Amid Privacy Concerns, Meta Unveils Smart Glasses Without a Camera

'Ray-Ban Meta Audio'... Just 43g Without a Camera

"Most Eyeglass Wearers Will Adopt Smart Glasses Within a Few Years"

Amid ongoing controversy over privacy infringement caused by smart glasses, Meta has unveiled a new product without a camera.

On September 23 (local time), Meta introduced the “Ray-Ban Meta Audio” at its annual developer conference, “Meta Connect 2026,” held at its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, USA. This new model focuses solely on voice capabilities and artificial intelligence (AI) performance. The product removes the camera that was attached to previous Meta smart glasses, fully addressing controversies around privacy infringement and non-consensual recording associated with camera-equipped smart glasses. With the camera gone, the frame has been made slimmer, and the weight has been reduced to 43g, making it the lightest Meta AI glasses to date.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is giving a speech at 'Meta Connect 2026' held on the 23rd (local time) in Menlo Park, California, USA. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Meta described the product as “the lightest and slimmest AI glasses, incorporating the iconic Ray-Ban style along with wireless earphones and AI performance.” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “The removal of the camera has opened up possibilities for an entirely new design,” and explained that the product “looks like regular glasses.” The glasses are also equipped with Meta’s AI agent, “Muse,” which enables users to carry out everyday tasks through voice commands. The price starts at $349 (approximately 480,000 won), and the product will go on sale beginning October 13.

Meta also unveiled a new camera-equipped smart glasses model, “Ray-Ban Meta (3rd generation).” The new version features six microphones to reduce call noise and an improved battery life. In the United States, it will go on sale today for $449 (approximately 610,000 won).

Zuckerberg stated, “Today, nearly 2 billion people around the world wear glasses, and the number is even higher if you include sunglasses. I believe that within the next few years, the majority of these people will be wearing AI glasses.” He continued, “When we first began developing smart glasses, we thought the metaverse—a mix of the real and virtual worlds—would come first, and advanced AI would follow. But in reality, personal superintelligence is arriving first and is playing a key role.” He added, “That’s why we’re now focusing on building the best device to harness personal superintelligence.”

In addition, Meta announced plans to launch the “Meta VR Glasses”—virtual reality devices that are worn like glasses—in the spring of next year. Designed for movie watching, sports broadcasts, work, and gaming on a single device, the product features an external battery and processing unit, reducing the weight to about 100g. Meta also revealed its plans to release a Tamagotchi-style AI device called “Muse Charm” within this year.

According to market research firm Omdia, Meta held an 81.3% share of the global AI glasses market in the first half of this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.