At a time when many countries are calling for a ban on smart glasses due to privacy and security concerns, Meta on Thursday, September 24 2026, launched its first camera-free artificial intelligence glasses, introducing the Ray-Ban Meta Audio as an alternative to camera-equipped smart glasses while retaining features such as music playback, phone calls, speech translation and access to its AI assistant.
The company unveiled the Ray-Ban Meta Audio at its Connect 2026 conference on Wednesday. Developed with Meta’s hardware partner EssilorLuxottica, the audio-only glasses will start at $349.
Unlike Meta’s existing AI glasses, the new model does not feature a camera. This allows Meta to build a slimmer device focused primarily on audio, communication and voice-based interactions while addressing privacy concerns associated with wearable cameras.
Meta bets on audio-first AI glasses
The Ray-Ban Meta Audio allows users to listen to music and podcasts, make phone calls, translate speech and interact with Meta’s Muse AI assistant.
Users can communicate with Muse directly through the glasses, providing access to AI-powered assistance without having to take out their phones.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company began exploring whether it could create an entirely new category of glasses built around high-quality audio rather than cameras.
The camera-free approach also responds to concerns over privacy and the potential for people to be recorded without their knowledge or consent.
Camera-free design removes video recording concerns
Meta’s existing AI glasses have faced criticism over the possibility of covert recording, particularly in public spaces where people may not realise they are being filmed.
The company previously introduced measures designed to make recording more difficult when the indicator light on its glasses was tampered with. However, concerns surrounding privacy and camera-equipped AI glasses have persisted.
The Ray-Ban Meta Audio removes the camera entirely, meaning the device cannot be used to record video.
Instead, Meta is positioning the new glasses around listening, communication and AI-powered interactions.
Lighter design and longer battery life
Without cameras and the additional hardware required for video recording, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio weighs 43 grams.
Meta says the glasses can deliver up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, while the accompanying charging case extends total battery life to as much as 48 hours.
The glasses also feature adjustable temple tips, swappable nose pads and overextension hinges.
They will be available in 23 colour and lens combinations, including two new frame styles.
The retro-inspired Clubmaster design offers a classic Ray-Ban appearance, while the Burbank features a more traditional rectangular frame.
Like Meta’s other smart glasses, the new model can also be ordered with prescription lenses.
Pre-orders will open on October 13.
Meta unveils new camera-equipped AI glasses
Alongside the camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio, Meta announced its next-generation Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 glasses.
The new range retains cameras and introduces two additional frame styles, the Aviator and Zena, alongside the existing Wayfarer design.
The glasses feature a 12MP camera capable of recording 3K Ultra HD video, a six-microphone array and up to nine hours of battery life.
Meta is also expanding the range of colours and styles available across its AI glasses portfolio.
The company announced a new partnership with singer Lisa, following its earlier collaboration with Kylie Jenner, as it seeks to broaden the consumer appeal of its smart-glasses range.
Meta also plans to introduce its AI glasses to additional markets globally.
Muse becomes central to Meta’s AI glasses strategy
Meta is making its newer Muse AI assistant a central part of its smart-glasses strategy.
Both the camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio and the camera-equipped models will provide access to Muse, allowing users to interact with the AI assistant through voice commands.
Meta also teased several upcoming software and accessibility features for its glasses.
These include Dolby Atmos Capture, improved photo selection from multiple frames, landscape and portrait shooting options, hearing enhancements for people with hearing loss, more detailed AI responses and additional audio modes.
Users will also be able to customise controls on the glasses.
Meta is additionally developing a feature called Private Processing, which the company says will prevent it from seeing users’ data while certain AI functions are being processed.
With the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, Meta is expanding its AI glasses strategy beyond cameras and visual features. The company is betting on an audio-first approach that combines AI assistance, smart-glasses functionality and communication while addressing some of the privacy concerns surrounding camera-equipped wearable devices.
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