I've been wearing the $800 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses daily for ten days and I'm still a bit conflicted. On one hand, I'm still not entirely comfortable with how they look. I've worn them on the bus, at the office, on walks around my neighborhood and during hangouts with friends. Each time, I'm very aware that I probably look a bit strange.
On the other hand, there's a lot I really like about using these glasses. The built-in display has helped me look at my phone less throughout the day. The neural band feels more innovative than any wrist-based device I've tried. Together, it feels like a significant milestone for smart glasses overall. But it's also very much a first-generation device with some issues that still need to be worked out.
Meta 76 100 Expert Score Meta Ray-Ban Display An exciting first-gen product, if you can get past the thick frames. Pros Display is bright, clear and doesn't feel overwhelming
Ability to preview and zoom in with the camera makes it way easier to frame shots
Visual feedback for Meta AI prompts is surprisingly helpful
Neural band is very accurate and reduces reliance on voice commands Cons Frames are way too thick for most people's comfort
Display is only compatible with a handful of apps
Text messages can be wonky More info at Meta
Chunky statement glasses or hideously nerdy?
To once again state the obvious: The frames are extremely chunky and too wide for my face. The dark black frames I tried for this review unfortunately accentuate the extra thickness. I won't pretend it's my best look and I did feel a bit self-conscious at times wearing these in public. Meta also makes a light brown "sand" color that I tried at the Connect event, and I think that color is a bit more flattering, even if the frames are just as oversized. (Sidenote: Smart glasses companies, please, please make your frames available in something other than black!)
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