Ray-Ban Meta Audio Pre-Orders Open Amid Privacy Reforms

Pre-orders for the Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses open on 13 October at a price of $349. Shipping is scheduled before the end of 2026. The device will be available in the United States and confirmed for 14 European markets, including the UK, Germany, France, and Italy. European pricing remains unannounced.

The camera-free design shift

Ray-Ban Meta Audio — available in Clubmaster and Burbank styles across 23 colour combinations.

Meta has introduced a version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses that omits the camera entirely. The move follows months of public and regulatory scrutiny tied to how users deployed the camera-equipped models. A class-action lawsuit filed in March 2026 alleged Meta misrepresented the privacy features of those devices with “designed for privacy” messaging, while contractors in Kenya reviewed sensitive footage captured by the glasses, according to Fortune. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office launched its own investigation. Some restaurants began refusing entry to patrons wearing the camera-equipped versions.

Although removing the camera eliminates one major point of liability, The National observes that broader concerns remain. These include risks associated with facial recognition technology and existing bans on wearables in certain UK venues — restrictions that apply regardless of whether the device contains a camera.

Design and specifications

The Ray-Ban Meta Audio is developed in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica. It comes in two frame styles: Clubmaster and Burbank. A total of 23 colour combinations are offered. Prescription lenses are compatible. Each frame weighs 43 grams and includes adjustable temple tips, hinged arms, and swappable nose pads.

Battery life delivers 12 hours of use per charge. With the included charging case, total playback extends to 48 hours. The built-in AI assistant is Muse — Meta’s agentic AI system capable of performing tasks such as shopping, booking services, and sending messages. Muse was rolled out earlier in September as a $20-per-month subscription service.

Pricing and market positioning

At $349, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio occupies the same price range as the camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, which retails for £299–£379 in the UK. Neither Apple nor Amazon currently offers audio-only smart glasses. This leaves Meta as the sole provider in that niche for now.

The trade-off is explicit: users gain hands-free AI functionality and open-ear audio integrated into frames resembling conventional eyewear — without the legal and social complications linked to recording capability. Whether this recalibration restores consumer confidence after the earlier controversy remains unresolved.

EU pricing and precise shipping dates for the UK and other European markets have not been confirmed at launch.