Meta is reportedly preparing to launch a premium version of its popular smart glasses later this year, featuring a built-in screen.
The move is part of the company’s effort to offer an alternative to Apple Inc.’s iPhone and other mobile devices.
Codenamed ‘Hypernova,’ the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will feature a small single-eye display embedded in the right lens, visible only to the wearer.
This display could enable users to view phone notifications, browse photos, or navigate apps like Google Maps, all controlled using hand gestures and capacitive touch on the sides of the frame, according to a report on Bloomberg.
The price for these glasses will start at around $1,000, with certain models potentially exceeding $1,300 or even $1,400.
Its current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are priced at $300, with some closer to $380.
Large sensor, physical buttons
The AR glasses may come equipped with a larger sensor as compared to the current model, improving image quality.
However, the glasses will retain the physical button controls from the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, allowing users to access the built-in camera for capturing photos and videos.
They will also feature onboard speakers, which can be adjusted by sliding a finger along a capacitive sensor on the right earpiece.
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are ideal for taking photos or listening to music, but software could be a potential drawback, the report noted.
The premium model will feature its own home screen, giving users access to an app drawer with horizontal icons. Dedicated apps for photos, the camera, and maps may also be included.
Additionally, the device will be powered by a Qualcomm chip and run a customized version of Android. Upon starting, users will see a home screen with apps arranged horizontally, along with dedicated apps for the camera, gallery, AI, and navigation.
It will also support notifications from phone apps like Messenger and WhatsApp.
Like its predecessor, ‘Hypernova’ is expected to rely heavily on the Meta View app for photo transfers.
Since the app is not particularly user-friendly and the new glasses are designed to deliver notifications—likely from a connected phone—its dependence on Meta View could be a potential drawback.
Meta has long faced challenges with software.
The Meta View app remains heavily restricted by the operating systems it relies on, and Mark Zuckerberg has openly expressed concerns over the limitations imposed on the Ray-Ban Meta and other third-party devices, particularly with iOS.
If these limitations persist, the new glasses could struggle to differentiate themselves from past smart glasses that failed to gain traction.
Meanwhile, recent leaks from Meta suggest the company plans to launch a range of smart glasses in 2025.
Its Oakley-branded visors, made especially for athletes, are also likely to hit the market this year.
The company has also ramped up work on the next version of Hypernova, which could come with two screens, the report said. Codenamed ‘Hypernova 2’, the glasses could be unveiled in 2027.
Meta is likely to unveil ‘Hypernova’ at its annual Meta Connect conference this year.
