Meta continues to aggressively pursue its vision of a connected future, with the upcoming launch of its Oakley smart glasses marking a significant step forward. Set to be unveiled on June 20, 2025, these new smart glasses represent an expansion of Meta's existing partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of both Ray-Ban and Oakley. This collaboration signals Meta's intent to capture a broader segment of the smart eyewear market, specifically targeting sports enthusiasts and active individuals.
The Oakley smart glasses build upon the foundation laid by the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have seen considerable success since their launch. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses included features such as integrated AI assistant, hands-free visual capture, open-ear audio, and the ability to make calls and send messages via voice command. Over two million pairs have been sold since 2023, demonstrating a growing consumer interest in this technology. Building on this success, Meta is also reportedly working on Prada branded smart glasses.
The new Oakley glasses are rumored to have hardware similar to the Ray-Ban models but will be more weather-resistant and geared towards athletes who want to record their activities such as skiing or playing tennis. The Oakley-Meta glasses may feature a centrally placed built-in camera, potentially differing from the Ray-Ban Meta glasses where the camera sits on the edge of the frame. The price point for the Oakley glasses is expected to be around $360.
Meta's smart glasses strategy aligns with CEO Mark Zuckerberg's long-term vision of smart eyewear eventually replacing smartphones. The company is investing heavily in its Reality Labs division, which focuses on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. CTO Andrew Bosworth has identified 2025 as a potentially pivotal year for Meta's AR/VR endeavors, with the smart glasses initiative playing a crucial role.
The broader augmented reality market is experiencing substantial growth, with projections estimating a rise from $43.58 billion in 2024 to $382.87 billion by 2033. Meta holds a dominant position in the VR headset market and is striving to maintain its competitive edge as other tech giants like Google and Apple enter the AR space. The rise of AR glasses is supported by clear, practical applications such as navigation, information accessibility, and communication, overcoming previous limitations related to content and awkward control schemes that hindered earlier AR/VR products.
Meta's smart glasses offer features that allow users to capture photos and videos, listen to music, make calls, and access AI assistants, all while remaining connected to the surrounding environment. These functionalities are expected to enhance user engagement and drive further adoption of smart eyewear. The company is also exploring more advanced AR capabilities, including potential integration of built-in displays for augmented reality experiences. As augmented reality technology continues to evolve, Meta's collaboration with Oakley represents a key step towards realizing a future where enhanced connection and immersive digital experiences are seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
