Although Meta only recently unveiled the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses at the end of October, the differences between this latest iteration and the original 2021 release are surprisingly modest. The design philosophy and core experience remain largely consistent, giving users a familiar sense of style, comfort, and functionality. This continuity of quality and performance makes the original Ray-Ban Meta model an especially compelling purchase today — particularly because it’s currently available at its lowest recorded price of approximately $238.99, a generous $60 discount, during Black Friday promotions at major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. In practical terms, consumers are able to acquire nearly the same technological advantages and fashion-forward design that the newer version offers, but for a fraction of the cost.
Functionally, the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses provide an impressively versatile set of capabilities. Much like their more recent counterpart, they allow users to enjoy music playback through discreet built-in audio, capture spontaneous photos, record crisp 1080p high-definition videos, and conduct fully hands-free phone calls. The audio clarity achieved through the five-microphone array ensures that calls and recordings sound remarkably natural. Once captured, photos and videos can be instantly uploaded through the dedicated Meta companion app, making it possible to share life’s moments in real time or even broadcast live on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. This seamless integration between hardware and social media ecosystems highlights Meta’s long-term vision of combining lifestyle with digital connectivity.
Beyond these core multimedia features, the glasses also incorporate a robust suite of artificial intelligence tools designed to enhance daily convenience. Users can activate these functions through voice commands to perform tasks like taking photos without pressing a button, retrieving historical information about landmarks they encounter, or even generating recipe suggestions based on ingredient contents already in their refrigerator. One of the standout options — real-time language translation — enables the wearer to understand or communicate across several languages, including Spanish, Italian, and French, with ease and immediacy. This particular functionality can transform travel experiences or multilingual communication, emphasizing just how practical these devices can be in cross-cultural contexts.
Moreover, Meta has confirmed that a forthcoming software update, scheduled for release later in the fall, will bring most of the same features planned for the second-generation model to owners of the original Ray-Ban Meta glasses as well. This includes innovative video options such as the new slow-motion and hyperlapse modes, which expand creative possibilities for video content, as well as the specialized ‘conversation focus’ tool designed to amplify the voice of the person you’re speaking with in noisy environments. In addition, this update will enhance the translation system, broadening its linguistic support to include German, Portuguese, and potentially other languages, thereby extending the glasses’ global usability.
The most notable hardware improvement found in the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 model lies in its substantially increased battery capacity. The updated version is capable of maintaining up to eight continuous hours of operation, supplemented by a charging case that provides approximately two additional days of runtime. In comparison, the first-generation case delivers about thirty-two extra hours of power, which, although slightly less efficient, still offers a highly practical level of endurance for daily or travel use. The newer model also introduces a modest visual upgrade: enhanced 3K-resolution video recording at 30 frames per second. However, since both generations are built around the same 12-megapixel image sensor, the visual improvement remains incremental rather than revolutionary.
Altogether, while the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses bring small refinements and greater energy efficiency, the original version continues to represent remarkable value. With nearly identical design aesthetics, an impressive range of intelligent features, and the benefit of upcoming software improvements, the first-generation model stands as an excellent and cost-effective alternative for anyone seeking stylish, high-tech eyewear.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/829574/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-gen-1-black-friday-deal-sale-2025
