Meta Unveils Oakley Smart Glasses with Advanced Features for Athletes
Meta Unveils Oakley Smart Glasses with Advanced Features for Athletes
On June 20, 2025, Meta announced a new line of smart glasses in collaboration with Oakley, marking a significant expansion of its wearable technology portfolio. The flagship model, the Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced “how-stuhn”), is priced at $499 and available for pre-order starting July 11, 2025. Additional Oakley models integrated with Meta’s technology will launch later this summer, with prices starting at $399. This move builds on the success of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have sold over two million units, and signals Meta’s ambition to dominate the smart eyewear market through a multi-year partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Oakley and Ray-Ban.
Features and Design
The Oakley Meta smart glasses are tailored for athletes, combining cutting-edge technology with Oakley’s performance-driven design. Key features include:
- 3K Video Camera: A significant upgrade from the 1080p camera in Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, the front-facing camera now captures high-resolution 3K video, ideal for recording dynamic activities like sports or outdoor adventures.
- Audio Capabilities: Built-in open-ear speakers and microphones allow users to listen to music, podcasts, or make phone calls without earbuds, preserving environmental awareness.
- Meta AI Integration: Paired with a smartphone, the glasses enable interaction with Meta AI, which can answer questions about the user’s surroundings, translate languages in real-time, and provide contextual information using the onboard camera and microphones.
- Enhanced Battery Life: The glasses offer eight hours of continuous use, double the battery life of the Meta Ray-Ban model, with a charging case extending total usage to up to 48 hours.
- IPX4 Water Resistance: Designed for active lifestyles, the glasses are resistant to water and sweat, making them suitable for intense workouts or outdoor conditions.
The lineup includes five frame and lens combinations—warm grey, black, brown smoke, and clear—with multiple lens options, including transitions for adaptive light conditions. Prescription lenses are available for an additional cost. The limited-edition HSTN model, distinguished by gold accents and Oakley PRIZM lenses, is positioned as a premium offering at $499.
Market Positioning and Availability
Meta is targeting athletes and fitness enthusiasts with the Oakley branding, leveraging the brand’s reputation for high-performance eyewear. The glasses will be available in 15 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The limited-edition HSTN model opens for pre-orders on July 11, 2025, with broader availability of other models expected later in the summer.
Strategic Partnership with EssilorLuxottica
The announcement follows Meta’s multi-year deal with EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in eyewear manufacturing. EssilorLuxottica aims to sell 10 million smart glasses annually with Meta by 2026, reflecting the growing demand for wearable tech that blends style, functionality, and advanced features. “This is our first step into the performance category,” said Alex Himel, Meta’s head of wearables, hinting at further innovations in the pipeline. The partnership capitalizes on EssilorLuxottica’s expertise in premium eyewear and Meta’s advancements in AI and augmented reality, positioning the collaboration to compete with emerging players in the smart glasses market.
Competitive Landscape and Consumer Appeal
The Oakley Meta smart glasses enter a competitive space where companies like Apple, Google, and smaller startups are exploring augmented reality and smart eyewear. Unlike bulkier AR headsets, Meta’s glasses prioritize a lightweight, stylish form factor, making them accessible for everyday use. The integration of Meta AI offers a unique selling point, enabling features like real-time language translation and contextual assistance, which could appeal to travelers, athletes, and professionals alike.
However, the $399–$499 price range places the glasses in a premium category, potentially limiting mass-market adoption. Privacy concerns, a recurring issue for Meta’s products, may also arise due to the glasses’ camera and AI capabilities, especially in regions with stringent data protection laws like the European Union. Meta has yet to disclose specific privacy safeguards for the new lineup, which could influence consumer trust.
Impact on the Wearable Tech Market
The launch underscores Meta’s broader strategy to integrate AI and augmented reality into everyday devices, moving beyond social media and virtual reality headsets. The success of the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, with over two million units sold, demonstrates strong consumer interest in smart eyewear that combines fashion with functionality. By targeting the performance category with Oakley, Meta is diversifying its appeal to capture a niche but growing segment of active users.
The upgraded 3K camera and extended battery life address common pain points in wearable tech, such as limited recording quality and short usage times, making the glasses a compelling option for content creators and athletes. The IPX4 rating further enhances their durability, positioning them as a practical choice for outdoor and fitness activities.
Future Outlook
Meta’s collaboration with Oakley signals a long-term commitment to expanding the smart glasses market. With EssilorLuxottica’s ambitious sales targets and Meta’s focus on AI-driven features, the partnership could redefine how consumers interact with wearable technology. Future iterations may incorporate more advanced augmented reality capabilities, such as immersive navigation or fitness coaching, as Meta continues to invest in its Reality Labs division.
The announcement also raises questions about the broader adoption of smart glasses. While the Oakley Meta lineup offers compelling features, its success will depend on balancing price, privacy, and practical utility. As competitors ramp up their efforts, Meta’s ability to innovate and address consumer concerns will be critical to maintaining its edge.
Conclusion
Meta’s Oakley smart glasses represent a bold step into performance-oriented wearable tech, combining Oakley’s athletic aesthetic with Meta’s AI and camera advancements. Priced between $399 and $499, the glasses offer enhanced video quality, robust battery life, and AI-powered features tailored for active users. As Meta deepens its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the launch sets the stage for a new era of smart eyewear, with the potential to reshape how we integrate technology into daily life.