Next-Gen Meta Smart Glasses Could Launch in September (and Will Cost Less Than Expected)
The next generation of Meta smart glasses may arrive sooner than expected, and at a lower price. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman , Meta plans to release smart glasses with a built-in display by the end of September, and the company expects to price the next generation of glasses at $800.
What can you do with Hypernova glasses?
Codenamed “Hypernova,” the glasses will reportedly have all the features of Ray-Ban and Oakley’s Meta glasses , but with a separate display for notifications and mini-apps that will be visible to the user on the side of the right lens and controlled by the band. The Hypernova glasses will reportedly come with apps for taking photos, viewing media, maps, and notifications. These aren’t the full-fledged augmented reality glasses that the company is developing; rather, they represent a transition between Meta’s current AI- and audio-focused glasses and the future of augmented reality .
Previous estimates had the glasses priced between $1,000 and $1,400, but according to Gurman’s report, Meta is planning to set the minimum price at $800, accepting a smaller profit margin in exchange for increased demand. By comparison, Apple’s iPhone 16 sells for about the same price as the Hypernova , a pair of Meta Ray-Bans starts at $299, and the XReal One Pro smart glasses start at $649.
What does Meta’s lower than expected price mean?
The relatively low price is important. It’s a signal that Meta is targeting the mass market, rather than enthusiasts looking for a cutting-edge, expensive device like the Apple Vision Pro . Whether $800 smart glasses can move beyond novelty status and become everyday tech for the masses remains to be seen, but the Meta Ray-Bans are excellent . These smart glasses have been part of my daily wardrobe for almost a year now and have become indispensable. If the optional Hypernova display is as useful and convenient as the Meta Ray-Bans’ camera and AI, these glasses could really take off.
The lower price will also help tie users into Meta’s app and service infrastructure. Hypernova won’t just be a hardware solution; it will undoubtedly be a gateway to WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Meta’s AI. The company appears to be betting that consumers will gradually become accustomed to smart glasses, from audio and cameras to notifications and mini-apps, and eventually full-fledged augmented reality. Whether consumers see $800 as a fair price will determine whether Hypernova becomes just another gadget or the first step toward making smart glasses as ubiquitous as smartphones are today.