Meta Connect 2026: VR Glasses, Camera-Free Smart Glasses Lead Product Blitz

Meta on Wednesday unveiled a wave of new wearable hardware and AI features at its annual Connect event in Menlo Park, led by a lightweight virtual reality glasses device that shifts the company’s VR strategy away from traditional headsets.

The new Meta VR Glasses pack full virtual reality into a 100-gram frame that sits on the ears like ordinary glasses, tethered to a pocket-sized computing puck. The device features a 5K micro OLED display with 2,412 x 2,288 pixels per eye and a 120Hz refresh rate, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, 128GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM. Meta says the glasses are “five times lighter than Meta Quest 3.”

The VR Glasses will launch in spring 2027 at $1,299, pricing them above Meta’s Ray-Ban Display lineup but below Apple’s Vision Pro. They support the full Meta Quest catalog of apps and games, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and can connect to a Mac or Windows laptop as a virtual external display. Meta says they are “the first IMAX Enhanced certified VR device ever” and will support 3D movies and live sports. A “hologram” feature can create a photorealistic digital face for use in calls.

**Camera-free model addresses privacy backlash**

In a direct response to growing privacy and harassment concerns — where wearers have been accused of using built-in cameras to covertly record others — Meta introduced the Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses, a version with no camera. The audio-only model weighs 43 grams, offers up to 12 hours of battery life per charge (48 hours with the charging case), and relies solely on Meta AI for voice interactions, music, and calls.

The Ray-Ban Meta Audio launches October 13 at $349 in 23 color and lens combinations. Outside the event, The Verge noted that “the public backlash against wearable surveillance tech … is gaining steam.”

**Gen 3 smart glasses and budget line**

Meta also refreshed its main camera-equipped smart glasses. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 starts at $449 with up to nine hours of battery life, a customizable action button for instant Meta AI access, and a new six-mic array that cuts “more than 90% of background noise.” The design is slimmer than its predecessor, with 27 color and lens combinations including new Zena and Aviator frame styles. The built-in recording LED remains unchanged from the previous generation.

For a lower price point, Meta announced a new budget version of its in-house Meta Adventurer glasses starting at $249, launching October 23. A new “Mix & Match” program lets customers customize frames, lenses, and case colors. Meta also added two new styles to its EssilorLuxottica collection and a collaboration with Blackpink’s Lisa. The smart glasses line is expanding to Singapore, South Korea, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, with Brazil “coming soon.”

**AI and Muse expansion**

Meta said it is “working on” bringing its recently launched Muse AI agent to its smart glasses. On glasses, Muse will be able to guide workouts, log meals, book appointments, and “help buy products you see.” The company also announced new Muse capabilities including video calls with a customizable live avatar and dedicated email addresses for completing tasks and communicating with users.

Additionally, CEO Mark Zuckerberg teased the “Muse Charm,” a small AI gadget resembling a supersized Tamagotchi, with more details promised “soon.” The product is expected to ship in time for the holiday season, according to The Verge.

Other AI updates include a Hearing Enhancement feature, described as “FDA-cleared software for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss,” available later this year for $149 or with a Meta One subscription. Meta AI on glasses will also provide “more context-rich answers” about what users are looking at, and a new audio customization feature allows shifting volume between left and right ears.

**Ray-Ban Display expansion and movie rentals**

The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, originally launched a year ago, are now available in the UK and Canada, with France, Italy, and Germany launching October 13. A new Explore app will let users browse and use experiences built for the glasses. The Display model is also receiving photo editing, an improved calendar, and mirrored phone notifications. The hologram feature from the VR Glasses will roll out as an early access test on WhatsApp for US Display users later this fall.

Meta also said that “hundreds” of movies will be available for rent or purchase on Quest headsets later this year in the US, with “thousands of titles internationally” when the VR Glasses launch in 2027.

The event, headlined by Zuckerberg’s keynote at 7PM ET on Wednesday, September 23, underscored Meta’s dual push into lightweight VR and AI-powered wearables while tackling the reputational risk of camera-equipped devices.