Verdict
The Ray - Ban Meta Glasses remain a corner in the tech domain , but if you ’re after a fresh twosome of dark glasses that can take photo and video , render decent audio playback and render ready to hand AI capability , they continue one of the best pick available right now .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
contrive as a follow - up to theRay - Ban Stories , the camera - equipped chic glasses boast a kitchen range of improvements from an kick upstairs 12MP tv camera to louder , more bassy audio end product , newfangled smart features and , significantly , a much more well-heeled blueprint .
Though they ’re a far cry from the AR glasses of tomorrow , there ’s still a mass to like about the £ 299/$299 Ray - Ban Meta Glasses , whether you ’re a fashion - witting subject creator or someone who simply wants to go the ultimate James Bond spy tech dream .
Design
As a product of a collaborationism with fashionable glasses maker Ray - Ban , it should come as no surprisal that the new Ray - Ban Meta Glasses arrive in the brand ’s key signature bighearted - lens of the eye Wayfarer vogue . But what is young to this year ’s collecting – and Ray - Ban in general – is the Headliner trend , with a more rounded shape and high - hinge design .
irrespective of the cultivation you get , you ’ll find all the stapes of Ray - Ban design , including the signature logo on the arms of the soma and the lenses themselves . There ’s also a Modern Wayfarer Large size this time around to help admit more head sizes than its relatively minute predecessor .
There ’s a newfangled fashionable semi - limpid finish that shows off the techy internals of the glasses , available in both Caramel and Jeans finishes , along with the signature Revel Black colourway in both shiny and lustrelessness last . Combined with a reach of lens of the eye options – including conversion lenses – available via the Ray - Ban Remix online storefront , there are over 150 potential combination .
The first thing I noticed when donning the new specs was just how much more well-off they are compare to the Ray - Ban Stories , which I found would nobble the head , particularly behind the ear , with very fiddling give in the arms . For context , I opted for the newfangled Wayfarer Large finish .
The skeletal system is much less rigid this time , with enough give to supply for more head sizes and slowly mould to the shape of your head teacher as veritable shades do . There is less insistency on the bridge of my nozzle compare to the first - gen eyeglasses too , with a more balanced weight dispersion .
In fact , I ’ve worn them for 6 + hour on more than one affair with nary a complaint about comfort , and that ’s middling rare for smart glasses , which are notoriously bulky and uncomfortable . The arms of the looking glass are still a little stumpy than their non - smart opposite number , but this is n’t that noticeable when worn .
Just as important as ease is lastingness , and with the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses boastingIPX4splash resistance , you do n’t involve to take them off when it embark on raining – although I ’d still avoid completely submerging the frames .
Features
The Ray - Ban Meta Glasses can do much more than snap a quick photo or play some of your favourite tunes . With the five built - in mics , up from three in its harbinger , you’re able to make and have call using the glasses , with decent screen background noise reduction that allowed the recipient of several calls to hear me clearly .
Quality only deteriorated when I was on a call on a busybodied main road in London with jalopy , vanguard and auto incessantly driving by , but that ’s a intriguing scenario that even the good earbuds on the market will shinny to cancel out .
Meta has also further modernize its virtual helper compared to the first - gen Stories , reserve for more complex education and good general cognition reply .
By saying ‘ Hey Meta ’ , you may use the assistant to not only take a exposure , but with improved integration with Meta - owned apps like WhatsApp , Facebook , Messenger , Instagram and Threads , you may also share it with specific contacts without first having to spell the image to your phone .
It all works in the background after a quick setup on the redesign Meta View app , useable for both iOS and Android devices . I used it to send quick snaps to my other half via WhatsApp , and I ’ve even made WhatsApp audio call option from the headset without reaching for my telephone .
That tight integrating with Meta services also allows you to use the smart glasses for livestreaming on Instagram and Facebook , with user able to seamlessly switch between the phone camera and POV - style glasses cam with a two-fold - press of the side - mounted button . It ’s a tangible boon for creators , providing hands - free POV action for execution and tutorials .
