Digital Magazine – Meta and Ray-Ban have once again joined forces to expand their line of smart eyewear. Following the success of the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the companies are back with an updated model, the Ray-Ban Meta 2, promising sharper visuals, longer battery life, and faster charging. But do these upgrades truly justify the higher price tag?
Pricing and Availability
The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta 2 glasses come in at $379 / £379, marking an $80 jump from the original model launched in 2023 at $299 / £299. Custom finishes and prescription lenses remain available at an additional cost. Importantly, the first-generation glasses are still on sale at their original retail price, providing a more affordable option for those hesitant to pay extra for the latest version.
A Camera Upgrade Worth Noticing
One of the headline improvements is the new 3K video recording capability. While the original model was capped at 1080p from its 12MP camera, the Meta 2 doubles the resolution, producing sharper, more detailed photos and videos. It also supports ultrawide HDR recording at 60fps, a step up from the non-HDR recording of its predecessor. In theory, this should allow for brighter, more balanced video capture in high-contrast environments.
Battery Life and Charging Case Overhaul
The first-generation Meta glasses earned praise for design but fell short in endurance. Rated for around four hours of mixed use, the original model often needed recharging after just a couple of hours of heavy use. The Ray-Ban Meta 2 addresses this concern with up to eight hours of battery life, doubling its predecessor’s stamina.
The charging case also sees significant enhancements. While keeping the iconic Ray-Ban aesthetic, the new case introduces fast charging, delivering 50% battery in only 20 minutes. It also carries a higher-capacity battery, extending total use time to 48 hours, compared to the original case’s 32 hours.
New Shooting Modes Coming Soon
Meta has announced upcoming software updates that will add new shooting modes across both first- and second-generation smart glasses. Features such as 120fps slow-motion and hyperlapse recording are expected in the coming months, expanding creative options for users without forcing an upgrade to the newer model.
Meta AI at the Core
Both generations of Ray-Ban Meta glasses continue to lean heavily on Meta AI. The glasses can recognize surroundings through the built-in camera, translate conversations in real-time across six languages, initiate WhatsApp calls, and post directly to Instagram. An upcoming Conversation Focus feature will further enhance usability, allowing wearers to isolate voices in noisy environments. Notably, all these AI-driven tools remain identical across the first- and second-generation devices.
Should You Upgrade?
The Ray-Ban Meta 2 glasses represent a meaningful, though incremental, upgrade. Users gain a sharper camera system, longer battery life, and faster charging, but many of the standout AI features remain unchanged. For new buyers, the Meta 2 is clearly the stronger choice. However, for existing owners of the first-generation model, the improvements may not be compelling enough to warrant the higher cost.
