TL;DR
Smart glasses have matured into practical devices for communication, entertainment and fitness. This roundup compares current models across style, display quality, battery life and price, and highlights several upcoming launches to watch.
What happened
TechCrunch compiled a buyer’s guide to current smart glasses, covering mainstream wearable styles, display-first models and sport-focused designs. The list includes Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, which emphasizes everyday looks with a 12MP camera, open-ear audio and roughly eight hours of typical battery life; the Viture Luma Pro and Xreal One Pro, which prioritize high-quality micro‑OLED and prism displays for gaming and media; Oakley Meta Vanguard, built for athletes with a 12MP wide-angle camera, wind-optimized mics and an IP67 rating; and the budget-oriented RayNeo Air 3s, offering a 1080p virtual screen at a lower price. Prices on the devices in the roundup range from budget models in the low hundreds to premium units near $650. The article also flags near-term launches from Google/Xreal, Snap and Apple as developments to follow in 2026.
Why it matters
- Smart glasses are shifting from niche gadgets to practical tools for media consumption, navigation and fitness tracking.
- Advances in displays, audio and battery life make different models better suited to travel, gaming, or athletic use.
- A widening price range means entry points for first-time buyers as well as high-end options for power users.
- Major companies and partnerships are preparing new models, signaling continued investment and faster product cycles.
Key facts
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2): 12‑megapixel camera, open‑ear speakers, five microphones, about eight hours typical battery life, 50% charge in 20 minutes, optional case adds 48 hours, 3K Ultra HD video, 32GB storage, IPX4 water resistance, $379.
- Viture Luma Pro: Sony micro‑OLED panels showing a 1200p image on a virtual 152‑inch screen, 120Hz refresh, 52° field of view, up to 1,000 nits brightness, USB‑C mirroring, supports mild myopia up to −4.0 diopters, $499 (on sale for $449).
- Xreal One Pro: Flat‑prism design, virtual display up to 171 inches at 1080p, up to 120Hz, 57° field of view, built‑in Bose speakers, 700 nits, Xreal X1 chip with 3DoF rotational tracking, $649.
- Oakley Meta Vanguard: Targeted at athletes, captures up to 3K video with a 12MP 122° lens, programmable bottom‑mounted buttons, up to nine hours battery life, charging case adds 36 hours, 50% charge in 20 minutes, five‑mic array tuned for wind noise reduction, IP67 rating, $499.
- RayNeo Air 3s: Budget option with micro‑OLED creating a 201‑inch virtual 1080p screen, 120Hz refresh, 46° field of view, ~650 nits perceived brightness, no head tracking, eye‑protection features (3840Hz hybrid dimming, low blue‑light certification), $269 (on sale for $219).
- Prices in the roundup span roughly $219 (sale price) up to $649 for premium models.
- Companies announced upcoming projects: Project Aura (Google + Xreal), Snap’s lighter consumer AR glasses, and Apple’s reported shift to AI smart glasses, all noted as near‑term developments.
What to watch next
- Project Aura — a Google and Xreal collaboration described as an Android XR pair with optical see‑through tech and a 70° field of view; launching next year.
- Snap’s consumer AR glasses — expected in 2026, aimed to be smaller and lighter than previous developer models.
- Apple’s reported AI smart‑glasses effort — reportedly prioritized over a Vision Pro overhaul and expected to debut in 2026.
- Whether smart glasses will meaningfully replace smartphones in coming years — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- micro‑OLED: A compact organic light‑emitting diode display technology that can deliver high contrast and pixel density in small devices.
- field of view (FOV): The angular extent of the observable virtual image; larger angles create a bigger perceived screen size.
- nits: A unit of luminance used to describe display brightness; higher nits improve visibility in bright environments.
- IP rating (e.g., IPX4, IP67): Ingress Protection codes that indicate resistance to dust and water; higher numbers generally mean better protection.
- 3DoF: Three Degrees of Freedom — tracking of rotational head movement so virtual content stays oriented relative to the user’s head.
Reader FAQ
Which model is best for everyday wear and style?
The Ray‑Ban Meta Gen 2 is positioned as a more fashion‑forward, everyday option with integrated audio and camera hardware.
Which glasses are best for media and gaming?
Display‑focused units like the Viture Luma Pro and Xreal One Pro emphasize high‑resolution virtual screens and refresh rates suited to media and gaming.
Are there options built for sports and outdoor use?
Yes — the Oakley Meta Vanguard is designed for athletes, with wind‑optimized microphones, an IP67 rating and features that accommodate helmets.
When will the new Google, Snap or Apple glasses arrive?
Project Aura is described as launching next year; Snap’s consumer glasses and Apple’s reported AI glasses are expected in 2026.
Although smart glasses have been around for a while, the technology is getting more advanced each year, so much so that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims the wearables will replace…
Sources
- Treat yourself: The best smart glasses to buy with your holiday gift money
- Amazon is selling AI smart glasses for $30 as the perfect …
- The Best Smart Glasses We've Tested for 2026
- Ray-Ban Meta in Smart Glasses(12)
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