Review: Ray-Ban Meta

I purchased a pair of the Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses while abroad last year. It is the second-generation smart glasses from Ray-Ban and Meta’s partnership, after the release of Ray-Ban Stories.

The upgraded model has over 150 style variations between two frame shapes, two sizes, seven colours and different lens options including prescription and transitions. As pictured, I chose the matte black Wayfarer in size M and added a blue light filter.

Ray-Ban Meta Quick Look:

• Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer style
• 12MP ultra-wide cameras (3024 x 4032)
• 1440 x 1920p videos at 30fps
• 5 microphones; 2 open-ear speakers
• 4-6 hrs battery life; 32GB flash storage
• Touch, Voice and Meta AI

Purchasing a pair from South Africa

The Ray-Ban Meta pair of glasses comes in regular lens, sunglasses or transition lens from indoor to outdoor usage. You can also make them a prescription pair but because my eyes change almost every year, that would have been a waste of money to me, because it almost doubles the cost.

I chose the regular lens, and added a blue light filter as an extra, in size M. The base model without extras is $299, and with the blue light filter came to $316. I received some random promo discount of just under $3. When you sign up with a new account and subscribe to the newsletter, the first time discount offer does not work on the Ray-Ban Meta purchase.

I bought it from the Ray-Ban website directly ahead of a trip to the United Stated in December 2023. I had it ship to my hotel and tracked the delivery online. It took longer than I expected, I think because at the time it went viral on TikTok and it was suddenly sold out, so the lead time was extended. Regardless, it was within the time frame of me being in the country.

Interestingly, the shipment came from Hong Kong, vs. stock that would have already been in the US. Subsequently, on my additional travels to the US and EU, I’ve seen the glasses in store at the RayBan stores.

A breakdown of the total cost, which came to R5953 on my card:

Initial set-up 

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses comes in the box with the glasses, cleaning cloth, charging case, quick start guide and warranty info. They do not include a USB-C charging cable, but most people already have one.

Like AirPods and other wireless earbuds, the case is a battery case so when the glasses are in the case, it is charging. I’ve always used it at 100%.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses paired easily on my iPhone using the Meta View app. It needed a software update and in no time, I was connected. I have not tried pairing it on Android so can’t speak for the simplicity of it.

I downloaded the Meta View app while I was in the US, and used my US Apple App Store account, meaning it was not from my South Africa store account. It says my English language is set to South Africa when I look at it now. When I travelled to Ghana recently, one of the content creators I met that side said the app was not available in Ghana.

Since pairing it, every time I remove it from the case, it connects seamlessly via the app when I have it open. Truth be told, it has not struggled with this and pairs almost immediately; I find that it has a stable, reliable connection.

There’s always feedback when you put it on. It tells you battery level, and if you say Hey Meta, there’s a sound so you know it’s listening. This makes it very intuitive and easy to use.

Meta View app

The Meta View app is central to controlling the glasses, updating the software and downloading your content. It also supports voice commands through Hey Meta. The glasses turns into a WiFi hotspot that you connect to to download the images and videos of it. When you are transferring content, you cannot record videos or take photos at the same time.

You need a Meta account to use the app; I created one from scratch and didn’t link my Instagram accounts or Meta Business app account to it (not sure if you can link your IG).

It also has extensive settings you can go into plus privacy ones. Voice privacy includes voice storage, activity log and verified sessions. I’ve opted not to store an activity log of whatever I asked it to do, and turned off the store recordings option too.

You can control things like updating over WiFi or data, gestures, touchpad, notification LED brightness level – so a person knows when you are recording, wear detection, etc.

You can also tweak small things like a wake sound after saying “Hey Meta” or “OK Meta”, adjusting what the capture button does (either take a photo or start recording a video), and pair to Whatsapp, Messenger or your phone. I only linked it to Whatsapp.

Ray-Ban Meta: Content creation

The main reason I purchased the Ray-Ban Meta was for content creation for my socials. I used to place my phone on a flex tripod arm linked to a table to shoot from the top and figures this may be a better solution. It’s easier to use both hands to open my boxes and wear the glasses to shoot.