The built - in practical assistant is still hamstrung by tolerate only Meta apps and not third - party apps like TikTok and Snapchat , but it ’s an interesting insight into the direction Meta wants to take its impudent specs in .
The 32 GB of onboard storage should be enough to capture 8x more photos and videos – around 500 picture and 100 videos – before you hit full store . That ’ll be more than enough for most , and with a prompt sync of the Meta View app for Io and Android , you ’re free to continue snapping aside to your mettle ’s content .
That ’s the idea anyway ; in reality , the app does n’t always influence as smoothly as advertised . There have been multiple occasion in my calendar month of usage where , despite the fact the glasses are connected via Bluetooth , they have n’t been recognised by the app , leaving me unable to import the exposure and videos I ’d just engage .
This was normally remedied by a compounding of effect - close up the app and resume the glasses , but it was frustrating at times . gratefully modest issues like these should hopefully be ironed out somewhat promptly , but if you ’re look to get a pair right now , it ’s certainly worth bearing in mind .
Cameras
The camera within the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses has come across a considerable rise compared to the first - gen smart eyeglasses , up from 4MP to a 12MP lens , but it works similarly with a closet or grasp of the arm - mount button to take a photo or a video severally .
Though the images captured by the Ray - Ban Stories were decent , they blench in comparability to the character of snaps from the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses . Images I captured during a recent head trip to Hawaii were nothing short of sensational – and I ’m not just talking about the scenery .
Such photos were perfectly packed with detail , vivacious colours and impressive dynamic range of mountains , even in shots where the sunshine was intelligibly visible in the sky . There was the casual blur if I take a photo when walk , however , so bear still for a second to snap pictures is unquestionably the way forward with these smart specs .
That performance does n’t needfully translate to low - light environments , with more famed grade of noise and a more or less soft look in piazza , but there ’s only so much you could do with such a lilliputian tv camera sensor .
That said , the lens does boast improved electronic range stabilization to deliver smoother video . That should , in possibility , permit you to immortalise comparatively static television when running or playing football game . I ca n’t bear witness to that , having not cash in one’s chips for a political campaign in the past two age ( yes , I know ! ) , but it was enough to bend a pass along a sea path into a sweeping vista that was pretty shake - devoid .
There are still the occasional moments where videos shudder , but unless you ’re wear them doing extreme sports or something of the like , you do n’t really have much to worry about .
There ’s also a boosted five mike , up from three , to not only return good audio for hand - free calling but 3D - like audio gaining control when recording video recording – a cool feature that you ca n’t easily get from most smartphone setup .
It essentially captures fathom from the mics on the left and right of the drinking glass severally for a cool binaural outcome , meaning sounds you heard from behind your left shoulder in the minute will also amount from behind your odd berm when watching TV back with earpiece . It ’s a neat trick that impart itself well to the form element .
This all culminates in impressive video recording capabilities . As with photos , it ’s much good in smart stipulation than in sorry even surround , but as long as there ’s mickle of ignitor , there ’s very little to complain about .
The stabilisation work as promised most of the time , delivering still , crisp 1080p picture with impressive dynamic compass and plenty of detail from your point of view , adding a more personal touch to the video recording you fascinate .
Privacy is a huge factor when fag a discerning camera on your face , which is why the conduce light is bigger and brighter than its herald to make it obvious to those around you when you ’re record or snapping a photo .
Moreover , a hidden depth sensing element can tell if someone is trying to cover the LED with mag tape , and it wo n’t show or take photo until it ’s slay . That should help alleviate some of that potential awkwardness that those around you might finger when you ’re fag the smart specs .
Audio
Audio performance is another area where the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses excel .
Compared to the Ray - Ban Stories , I found the audio to be not only louder ( Meta claims up to 50 % tatty ) but wide-cut with more notable horizontal surface of basso . It still falls wide of the mark for proper headphone - tier bass carrying out – an experience that candid - auricle verbaliser like these ’ll never duplicate – but as long as you ’re not listen to bass voice - big Dubstep , it does n’t take away too much from the experience .
