Hands-free, AI-driven, and stylish: Priced at Dh1,330, are Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses making life easy?

You know that feeling when you unwrap a shiny new toy and instantly want to show it off? That’s exactly what the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses feel like to me—except this isn’t just any toy. It’s wearable tech that walks the fine line between futuristic and fashionable.

Meta and EssilorLuxottica’s latest offering—now officially launched across the UAE—blends Ray-Ban’s iconic eyewear with artificial intelligence, multimedia functionality, and hands-free freedom. And as someone constantly juggling calls, catching up on headlines, capturing fleeting moments, and toggling between apps—these glasses feel like a low-key Jarvis wrapped in Shiny Chalky Grey. Yes, I made an Iron-Man reference.

One of the first things I noticed (and loved) was the open-ear speaker system. It’s discreet, non-invasive, and surprisingly punchy—especially the bass. The medium volume setting is ideal: loud enough to enjoy your music or podcast, but soft enough to still hear the world around you. Whether I’m walking between meetings, heading to interviews, or just grabbing coffee, I don’t need to pull out earbuds anymore.

Phone calls? Crystal clear. Even in the middle of a busy street, the five-mic array filters out enough noise to keep conversations sharp and easy.

Photo and video capture is another standout. The 12MP ultra-wide camera delivers immersive, portrait-oriented 1080p videos—perfect for social media content or just reliving your day through your own eyes.

But here’s a small gripe: it would be nice to have different aspect ratios—portrait mode is the default, and in my opinion, it limits creative flexibility. Different formats would definitely open up even more storytelling options.

What really excited me? Livestreaming. The ability to broadcast directly to Instagram or Facebook Live, hands-free, for up to 30 minutes—that’s a dream for creators, reporters, and influencers alike. It gives viewers your literal point of view, with zero fuss.

"Hey Meta"

Let’s talk about the built-in Meta AI. It responds instantly when you say “Hey Meta” and can tell you anything from local news to a landmark’s backstory. As a journalist, I tested its usefulness by asking about trending headlines in Dubai and globally. While the info wasn’t always laser-accurate, it was never false—just a little fuzzy around the edges.

Still, the very fact that I can now ask my glasses what’s happening in the world and get a solid answer in real-time? That’s wild.

Even cooler: Meta promises more updates, including live translation (coming soon to the UAE) and offline voice support with pre-downloaded language packs. This isn’t just tech for today—it’s a platform that’s learning, adapting, and becoming more useful with time.

The one feature I’d fix

While the features work well, one thing bugged me: the glasses respond to any voice. So if your friend borrows them and says “Hey Meta,” the AI answers them just as it would you. Voice recognition limited to the primary wearer would be a logical next step — both for privacy and a more personalised experience.

The Ray-Ban Meta collection brings together form, function, and future-thinking in one stylish package. Add in prescription, sun, clear, polarised or Transitions lenses, and it becomes even more personal.

Starting at Dh1,330 in the UAE, this isn’t just a pair of smart glasses—it’s a statement. A hint of what’s next. And while we’re still far from holographic projections or full-fledged Iron Man tech, this is a promising prototype of what’s to come.

Final verdict? A smart, sleek, and surprisingly capable everyday wearable that makes you feel just a little bit like Tony Stark — without needing a billion-dollar lab.