Meta unveils camera-free AI glasses focused on audio
At its Connect 2026 conference, Meta introduced camera-free AI glasses called Ray-Ban Meta Audio, aimed at addressing privacy criticism aimed at its earlier camera-equipped models. The glasses go up for preorder on October 13, starting at $349.
Meta officially unveiled its first camera-free AI glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, during its Connect 2026 conference on Wednesday. The new device is designed to counter criticism directed at Meta's earlier AI glasses, which some critics nicknamed "pervert glasses" over concerns about covert filming without subjects' consent.
The audio-only glasses let users listen to music and podcasts, take calls, translate speech, and interact with Meta's AI assistant, Muse, but they contain no camera. They were designed with Meta's hardware partner, EssilorLuxottica, and will start at $349.
Meta had previously tried to address the privacy issue with an update that disables the camera if the recording-indicator LED light is tampered with, but concerns about covert use persisted. The new audio-focused glasses could offer a way around that criticism while also competing with devices such as Apple's Siri-powered AirPods.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during the keynote that once people get used to high-quality audio, it becomes something they want available at all times, adding that the company realized while developing the concept that it could build an entirely new glasses category around audio alone.
Design and specs
Without a camera to house, the glasses are slimmer than Meta's other models and weigh just 43 grams. They feature adjustable temple tips, swappable nose pads, overextension hinges, and up to 12 hours of battery life per charge — extending to 48 hours with the included charging case. Buyers can choose from 23 color and lens combinations, including two new styles called Clubmaster and Burbank, and can order them with a prescription.
The glasses go up for preorder on October 13.
Alongside them, Meta announced its next-generation camera-equipped glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, featuring a 12-megapixel camera supporting 3K Ultra HD video and a six-microphone array. Beyond the existing Wayfarer style, two new styles — Aviator and Zena — will be offered. Meta also announced a new brand partnership with singer Lisa and plans to expand availability to more countries.