It ’s undoubtedly fair to middling for passing music listen when walking the street or getting directions from Google Maps , while still being able-bodied to clear hear the environment around you . It also means you could watch TikToks , YouTube videos and anything else in populace without interrupt those around you .
That say , sound escape is less of a trouble this time , with an improved design that minimises how much those around you’re able to learn – particularly compared to likewise price alternative like the Huawei Eyewear 2 that are clearly heard , even at relatively low volumes .
Do n’t get me ill-timed , those around me still heard the telltale whispers of music when listening above the 70 - 80 % scrape , but at more comfortable level ( around the 50 % fall guy ) it was barely audible to those sitting nearby in a quiet berth surroundings .
There ’s also a fresh sensing element within the voguish glass that can find when they ’re wear off and when they ’re taken off to play and pause sound recording output accordingly , and as with its predecessor , you could control volume and playback by tap and swiping the right arm of the glasses .
Battery life
Charging the first - gen Ray - Ban Stories was a bit of a headache with a bulky case and polish off - and - miss connection points , so it ’s great to see the two ship’s company take it more seriously with the newer smart glasses .
First off , the newfangled case is much smaller and lighter than the relatively chunky case of the first - gen smart glasses . It ’s also a whole different fashion , sporting a similar design to that of Ray - Ban ’s regular glasses , perfect with a suntanned leather finish that help sell the premium nature of the specs .
Despite this , the type can hold more charges than its forerunner , with the newer case able to provide eight charges before necessitate a top - up , up from just three recharges . There ’s even an fantabulous light-emitting diode light disguised as a even clitoris that ’ll exchange color depending on how much battery life remains .
The touch channelize on the ice points have also moved from the stems to the bridge of the glasses , which supply a much more secure connection . It also allows for easier joining , as one of the openhanded frustrations with the first - gen glasses was have them into the correct military position for charging .
Both the field glass and case are smarter this time , too . The grammatical case can now block charging the glasses once they reach 100 % , and the glasses mechanically power off after a few minutes of inactiveness .
Meta lay claim six hours of assorted - usage per charge , which is a substantial melioration on the original specs , but that ’s not always going to be the case . One fussy good afternoon , I used the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses to constantly listen to music while taking the occasional photograph and video and only make do to get around 4.5 hours of use before they ran out of charge .
However , on the other oddment of the spectrum , I ’ve had days where I ’ve gone over the six - hour mark while nonchalantly snapping away – it really does bet on how you ’re using the glasses .
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Should you buy it?
From the quality of the audio recording to the exposure postulate and even the style , the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses are top - notch .
While these specs are sure as shooting sassy , they do n’t let in small displays to watch moving-picture show .
Final Thoughts
The Ray - Ban Meta Glasses may not be the AR - equipped specs of tomorrow , but they offer a alone way to appropriate valued consequence from your POV without need to make without a smartphone – and with telling detail and clearness , even in take exception daylight scenario .
The audio frequency and five built - in mics further encourage the experience with the ability to heed to medicine and even take call , and with improvement to Meta ’s onboard AI , you could do much more without touching either your phone or the eyeglasses .
There ’s also the fact that these are stylish Ray - Ban specification available in both the iconic Wayfarer finish and a young Headliner finish , making them an instant style gain compared to other techy specs .
sure as shooting , they ’re a niche product , but in a ocean of half - assed sassy glasses , the Ray - Ban Meta Glasses stand out as one of the few truly premium options that largely delivers on its hope .
Trusted Score
How we test
When testing a pair of sassy glasses , we thoroughly test all the uncommitted lineament , be that sound , camera tech or even smart exhibit , value various vista like performance , battery life history and comforter .
FAQs
With IPX4 water resistance , they ’ll survive a stretch in the rain , but you might want to be thrifty if you go to the beach .
Absolutely – you’re able to add up a ethical drug and other options when customize the glasses on the Ray - Ban website .
