Meta's first Oakley AI-powered glasses have 3K videos, longer battery life: Check launch date, price

Facebook parent company Meta Friday said it has teamed up with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, expanding its push into wearable tech after the success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. This is Meta's first set of Oakley-branded smart glasses, touting upgraded camera and battery performance over its current crop of Ray-Bans.

With Meta expected to face fierce competition in coming months from Google, Apple, smart glasses could be the next big platform for AI interaction. "Oakley Meta glasses are a new product line that will combine Oakley’s signature design DNA with Meta’s industry-leading technology to give you deeper insights into your physical capabilities and help you share your biggest wins—on and off the field. The line will launch in a new global campaign starring Team Oakley athletes: World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes," a statement from Meta read.

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Oakley Meta HSTN glasses: Launch date and price

The new glasses, dubbed the Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn), come in a variety of lens and frame color combinations. The limited-edition product will be available for preorder starting July 11 at $499, with additional products starting at $399 launching later this summer. Though initial sales will be for a special-edition version that costs $499. It also carries an IPX4 water resistance rating, making it suitable for outdoor and active use.

Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Meta said it is also working to bring Oakley Meta HSTN to Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later this year.

Key features of Meta AI-powered glasses

A fully charged pair of Oakley Meta HSTN glasses can last up to eight hours of typical use and up to 19 hours on standby, the company said. You can charge them up to 50% in just 20 minutes. The glasses also come with a charging case that can deliver up to 48 hours of charging on the go. Like the Ray-Bans, the glasses can take photos and videos, play audio and connect to Meta's AI assistant.

The Oakley Meta glasses also increase the recording resolution from 1080p on the Ray-Ban model to 3K. The device retains the core features of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, such as integrated open-ear speakers, dual built-in microphones, and Meta AI for voice-activated assistance for tasks such as initiating video recording, streaming music, checking environmental conditions, and answering questions.

The glasses are designed with sport and outdoor use in mind. They are rated IPX4 for water resistance, meaning they are protected against sweat and light splashes. Oakley's wraparound frame design is retained to provide a secure fit during physical activity.

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Oakley Meta HSTN can capture the user's activity and share the achievements in Ultra HD (3K) video. The Oakley Meta HSTN will debut this month at several major sporting events including Fanatics Fest and UFC International Fight Week.

Smaller rival Snap said earlier this month it would launch its smart glasses, called Specs, for consumers next year. Companies such as Google are also exploring similar investments. Meta has a broad partnership with Italian eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, which controls both the Oakley and Ray-Ban brands.