The past few months have been spent living with Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2), worn not as a novelty but as part of everyday life. More recently, we added the Oakley Meta HSTN AI glasses to the mix, using them for just over three weeks. The question, then, is not whether Meta’s smart glasses work — that has largely been settled — but where these two variants meaningfully diverge, and where they remain alike.

At a basic level, both pairs promise the same future-facing pitch: Smart glasses that let you take photos and videos, listen to music, handle calls and speak to a voice assistant, all without ever reaching for your phone. In practice, they are most useful during walks, long commutes and everyday errands: Grocery runs, shopping trips, moments when your hands are full and your phone is buried somewhere inconvenient. Used this way, they begin to feel less like gadgets and more like tools, which is no small feat in the wearables world.

The Oakley collaboration offers a new design vis a vis Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. It relies on open-ear speakers, and delivers information entirely through sound rather than any visual overlay. Design-wise, the HSTN frames have a distinct personality. Their slightly aggressive lines, clean curves and half-gloss, half-matte finish give them a contemporary edge. At 53 grams without the charging case, they are among the lightest smart glasses available. Although technically one-size-fits-all, the fit has just about enough flex, sitting surprisingly snug on the face, which is good news if you plan to capture content while moving.

Joy of not reaching for your phone

The most obvious differences between the two glasses emerge when you look at the cameras. Both are equipped with 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensors, but they behave a little differently. The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses shoot photos at 3024 × 4032 pixels and record video at up to 3K.

The Oakleys, meanwhile, offer a wider 100-degree field of view and can record video at 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps or 3K@30fps. This higher resolution must be manually enabled in the Meta AI app, and the system dynamically adjusts resolution based on movement and stabilisation demands. Photo resolution remains identical to the Ray-Bans at 3024 × 4032 pixels.

Both glasses shoot vertical video by default, making them well suited to phone-first platforms such as Instagram. Recording is delightfully simple: Either issue a voice command or press the action button on the frame. A small LED flashes to signal that filming is under way, a modest but important nod to transparency.

There are, of course, trade-offs. Recording in 3K drains the battery quickly, but the Meta AI app allows you to drop to full HD, shorten clip length or dial down stabilisation to conserve power. The stabilisation itself is genuinely impressive. Running, cycling or bouncing along uneven roads still produces smooth, watchable footage. Low-light video is serviceable but daytime results are among the best currently available on smart glasses.

The ability to capture a fleeting moment instantly, without fumbling for a phone, gives the images a sense of authenticity. It feels less performative, more human. All footage is funnelled into the Meta AI app. Even better, you can share content directly to, say, Instagram using voice commands moments after recording.

tyranny of pockets

Another clear distinction lies in the charging cases. The Ray-Ban case is slimmer and lighter at 133 grams, making it easier to live with day to day. The Oakley case, by contrast, is bulkier at 213g.

Each pair of Oakley Meta glasses comes with a charging case that can provide up to 48 hours of charging on the go

The glasses are rated for up to eight hours on a single charge (up to 48 hours with additional charges from the case). In practice, battery life depends heavily on how you use them. Music playback, calls and AI queries barely make a dent, while frequent photo and video capture drains power quickly. With mixed usage, we consistently saw around seven hours from the Oakleys – solid by current standards.

That said, the Oakley case is something of a mixed blessing. The magnet that holds the glasses in place is almost too strong, making removal slightly awkward. Its size also means it’s better suited to a backpack than a pocket. By comparison, the Ray-Ban case simply looks cooler and feels easier to live with.

what actually feels different

Audio remains the most consistently useful feature across both models. The open-ear speakers allow you to enjoy music while staying aware of your surroundings — invaluable when navigating traffic or busy streets. Gesture controls on the temples handle volume and track skipping, and playback works smoothly with Apple Music and Spotify. Bass is inevitably limited, and there’s no noise cancellation, but maximum volume is strong enough for most environments. It’s a case of horses for courses, and Meta has largely chosen the right horse.

Call quality is another pleasant surprise. With five microphones built in (two in left arm, two in right arm, one near nose pad), voices come through clearly even on windy days, and background noise reduction is so effective that callers often can’t tell where you are. The Oakleys also have slightly slimmer temple tips towards the back than the Ray-Bans.

Aesthetically, the Oakleys benefit from restraint. There are a few minor technical differences. Notification sounds for volume and system feedback are subtly different on the Oakleys, and arguably better.

So what remains the same? Almost everything else. The overall experience mirrors that of the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: Photos, videos, music, podcasts, calls and conversations with Meta AI. Both are IPX4 splash-resistant, meaning rain is fine. Audio specifications are identical, and you can store plenty of photos and videos. You can always transfer all of these automatically to your phone and store more on the glasses.

A sample picture taken using the Meta smart glasses

Meta AI itself is arguably the most transformative feature. It allows hands-free interaction: Asking for the time or weather, sending messages, posting videos or calling friends without touching your phone. It responds reliably even in noisy environments or when you speak softly. Visual AI adds another layer, enabling the assistant to describe what it sees and offer contextual information.
In the end, choosing between the Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta Glasses comes down largely to aesthetics and battery life. The Oakleys look sportier; the Ray-Bans offer more frame options and a sleeker case.

Privacy concerns? There is a light that glows on the frame when you are recording videos. But the problem with such technology in general is that the camera is so good that you can record things from a distance. Later, using a video-editing app, you can zoom in slightly. The same can also be said for smartphones that allow 30x or 100x zoom.

These are among the most distinctive smart glasses currently available. Daytime camera quality is excellent, audio performance is consistently strong, and Meta AI feels practical. For those seeking understated, designer-leaning wearables that fit neatly into walks, rides, runs and hikes, these are worth a look.

Used consistently, Meta’s smart glasses change the rhythm of everyday interactions. Photos are taken without stopping. Messages are sent without breaking stride. Music plays without isolating you from what’s around you. These are small changes, but together they suggest a future in which wearable technology moves into the background rather than demanding attention.

At a glance

Device: Oakley Meta HSTN AI glasses

Price: Upwards of ₹41,800

High notes

Strong daytime camera quality

Excellent stabilisation

Reliable open-ear audio

Clear call quality

Useful hands-free controls

Solid battery life

Comfortable for long wear

Practical Meta AI features

Muffled notes

Charging case could have been lighter

No noise cancellation

Privacy light while recording video could be brighter or in a different colour