxottica plan to expand overall frame varieties and launch in additional international markets. The brand also announced a promotional partnership with the musician Lisa, following a prior marketing campaign with Kylie Jenner.
Every model in Meta’s wearable lineup will integrate directly with the Muse AI platform.
Meta also teased several incoming software features. Future updates will introduce Dolby Atmos Capture and an automated system that selects the clearest photo from image bursts. Users will also gain options for landscape or portrait capture, listening aids for individuals with hearing loss, granular audio settings, custom button controls, and a privacy feature called “private processing” designed to shield user data from Meta.
