Ray-Ban’s partnership with Meta keeps getting smarter — literally. The latest Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses aren’t just about looking cool — they’re packing upgraded tech, including the Meta glasses v12 update, faster performance, and surprisingly solid battery life. But do these smart Wayfarers live up to the hype, or are they just another overpriced gadget?
After five months of daily use, I’m ready to share what I’ve learned about the trendiest AI glasses to hit the market since Google Glass (anyone remember that?).
Let’s break it down.
Classic look, smarter functionality
First off, these are real Wayfarers. They’re not awkward, thick, clunky, or any of the other negative adjectives. They’re normal Wayfarers.
If you’ve ever hesitated to wear smart glasses because they looked like something out of a bad sci-fi movie, rest easy — you will not look like Max Headroom.
PRO TIP: If you spring for the matte black version, keep its cleaning cloth handy. They get a bit shiny with use, but it cleans right off. Most glasses cleaning wipes work well, but don’t try to clean them with isopropyl from your cabinet or you might polish the finish.
How is the AI?
Beyond aesthetics, the AI upgrade in the latest Meta glasses update, version 12, is a real standout. That said, it’s important to understand that this is not a massive frontier model, as data and space restrictions affect what they can offer in such a compact device.
As far as which Meta Llama model powers Meta AI on the glasses, the company has remained very tight-lipped beyond it being a custom Llama 3 model. Knowing that, I can confirm I’ve found it to be increasingly capable as updates have arrived, and it handles many minor tasks throughout my day quite well.
With version 12, released on Jan. 16, the AI is noticeably faster, smoother, and far more intuitive. You can actually hold a back-and-forth conversation with it now, making it a genuinely useful assistant. It still, on occasion, reminds me when it “can’t do that on your glasses.”
Probably the most practical example I can share is how I recently used it to sort out an issue with my garage door. My wife called one morning to say the door wouldn’t lower when she left, so I went down to check it out. I asked the AI glasses to look at my garage door open and give me some specific suggestions to my model as to why the door wouldn’t go down.
From start to finish, the door was working in 90 seconds.
Meta has also added several new features over the last five months. For example, you can set timers and reminders just by talking to your glasses. I use this no less than 18,613 times every day.
How is the Ray-Ban Meta camera?
The photo and video quality remains excellent, even when you’re on the move. Whether you’re out for a walk or chasing some toddlers around the zoo, I’ve been quite impressed overall. The image stabilization is far better than I expected, and it has even taken acceptably good video while running across the yard.
Just be aware that it has what I have dubbed the creep light. Anytime you take a photo or shoot a video, a light comes on the front. It can not be disabled (or covered), so if you see someone wearing them, you’ll know if you’re being recorded.
How do firmware updates happen?
Much like a Tesla, these glasses get regular firmware updates, meaning they improve over time. You might wake up one morning to find they’ve learned a new trick.
Updates don’t happen over the air, so they will need to be in the charging case.
PRO TIP: Check your Meta View app regularly for updates. This ensures that new software will arrive on your glasses as quickly as possible.
The charger case looks like a typical Ray-Ban Wayfarer case, but it’s more rigid. It has a charger port on the bottom and an indicator light to notify me when it’s charging or complete. Overall, it’s given me zero issues.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses – Wayfarer Style (Renewed): $239–$263 on Amazon
How is battery life?
Battery life for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses is better than expected. While it won’t last all day with heavy AI, music, or camera use, the fast charging makes up for it. A 15-minute charge gives you hours of extra juice; a full charge takes under an hour. For most people, a midday top-up is all that’s needed.
I use mine throughout the day to listen to a video in the background, some music, or even a book on Audible. While there is definitely a battery drain from listening, it’s far less noticeable than with camera/video use. Expect significant battery loss if you’re addicted to snapping photos of everything you pass in your day.
The AI’s practical applications also deserve a shoutout. It’s helped me figure out baking times for a potato, assisted with garage door repairs, and even summarized a book I picked up at Barnes & Noble. The standard features add everyday utility, such as hands-free reminders, music streaming (Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music), and integration with Shazam and Calm.
The open-ear audio is another pleasant surprise. While heavy bass tracks can get muddy, podcasts, audiobooks, and videos sound crisp. If you’re a spoken-word content addict, these glasses might be your new best friend.
The trade-offs: Not quite perfect
Of course, no gadget is flawless.
The factory Transitions lenses struggle a bit in certain conditions, as do most transitions lenses. They don’t darken inside a car since windows often block UV light and can produce glare under bright lighting — a potential annoyance if you’re frequently on camera.
Battery life, while improved, still isn’t all-day ready for heavy users. If you’re maxing out AI, music, and video recording, expect to charge at some point. That said, Meta has noticeably optimized battery performance over the last few updates, making it less of a deal-breaker than before.
One minor friction point: transferring photos and videos to your phone. While they now auto-import when docked in the charging case, there’s still no on-the-fly transfer option. This is likely a battery-saving measure, but it’s worth noting if you were hoping for instant social media uploads.
Final verdict: Are they worth it?
Yes, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses are worth the price tag. After five months of daily use, I’m still hooked. I even installed my prescription lenses, and they’re now my all-day, everyday pair.
So, who should buy these? If you love the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer style but want tech-infused functionality, these are absolutely worth considering — especially if you wear prescription lenses and don’t want to sacrifice smarts for vision correction.
PRO TIP: If you have vision insurance, most plans will cover a portion of the cost, which is why I now own a second pair.
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses version 12 update makes a tangible difference, and with Meta continuously improving these glasses, they’re likely to get even better over time. Considering a standard pair of Wayfarers already runs $200, the added tech feels like a justifiable upgrade rather than a splurge.
Would I recommend them? Absolutely. Just keep the bass and heavy metal relegated to your normal earbuds.
Try One Out for Yourself: Buy Ray-Ban Meta Glasses on Amazon for $379
Cover photo by Next Reality; other images via Meta
