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I wore Meta's $499 prescription Ray-Bans for 6 weeks: They're stylish but not for me
Meta Ray-Ban Optics
pros and cons
- Lighter frame.
- Adjustable nose pieces.
- Thinner frame style.
- Meant for prescription eyeglass wearers.
- Nosepieces are still molded.
- The most expensive glasses Meta offers.
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Back in March, EssilorLuxotica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, unveiled a new version of its smart glasses for Meta called the Meta Ray-Ban Blayzer Optics. They're the company's first prescription-focused eyewear, designed to be worn all day long by glasses wearers with comfort at the forefront.
The includes new replaceable nosepieces as well as some improvements over previous-generation hardware, but in essence it's the same technology inside as other Gen 2 hardware, such as the Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
The naming of Meta's Ray-Ban glasses is confusing, but there are two designs of the prescription Optics models: the Blayzer Optics, (which I tested) with a square lens, and the Scriber Optics, with a round lens.
Also: Ray-Ban Meta vs. Optics: Why glasses wearers should consider the new model
I recently got my hands on the second-gen Meta Ray-Ban Blayzer Optics, and I've been wearing them for about six weeks. Although I have glasses of my own, I'm not a full-time wearer, as I tend to use them off and on. For my review unit, I had Essilor use the prescription in my reading glasses.
To be clear, these Meta glasses are not the ones announced in June, even though those glasses are also made in collaboration with EssilorLuxotica, without the Ray-Ban branding. The Optics I tested are Ray-Bans through and through, but I do think Meta could provide clearer branding.
What's new in the Meta Ray-Ban Optics?
These glasses feature shorter lenses than previous models, but still have a similar chunky frame. Overall, as a bigger guy with high cheekbones, I prefer this look to other styles, but the frame outlines are still a tad chunky for my taste.
Also: I wore Google's Android XR glasses again - and my limit-testing should scare Meta and Apple
The interchangeable nosepieces are not what I was hoping for. The Meta Ray-Ban Optics glasses come with three sets of nosepieces -- the preinstalled 'Universal' set, plus high- and low-bridge sets. The glasses also come with a guitar pick-shaped spudger to help you remove the nosepieces (but I used my fingernail).
As mentioned, my high cheekbones make it more difficult to fit glasses. I'd hoped for a more offset nose pad rather than something molded into the frame. I tried all three sets, and I could tell there was a bit of a difference, but the reading glasses I normally wear have wired nose pads that keep the glasses from resting on my face, and I prefer that style.
Also: Meta AI Glasses vs. Meta Ray-Ban: I compared the latest models to decide if it's time to switch
From a technology standpoint, the main difference between these and earlier glasses is a secondary button on the main capture button. It looks like a small blue dot, and the button is raised so you can easily find it. The raised button adds a third, customizable function to the glasses. A single press captures a photo, a long press captures video, and you can customize the raised button to perform a different function, such as translation, hyperlapse, or mute/unmute calls. It's nice to have the third option, for sure.
The glasses have the same 12-megapixel camera, capable of taking photos and capturing 3K Ultra HD video. Battery life is rated at around eight hours of audio playback. That capability is significantly reduced when you start capturing photos and video, by the way. The glasses charge similarly to other Meta Ray-Ban glasses, but via a slightly thinner case.
Putting Meta AI to the test
To test the glasses' built-in AI capabilities, I headed to my local library and asked Meta AI to translate some book covers. I also asked the AI to add events to my calendar. In one particularly impressive display, I looked at a board with eight posters and told the glasses to add the middle event on the bottom-right poster to my calendar (see below), which the AI successfully did.
That being said, the tech added the event to my Meta AI calendar, which I don't really use. When I got a notification via my glasses a month later, I had forgotten about the event. So, that wasn't much fun.
Also: Meta's new AI tool lets others use your Instagram posts for image generation - how to opt out
Overall, these glasses provide a new option for Meta glasses for users with a prescription who want a functional pair of smart glasses they can wear all day. That's great to have, and with the new Ray-Ban-less styles that Meta introduced, the glasses come in a variety of price points as well. These glasses are on the higher side, however, starting at $499.
ZDNET's buying advice
Unfortunately, I don't think the improvements in the Meta Ray-Ban Optics justify the high price tag, but I still haven't found glasses that can do everything I want. I will say, however, that among the Meta Ray-Ban glasses I've tested, these have the best style.
If you're looking for a pair of smart glasses you can wear all day with your prescription, they fit that use case. But the glasses charge a premium price for it. If you're looking at alternatives, I'd recommend the Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which have much of the same second-gen hardware and are nearly $100 cheaper.