Meta is expanding its smart-glasses lineup in a different direction. Announced on September 23, 2026, the new Ray-Ban Meta Audio focuses on open-ear listening, calls and hands-free AI in a lighter frame, while Meta’s published specification list does not mention a camera.
The glasses start at $349 in the US. Preorders are open, with shipping scheduled for October 13, according to Meta’s official announcement.
What Ray-Ban Meta Audio offers
Meta describes this as its first audio-glasses product. The 43-gram frame has open-ear speakers and microphones for music, podcasts and phone calls, plus voice access to Meta AI. That makes it closer in purpose to audio eyewear than to camera-equipped smart glasses.
- Weight: 43 grams
- Claimed battery life: up to 12 hours per charge
- Charging case: up to 48 additional hours, according to Meta
- Styles: Clubmaster and Burbank
- Options: 23 frame-and-lens combinations
- Prescription support: compatible with a wide range of optical prescriptions
The quoted battery figures are manufacturer claims, not results from independent testing. Real endurance will depend on listening volume, call time, AI use and connection conditions.
$349 price and October availability
Ray-Ban Meta Audio costs $349 before prescription-lens upgrades or other options. Meta says the glasses are available to preorder now and will begin shipping October 13. Its announcement does not spell out a complete country-by-country rollout, so buyers outside the US should confirm local pricing and availability through official Ray-Ban or Meta stores.
The camera question matters
Meta’s published feature list for Ray-Ban Meta Audio does not mention a camera, video capture or a recording indicator. That is a meaningful contrast with the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 section of the same announcement, which specifically lists a 12-megapixel camera, 3K video and an LED recording light.
However, Meta does not explicitly use the phrase “camera-free” in the announcement. Anyone choosing the model specifically to avoid a camera should confirm the final retail specification before ordering. The distinction could make the Audio model more appealing in workplaces, schools and social settings where camera-equipped eyewear creates privacy concerns.
How it compares with Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3
| Model | Ray-Ban Meta Audio | Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $349 | $449 |
| Claimed battery | Up to 12 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Camera | Not listed in Meta’s Audio specifications | 12MP, up to 3K video |
| Availability | Ships October 13 | Available now |
The Audio model is $100 cheaper, lighter in purpose and rated for longer battery life. Gen 3 is the better fit for people who actively want photo and video capture. Meta also says Gen 3 uses a six-microphone array and claims more than 90% background-noise reduction during calls, but those performance claims still need independent evaluation.
Muse AI is coming, but timing is unclear
Meta also previewed Muse, a more personal AI agent intended for its glasses. The company says Muse will learn from a wearer’s interests and preferences, but it has not provided a firm release date in the announcement. That makes it a future feature rather than a reason to buy the glasses today.
Who these glasses are for
Ray-Ban Meta Audio appears aimed at people who want discreet open-ear audio and voice assistance in conventional-looking eyewear, without paying for the Gen 3 camera system. Prescription support and the two familiar Ray-Ban silhouettes broaden the potential audience beyond early adopters.
The main unknowns are audio quality, microphone performance in noisy places, comfort over a full day and actual battery life. Until independent reviews arrive, the strongest confirmed advantages are the lower $349 entry price, 43-gram weight, broad style selection and the manufacturer’s 12-hour battery claim.
Featured image: Meta/Ray-Ban official promotional image.