Meta’s newest cutting-edge gadget has been launched, and reviewers have voiced their thoughts on it.
The $800 Meta Ray-Ban Display eyewear, with a built-in display for the first time in Meta’s experience in developing tech eyewear, is now on the market. Numerous reviewers have taken time to experience the glasses, offering us insightful reviews to consider.
What are the reviewers saying about the Meta Ray-Ban Display eyewear? Continue reading to discover more.
Meta Ray-Ban Display review summary
The overall response is favorable, but there are notable criticisms as well.
Reviewers generally appreciate the display
The primary reason to opt for these glasses rather than the more affordable Gen 2 Meta Ray-Ban glasses is the integrated display in the right lens. They can serve as a viewfinder for photographs, a translation device, a means to read and reply to text messages, or fulfill other functions that the Meta app store (which reviewers had no access to) will present over time.
Critics mention that this feature operates effectively. Victoria Song from The Verge commended the live text captions for conversations. While it does struggle in noisy settings or when someone is out of sight, Song found it to be a compelling selling point.
“Nonetheless, it’s a scenario that feels enchanting when everything aligns,” Song expressed. “When I demonstrate the feature to my in-laws, their faces are astonished. Instantly, they think of relatives who are hard of hearing that could benefit.”
Tech Fowler, a YouTube tech review channel, also lauded the display, especially its role as a camera viewfinder. However, the review pointed out a possible issue for certain users.
“Honestly, because it’s only active in one eye, it takes a bit to adjust,” Tech Fowler’s review mentioned. “That’s because sometimes it seems a bit, I wouldn’t say blurry, but I do perceive double vision somewhat. I’m receiving an image in a single eye, and my brain is merging the images from both eyes together, resulting in some overlap in vision.”
Battery life poses a challenge
Introducing a display to any device demands attention to battery life. Initial reviews suggest that battery longevity is not a strong aspect of the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses.
Engadget’s Karissa Bell noted that Meta estimates the glasses can work for around six hours on a single charge, though this seems to be a generous evaluation, depending on display usage.
“With minimal use, I managed to extend the battery to nearly seven hours, but if you’re engaging in display-heavy tasks like video calls or live translation, it will deplete much more rapidly,” Bell explained.
Nathie, another YouTube tech review channel, provided specific insights, indicating the device lost power after approximately 3.5 hours of usage. It appears that battery life will fluctuate based on display usage, but extensive display activity significantly drains the battery.
The frames are cumbersome and raise privacy issues
Most reviews pointed out that the frames, which weigh 69g, are too heavy for all-day use. Song remarked on the weight in her review.
“At 69g, these are also excessively heavy for all-day use. My regular glasses with very thick lenses weigh 31g. I was comfortable wearing these for a few hours, but discomfort set in afterward,” Song noted. “At times, I experienced the telltale signs of a headache at the back of my head and nose bridge. The bottom of the frames also left marks on my cheeks. I tend to have dry eyes, so needing to use contacts with these daily has been extremely uncomfortable. Artificial tears assist, but the mixture of the weight, eye strain, and dry eyes has been difficult to manage.”
Tech Fowler mentioned that the Ray-Ban Display frames are about twice as heavy as standard glasses. Song also pointed out that the LED light indicating recording is too discreet in some situations, raising privacy issues akin to those encountered with Google Glass. Meta has yet to address this concern.
The neural band functions well
Meta’s latest eyewear can be operated via voice commands using Meta AI, but the display requires more precise control. The wrist-worn neural band facilitates this. It lasts an entire day and employs hand gestures to navigate the interface. Critics generally lauded the neural band.
“In over a week, it hardly ever missed a gesture, and it never inaccurately registered a gesture, despite my attempts to confuse it by fidgeting or rubbing my fingers together.”