Why the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 Smartglasses Still Pay Off in 2026

Smartglasses seldom stay in style for this long, but the first Ray-Ban Meta model, priced at $247 (was $329), continues to draw those looking for the full experience without breaking the bank. Let’s start with how they look, because that’s the first thing that may turn some people off, but these frames fit just like old Ray-Bans, so if you put them on, no one will notice.

The Wayfarer fits easily into your daily wear, whether you’re heading to work or getting a coffee on the weekend. They stay comfortable for hours at a weight of more than 50 grams, and the open-air speakers fit snugly against your temple. Music plays loud and clear without drowning out the environment around you, and phone calls are clear with no echo or background noise.

When it comes to what these glasses excel at, camera performance is the true standout feature. With a simple double tap, you can take a 12-megapixel photo, and the ultra-wide lens captures the entire scene, even if you’re attempting to get a close-up of something. Video captures in full 1080p at a clean 30 frames per second, which is more than adequate for brief clips of children playing, a trip along a trail, or conference notes. The Meta View software transfers files to your phone, allowing you to share them with ease. People are pleased that the image quality holds up for social postings, family photos, and even casual content creation.

The battery life is surprisingly good, with these glasses lasting roughly 4 hours on a full charge, and the small carrying case adds another 32 hours of life. So, if you remember to put them in the case at lunch or after your morning commute, they’ll be OK. Most people charge the case overnight and forget about it, keeping things simple. The newer version doubles that lead time, but the older type won’t leave customers high and dry if they remember to put the glasses back in the case after long periods of use.

Meta continues to update the software on both first and second generation glasses, ensuring that the older model receives the same AI benefits as the newer model. Want to know the answer to a question? Simply ask aloud, and the built-in helper will perform its job. Live translation still works well in talks with non-native speakers; simply ask it to translate in real time, and it will do the work for you. Because the hardware in both devices is nearly identical, voice commands can handle simple tasks such as beginning a music or ending a call. This means that users of older glasses are not missing out on anything significant.