I am fully aware about the privacy concerns around smart glasses, and don’t record publicly in front of others where they are in the shot. I use it in very specific conditions, usually at home for recordings or if I am going to an event that’s not public.

Also, because I wear prescription glasses, when I switch to the Ray-Ban Meta, I can’t actually see with them unless I am wearing contact lenses. So it’s not something I wear all day, either.

The app records from the left lens so it does mean after trial error, you figure out how to centralise your videos or just crop afterwards. In the beginning, I had to do a few takes to understand where to place the product in front of me.

The video quality from the ultra-wide 12MP is decent for social media and it shoots in 1080p. I’ve not had issues with the quality, especially for what I’m doing with it, but in daylight hours with good light. The stills are average, though. It depends on lighting, and also I’m so used to shooting on iPhone that it doesn’t compare. I don’t use it in low-light and I wouldn’t.

But it’s great for outdoors if you’re traveling and want to capture unique footage etc. If I’m indoors at any attraction, I also make sure I am not recording others without their permission or look down to show anything interesting – like when I was in New York and went up a high-rise building with a portion of a transparent floor. In that instance, everyone is making videos there.

The one thing about it is that when you start recording, you need to wait 1-2 seconds before you start doing what you intend to, I find there is a very minor lag with that. And to keep a few seconds buffer after you shoot before you stop recording.

I can also listen to my podcasts, music and take calls with it, but that’s not my intention with them. Audio quality is good from what I tested indoors. But as mentioned, I can’t actually see with them unless I am wearing contact lenses so I can’t just wear it and walk around to be able to do that.

The glasses also let you go live on supported Meta apps like Facebook and Instagram. I’m not on Facebook and have never done a live on IG so that’s not what I use it for.

Controls, gestures and voice commands

The button that appears on the top right frame is used for recording videos or shooting stills. I toggle it in the app based on what I am doing, and sometimes keep it for recording at one press or taking pics. If you have it set to one, all it means is you long press it for it to trigger the other function. It only toggles between stills and videos.

The right arm of the glasses is a touchpad and you can choose to launch Spotify with it, or trigger your voice controls, or simply not have it do anything. I have it set to “Spotify Tap”.

You can also slide your finger to adjust volume, plus there is a three finger tap and hold command option as above.

Otherwise, you can ask “Hey Meta” to start recording a video or take a photo. It is also a voice assistant that can tell me the weather if I ask it. Commands are available here.

However, I do have access to ask it other commands than the one listed in the above link. It is widely reported that the Meta AI is only available in the US region. Mine worked in SA when I got back but stopped working after a recent update. But when I turn on my VPN it works again.

I can ask it things like converting units, what is the capital city of a country, etc – basically things you could typically Google. But there is very slight delay/lag with this.

Regarding the voice, you can choose between English in the US, UK and Australia; there’s also France and Italy. You can choose a speaking rate (0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75) and voice between mid-range precise and low, enthusiastic. I chose UK, 1x and low, enthusiastic. Using the voice command feature is optional and if you are not comfortable, you can disable it.

Is it worth the money?

Initially, I was a bit skeptical about the fact that it is a Meta-owned product. I myself am not on Facebook (since before the Cambridge Analytic scandal hit), but I am on Instagram and Threads.

However, I did create a separate account for it and yes, while I can tell you I paid attention to the privacy controls in the app, there is no guarantee that my data may be used in a way I did not consent.

That said, it does a good job of creating the content I wanted it for. It’s very specific to me being a journalist and creating content for my social channels. I don’t use it for live-streaming, taking calls or listening to audio. Unless I wear contacts and can walk around with it. Because of this, I find the battery life excellent. It is always charged when I need to use it.

I don’t record people publicly without their permission; I believe I do not infringe on other people’s privacy using it. It’s purely for content creation. I don’t even use the voice commands or AI often enough despite having access to it. But I will say, I am looking forward to its multimodal support.

If you look at the table above about price point when converted to South African Rands, I think it is absolutely worth the money I paid. Will I change my mind in the future? Maybe, maybe not. Let’s see how useful those multimodal features are.