Meta expanded its wearable lineup at Meta Connect 2026 by launching the $449 Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, a camera-free audio model, and a $399 collaboration with Blackpink star Lisa. The hardware update arrives alongside new privacy controls for recording indicators and plans for on-device data processing.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg used his keynote presentation at Meta Connect 2026 to pitch smart glasses as the ultimate form factor for personal computing, driven by his vision for Personal Superintelligence
powered by the Muse AI agent.
The company announced three new glasses lines alongside updates to existing models. Zuckerberg told attendees that more than 100 different styles of Meta smart glasses will soon be available to customers, emphasizing that fashion and design choices remain central to pushing the hardware into the mainstream.
Hardware Upgrades in the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3
The third-generation flagship smart glasses bring targeted hardware refinements while introducing a price increase. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 starts at $449, stepping up from the $379 price tag attached to second-generation models. For the higher price, buyers get a slimmer frame equipped with flexible temple tips designed to relieve pressure on wider faces.
Battery life receives a modest bump to nine hours of continuous use on a single charge, an hour longer than its predecessor. Audio capture features a new six-microphone array that cuts background noise by up to 90% during calls and AI queries. The built-in camera retains a 12-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 3K video, with Dolby Atmos support for 360-degree spatial audio arriving via software later in the year.
Celebrity Collaborations and Camera-Free Audio Glasses
The product expansion includes high-profile designer partnerships and a departure from video recording entirely. Meta partnered with K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink on the Meta Glasses by Lisa
collection priced at $399. The line introduces two styles: a semi-translucent Moonlit Sky rectangular frame with Blush lenses and an Eclipse cat-eye frame with grey lenses, complete with star accents on the temple tips, custom charging cases, and pet-shaped charms.
For consumers seeking wearable tech without surveillance baggage, Meta introduced its first camera-free smart glasses. Priced at $349, the audio-only models weigh 43 grams and come in Mad Men-esque Clubmaster and Burbank styles.
“Built without a camera and more powerful than headphones, ask your glasses to play music or answer questions on the go.”
Meta, official product description
The company also lowered the entry barrier for its broader lineup by releasing a black Adventurer frame with a plug-in charging case for $249, shaving $50 off the usual base price.
Privacy Scrutiny and Technical Countermeasures
As Meta pushes deeper into wearable hardware, the company faces persistent public backlash over surveillance concerns. To combat users subverting the mandatory recording LED by blocking the sensor after filming begins, Meta is rolling out a firmware update that prevents recording if the capture light is tampered with or covered.
The newly announced hardware is available to order online, while the company confirms an expanded retail footprint reaching South Korea, Singapore, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, with Brazil scheduled next.