Mark Zuckerberg Teases Next-Gen Ray-Ban Smart Glasses – What to Expect in 2025

Mark Zuckerberg has officially put 2025 on the map as a "defining year" for Meta’s smart glasses. During Meta's Q4 2024 investor call, the CEO strongly hinted at a third-generation version of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses—though he stopped just short of confirming a release.

With previous leaks suggesting that the upcoming smart glasses will feature a built-in display, it’s clear that Meta is doubling down on the wearable AI market. But what exactly can we expect from these futuristic specs? Here are four key features we hope to see in Meta’s next-generation Ray-Bans.

A Bold Vision for Smart Glasses in 2025

Meta's smart glasses have already come a long way, evolving from the first-generation Ray-Ban Stories in 2021 to the improved Ray-Ban Meta glasses in 2023. Now, Zuckerberg is setting the stage for the next evolution, stating:

“Our Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses are a real hit, and this will be the year when we understand the trajectory for AI glasses as a category. Many breakout products in the history of consumer electronics have sold 5-10 million units in their third generation. This will be a defining year that determines if we're on a path towards many hundreds of millions and eventually billions of AI glasses.”

While the idea of "billions" of smart glasses in circulation may seem ambitious, there’s no doubt that Meta is betting big on wearable AI. And if they want to make their next release a true breakthrough, there are a few crucial upgrades they need to deliver.

1. Full-Color Display for a True Smart Experience

One of the most exciting rumored features is the addition of a single small in-lens screen. While leaks haven’t specified its resolution or quality, reports suggest that it will at least be capable of displaying notifications and image previews for photos taken with the glasses’ camera.

A full-color display is a must-have for making this feature truly useful. Monochrome displays are fine for simple text, but for a product that prides itself on AI integration and hands-free interaction, full-color visuals would significantly enhance the experience.

Additionally, while a two-lens display (one screen in each lens) would be ideal for a more immersive experience, a single-lens solution could keep costs lower and ensure that users don’t feel overwhelmed by visual clutter.

2. A Price That Won’t Scare Away Buyers

The current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses start at $299 / £299 / AU$449, but a built-in display will almost certainly drive up the cost. While some leaks suggest a $1,000 price tag (around £800 / AU$1,600), that would likely be a dealbreaker for most mainstream consumers.

A more realistic price point? Somewhere around $650 (£550 / AU$1,050) for the base model, with optional lens upgrades pushing it higher. If Meta wants to make these glasses a mainstream hit, they need to keep pricing competitive with premium wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and AR headsets.

To justify a higher price, we’d also love to see premium features like transition lenses, improved speakers, and a better camera (more on that next).

3. A Serious Camera Upgrade

The current 12MP camera on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is decent, but it’s far from smartphone-quality. While it’s great for capturing first-person perspective footage and interacting with Meta AI's “Look and Ask” tool, many users still reach for their phones when they want high-quality photos.

A significant camera upgrade would make these glasses even more useful, especially for content creators who want to record hands-free. While we’re not expecting 50MP smartphone-grade sensors, a bump to 20MP+ with improved low-light performance could make a world of difference.

With better sensors and image processing, the smart glasses could become a go-to device for capturing candid moments at concerts, events, and everyday life—without needing to pull out a phone.

4. A Battery That Can Keep Up

Battery life is already a challenge for the current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which last up to four hours with light use. However, adding a display will inevitably increase power consumption, and that could be a major issue.

For Meta's third-generation smart glasses to succeed, they need at least three to four hours of battery life with the display active. If the display drains power too quickly, the glasses risk becoming an impractical novelty rather than a must-have device.

A balance between battery size, weight, and performance will be key. If Meta can engineer a solution that doesn’t sacrifice comfort or functionality, it could make all the difference.

Final Thoughts: Will 2025 Be Meta’s Breakthrough Year?

Mark Zuckerberg is positioning 2025 as the turning point for Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses. While he carefully avoided confirming a release date, his comments make it clear that a third-generation model is in the works—and likely dropping this year.

If Meta delivers a full-color display, a competitive price, better cameras, and longer battery life, the next-gen Ray-Bans could be one of the biggest wearable tech releases of the year.

But if the price is too high, the display lacks functionality, or battery life is a letdown, these glasses could struggle to gain mainstream adoption.

With Apple’s Vision Pro bringing renewed attention to AR and AI-powered wearables, 2025 will indeed be a defining year—not just for Meta, but for the future of smart glasses as a whole.