Meta launched two new Ray-Ban smart glasses in March 2026 designed specifically for prescription wearers, addressing the single biggest gap in the product line since the first generation launched. The new models look and feel like standard prescription eyewear while carrying the same AI hardware as the regular Ray-Ban Meta frames. Meta AI can handle live translation, visual recognition, and hands-free WhatsApp summaries directly through the glasses.

The prescription variants are available in two styles. The “Apparel” version prioritises extended battery life and the full set of AI features. The “Bellini” version is built for a more discreet everyday look, with a slimmer profile and a design closer to conventional prescription frames. Both models record video at Full HD at 30 frames per second, with up to five minutes of continuous recording per clip.

New AI capabilities added alongside the prescription launch include a nutrition tracking feature that lets wearers log meals hands-free by taking a quick photo, with Meta AI extracting the nutritional data and adding it to a food log. WhatsApp integration now allows users to ask for a summary of group chat messages without reaching for their phone. Real-time language translation remains one of the more practically useful features in daily use scenarios.

The prescription models require a valid prescription from an optometrist, which buyers can submit through Meta’s online store or partner retailers. Lens options include single vision, progressive, and reading configurations. Pricing is higher than the standard Ray-Ban Meta line due to the prescription manufacturing process.

Meta’s Gen 3 smart glasses, expected later in 2026, are rumoured to include an improved Qualcomm Snapdragon AR chipset and six to eight hours of battery life. The prescription launch was positioned as an expansion of the current Gen 2 hardware while the next generation is in development.