Oakley Meta: How AI-Powered Smart Glasses with Improved Camera Work (And How Much They Cost)

From October 2023 to February 2025, EssilorLuxottica sold more than two million Ray-Ban Meta , the smart glasses born from the collaboration with Meta, the company led by Mark Zuckerberg .

A success that has redefined expectations in the wearable technology sector, thanks to the combination of classic aesthetics and integrated artificial intelligence .

“A pair of glasses will be the main digital platform able to respond to our daily needs” said Francesco Milleri , CEO and president of EssilorLuxottica, during the presentation of the financial results for the 2024 fiscal year . It is therefore not surprising that the group has decided to extend the winning formula to another iconic brand in its portfolio: Oakley .

This is how the Oakley Meta HSTN was born, a new generation of glasses designed for the sports and outdoor world, which combines a technical design with the functions of the Meta AI , the same intelligent assistant already tested with Ray-Ban.

Sporty design and AI power at the service of the user

Designed for athletes, cyclists, hikers and runners, Oakley Meta HSTN features a rugged construction and advanced components compared to Ray-Ban Meta: a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera capable of 3K video, improved open-ear speakers, up to 8 hours of active battery life (19 hours of standby), plus a built-in battery case that extends battery life by an additional 40 hours.

Water and heat resistant (but the certification, IPX4 , has not changed), the Oakley smarts offer an experience designed for those who want the help of AI without taking out their smartphone .

Meta AI for glasses

It is precisely the integration with Meta AI that makes the difference: the assistant, powered by next-generation linguistic models, is able to interpret what the user sees or says in real time. Just “wake up” the AI ​​by saying “Hey, Meta” and then asking questions like “What is the story of this monument?” , “Is this restaurant vegetarian?” or “How much protein does this snack contain?” to receive answers from a synthetic voice, even in Italian.

The system is able to recognize places , translate writing , read QR codes and even describe what the user has in front of him , an extremely useful function even for the visually impaired. But the convenience of these glasses is not limited to AI alone : ​​they can be used to take photos or record short videos by pushing a button located on the right temple of the glasses - a flashing light will indicate to others that the camera/video camera is in use - or they are perfect for listening to music or making phone calls thanks to the integrated speakers.

How much do Oakley Meta HSTN cost?

The new Oakley Meta HSTN will be available for pre-order starting July 11 , also in Italy, at $399 . A limited edition version with Prizm Polar 24K lenses is also planned, at a price of $499 .

The Race for AI Glasses

The launch of the Oakley Meta HSTN comes amid an increasingly competitive market for wearable artificial intelligence .

While Apple and Samsung still dominate the smartwatch field, the real game is now being played on the face , with the so-called “ face wearables ”.

Google, which was the first to move with Google Glass, is preparing to relaunch its glasses in partnership with brands such as Warby Parker and Gentle Monster , aiming for a more discreet and socially acceptable aesthetic.

OpenAI has also decided to enter the race: the company acquired the startup founded by Jony Ive for around 6.5 billion dollars, and is developing a mysterious, screen-less AI device, compact and designed to be worn or placed on a desk, which promises constant and natural interaction with the user.

In this scenario, Meta claims a leading role. Zuckerberg argues that glasses are the most intuitive and lightweight way to interact with AI , better than any phone or visor.