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Following the success of the Meta Ray-Bans, the company partnered with luxury eyewear brand Oakley, appealing to an entirely new demographic of users -- athletes and outdoorsy types who appreciate a more rugged pair of shades.
Both smart glasses have built-in speakers, mics, cameras, and AI, with the same functionalities when it comes to capturing videos and audio playback, be that music, a phone call, or the Meta AI assistant. However, there are some major differences with specs and design to provide users with different experiences for different environments.
Also: I took a walk with Meta's new Oakley smart glasses - they beat my Ray-Bans in every way
Right off the bat, if you want to look at prices, I should mention the Meta Oakley HSTN Limited Edition smart glasses retail for $499, which is $200 more than the starting price of the Meta Ray-Bans. $500 is a hefty investment for any pair of glasses, so if you're wondering if they're worth the extra cash, check out my breakdown below.
You should buy the Meta Oakley smart glasses if…
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
1. You want a higher battery capacity
Despite being a big fan of the Meta Ray-Bans, my biggest critique was their unimpressive battery life. At four hours, the Meta Ray-Bans aren't enough to last through an entire workday, which is especially limiting for basic features like listening to audio or accessing the voice assistant. In that sense, the biggest advantage of the Meta Oakleys is the eight-hour battery life.
Also: I've worn the Meta Ray-Bans for half a year, and these 5 features still amaze me
While I haven't been able to test the battery life in the same way I could the Ray-Bans (wearing sunglasses for eight hours straight isn't exactly practical), I have worn them for hours at a time on multiple sessions and did not run out of battery, whereas with my Ray-Bans, it feels like the countdown begins right after I put them on.
2. You need durable glasses
Oakley is already a brand synonymous with outdoor activities like running, hiking, and biking: all activities that involve exposure to the elements. Not surprisingly, the Oakley smart glasses have an IPX4 water resistance rating, a step up in durability from the Ray-Bans. While this may not be as important or even necessary for everyday glasses, because of the price of the investment, you'll appreciate it in the long run.
Also: Your Meta Ray-Bans just got a major feature upgrade for free - and it feels surreal
3. Your main goal is to capture content
While both glasses feature a dual 12 MP ultrawide camera system, the Oakleys have been upgraded to take better quality video. The Oakley smart glasses capture 3K video, up from 1080p on the Meta Ray-Bans. The improved video quality, combined with the new extended battery, makes it a better substitute for the traditional GoPro, which is typically what people opt for when shooting POV videos.
You should buy the Meta Ray-Ban smartglasses if...
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
1. You want everyday smart glasses
The rugged look of the Meta Oakley HSTN Limited Edition smart glasses is no doubt an acquired taste. In fact, since posting my hands-on article, the biggest feedback I have gotten is about how they look. Personally, the sunglasses are not my style, but if they are yours, you can only wear them outdoors, which limits their functionality.
As a result, if you want glasses that are virtually indistinguishable from regular everyday ones, the Meta Ray-Bans are a better option. There are also so many different styles of glasses -- both regular and sunglasses -- that you can find one that fits into your specific style.
2. You're shopping on a budget
The upgraded specs in the Oakleys, including higher video quality and longer battery life, come at a cost, bumping up the starting price by about $200. Unless you are the exact target audience and absolutely need those higher specs because you plan on using them during long outdoor activities such as hiking or running a marathon, you'd be fine opting for the Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses.
If saving money is a priority, you can also wait until more models of the Oakley versions are made available later this summer for a lower price point of $399.
You can keep up with my latest stories and tech adventures on social media. Follow me on Twitter/X at @sabrinaa_ortiz and on Instagram at @sabrinaa.ortiz.
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