Meta Connect 2026 turned out to be a big showcase for the company's glasses and virtual reality plans. Alongside new AI features, Meta introduced the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, unveiled the third-generation Ray-Ban Meta and showed off several new frame designs and collaborations.
The company also announced Meta VR Glasses, a 100-gram spatial computing device with a 5K display. On the software side, Meta revealed new Muse features, updates for its existing AI glasses, a major Beat Saber update and several new VR games.
Ray-Ban Meta Audio Price And Features
The Ray-Ban Meta Audio is Meta's first pair of smart glasses designed specifically around audio. Instead of using traditional earbuds, the glasses rely on open-ear speakers and weigh 43 grams.
They will be available in Clubmaster and Burbank styles, with 23 combinations of frames and lenses. Prescription lenses are supported as well.
Meta has added adjustable temple tips, interchangeable nose pads and overextension hinges. Battery life is rated at up to 12 hours, while the charging case can provide another 48 hours.
Pre-orders have opened at $349, which works out to roughly Rs. 33,500. The glasses will start shipping on October 13.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 Gets A Better Camera
The third-generation Ray-Ban Meta has been given a slimmer design, along with adjustable temple tips and a new action button that provides quicker access to Meta AI.
There are 27 frame and lens combinations across Aviator, Zena and Wayfarer styles. Meta is also offering a limited-edition Aviator model to mark the 90th anniversary of the frame.
The glasses can last for up to nine hours, according to Meta, and use six microphones to help cut down background noise during calls and voice interactions.
Photography and video get an upgrade too. The 12-megapixel camera can record 3K Ultra HD video and capture dynamic photos. Dolby Atmos video capture with 360-degree spatial audio is expected to arrive later this year.
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 starts at $449, or approximately Rs. 43,000.
New Meta Glasses Frames And Collaborations
Meta is adding Capri and Nova to its range of frame shapes, while new editions created with Kylie Jenner and LISA will start at $399, around Rs. 38,300.
The limited-edition Meta Fury will initially be sold through Connect and Meta Labs. Another new model, the Meta Adventurer, will cost $249, roughly Rs. 23,900, and will be available from October 23.
The glasses are also reaching more countries. Meta is expanding availability to Singapore, South Korea, Mexico and the UAE, with Brazil planned next. The company expects its Ray-Ban, Oakley and Meta Glasses portfolio to cross 100 AI glasses options by the end of 2026.
Meta VR Glasses Have A 5K Display
Meta's biggest hardware announcement was arguably the Meta VR Glasses. Unlike a conventional VR headset, the device weighs around 100 grams, with the processor, battery and storage housed in a separate external puck.
That design takes some of the weight off the user's face. The glasses themselves use a 5K micro-OLED display with 37 pixels per degree, pancake lenses, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio.
A Qualcomm Snapdragon Reality Elite processor powers the glasses. The external puck supports 45W charging and can provide up to three hours of high-resolution media playback.
There are several ways to control the device. Users can rely on voice commands, eye movements or hand gestures, while the glasses can create multiple virtual displays. A desk or table can also be used as a keyboard and touchpad. Full-colour passthrough keeps the real world visible while users interact with digital content.
More than 75 games are expected to support hand controls when the glasses launch, and Xbox Cloud Gaming will provide access to hundreds of games.
Meta is also leaning heavily into movies and streaming. The glasses will support IMAX Enhanced content and 3D films. Disney+ will add 3D versions of titles including The Avengers and Black Panther from November in select markets.
The Disney Immersive Cinema app will offer VR Enhanced versions of Avengers: Infinity War and Star Wars: A New Hope. Prime Video, YouTube, DIRECTV, AMC+, Crunchyroll, Plex, ESPN and Tubi are also coming to the platform, while Peacock, HBO Max and Paramount+ are preparing their own 3D catalogues.
Meta is working with James Cameron and Lightstorm Vision on more 3D films for 2027.
Sports will get its own immersive treatment. Meta is working with ESPN on 8K, 180-degree Immersive Sports broadcasts, starting with college football on Meta Quest. MLB, NBC Sports, TNT Sports and UFC are among the other partners planned for the platform. Meta expects more than 100 immersive live sporting events each year once the service is up and running.
Meta VR Glasses are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2027 for $1,299.99, or around Rs. 1,24,600.
Meta Muse Is Coming To AI Glasses
Meta's Muse AI agent is also making its way to the company's AI glasses in the coming months. The glasses will be able to use their camera view when interacting with the agent, while Meta is adding real-time voice conversations and a Realtime Avatar.
Muse will also get its own email address and computer-use capabilities on Mac. New connectors are being added for services such as Walmart, Best Buy, Expedia, Instacart, Notion, GitHub and Box.
Meta is also working on a separate device called the Muse Charm.
More AI Features Coming To Meta Glasses
Meta is adding hearing enhancement to supported AI glasses in the US. The feature has received FDA clearance for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and will cost $149.99, around Rs. 14,400. It will also be available through a Meta One subscription and is eligible for HSA and FSA spending.
The glasses are getting several other practical features, including guided running and cycling, nutrition tracking, shopping assistance, landmark-based navigation and more control over audio.
For Ray-Ban Display users in the US and Canada, voice-based directions for cycling and public transport are also coming later this month.
Beat Saber Update And New VR Games
Beat Saber is getting one of its biggest changes in years. Meta plans to release a major update for Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest next spring, introducing a new Flux mode built around hand tracking.
The update will also bring the game's first major visual overhaul and logo change in almost a decade.
Meta rounded off the gaming announcements with several new VR titles. These include Cardmada, Dice Throne Digital, Dragon Grove, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, Supernatural, Tetris Effect: Mixed Realities and Two Point Hospital.