Meta has officially unveiled its first pair of AI-powered glasses without a built-in camera, a product that had been anticipated through earlier leaks and reports. The company made the announcement at its Connect 2026 conference, introducing the device under the name Ray-Ban Meta Audio. The glasses are designed exclusively around audio functionality, allowing wearers to stream music and podcasts, make and receive phone calls, translate spoken language in real time, and interact with Meta's updated AI assistant, known as Muse.

The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses are the result of Meta's ongoing hardware collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the optical giant behind the Ray-Ban brand. Pricing starts at $349, positioning the product within the same general range as other premium smart glasses currently on the market.

A Direct Response to Privacy Concerns

The decision to release a camera-free model is widely seen as a response to growing criticism directed at Meta's existing AI glasses lineup. Previous versions of the product, which include cameras capable of recording video, attracted significant controversy after it emerged that some users - often men - were using the devices to record other people without their knowledge or consent. The backlash was severe enough that the glasses earned unflattering nicknames in public discourse, with some critics labeling them "pervert glasses."

Meta had previously attempted to address the issue by pushing a software update that would disable the camera if the LED recording indicator light was physically tampered with. While that measure was intended to reassure the public, it did little to fully resolve concerns about the potential for covert surveillance. The introduction of a camera-free model represents a more definitive approach to the problem - by removing the camera entirely, the privacy risk is eliminated at the hardware level.

The audio-only design also positions the Ray-Ban Meta Audio as a competitive alternative to earbuds and other voice-assistant-enabled audio accessories, including Apple's AirPods, which support Siri integration. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg addressed this angle directly during his keynote address at the conference.

"Once you get used to high quality audio, it's just a thing that you want all the time, right?" Zuckerberg said, noting that as the company explored the concept, it recognized an opportunity to establish an entirely new category of glasses built around audio as the primary function.

Design and Hardware Specifications

Because the Ray-Ban Meta Audio does not need to accommodate camera hardware, the frame is noticeably slimmer than Meta's other glasses models. The device weighs just 43 grams, making it lighter and more comfortable for extended daily wear. Meta has also included a number of practical design features, including adjustable temple tips, swappable nose pads, and overextension hinges to improve durability and fit.

Battery life is rated at up to 12 hours on a single charge. When paired with the included charging case, total battery capacity extends to approximately 48 hours of use before requiring a wall charge - a figure that would make it viable for multi-day trips without access to a power outlet.

The glasses will be offered in an extensive range of configurations, with 23 different color and lens combinations available at launch. Two new frame styles are also being introduced alongside the product. The first is a retro-inspired design called "Clubmaster," based on the classic Ray-Ban silhouette of the same name. The second, called "Burbank," is described as a more understated, rectangular shape suited to everyday wear. As with other glasses in Meta's lineup, customers will be able to order the Ray-Ban Meta Audio with their own optical prescription if needed.

Preorders for the glasses are set to open on October 13, according to the company.

Next-Generation Camera Glasses Also Announced

Alongside the audio-only model, Meta also took the opportunity to announce the third generation of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses - the versions that do include cameras. The updated lineup will continue to offer the classic Wayfarer frame, but will also expand to include two new styles: the Aviator and the Zena, the latter featuring a cat-eye frame shape aimed at broadening the product's appeal to a wider audience.

The Gen 3 Ray-Ban Meta glasses come with a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording video in 3K Ultra HD resolution. Audio capture is handled by a six-microphone array, and battery life is rated at up to nine hours per charge. The hardware represents a meaningful upgrade over the previous generation in terms of both imaging quality and audio performance.

Expanded Partnerships and Global Rollout

Meta also announced that the broader EssilorLuxottica collaboration will see an expanded range of styles and color options across the lineup. On the marketing side, the company revealed a new brand partnership with international pop star Lisa, a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK. The partnership follows a similar arrangement Meta previously established with media personality Kylie Jenner. Meta also confirmed that its AI glasses will be made available in additional countries as part of an ongoing global expansion effort.

All models across Meta's AI glasses range will include access to Muse, the company's latest personal AI assistant, which replaces earlier versions of the platform's integrated AI functionality.

Upcoming Features and Software Updates

Beyond the hardware announcements, Meta offered a preview of several software and feature updates coming to its glasses in the near future. The list includes support for Dolby Atmos Capture, which is intended to improve spatial audio recording quality. A new computational photography feature will automatically select the best image from a burst of multiple frames, reducing the chance of a blurry or poorly timed shot. Users will also gain the ability to choose between landscape and portrait shooting orientations.

Accessibility improvements are also on the roadmap, with Meta planning to introduce hearing enhancement capabilities designed to assist users with hearing loss. Additional updates include more detailed and contextually aware AI responses, multiple audio mode options, and customizable hardware controls to give users more flexibility over how they interact with the device.

One of the more notable additions previewed by the company is a feature Meta is calling "private processing." According to Meta, this capability is designed to ensure that user data processed through the glasses remains inaccessible to the company itself - a feature that, if implemented as described, could help address some of the lingering data privacy concerns that have surrounded the product line since its inception.