Meta unveils Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses for athletes at $499, launching October 21

At the recent Meta Connect 2025 event, Meta unveiled the Oakley Meta Vanguard, an innovative line of smart glasses tailored for runners, cyclists, and outdoor adventurers. Priced at $499 (approximately ₹43,500 in India), these glasses are set to hit the market on October 21. This launch follows the earlier release of the Oakley Meta HSTN just three months ago, but the Vanguard model enhances the athletic experience with greater durability, superior cameras, and integration with various fitness platforms. The Oakley Meta Vanguard boasts impressive features including a unified front lens equipped with a 12MP wide-angle camera capable of capturing 3K video. Additionally, a programmable AI button allows users to activate custom commands through the Meta AI app. The device also includes open-ear speakers that are six decibels louder than its predecessor, the HSTN, and a five-microphone array designed to reduce wind noise, ensuring clearer calls and voice commands. With a battery life of nine hours (six hours for music playback) and the option to extend it by an additional 36 hours with the charging case, these glasses are built for endurance. Athletes will appreciate the rapid charging capability, allowing the glasses to reach 50% battery in just 20 minutes. The Oakley Meta Vanguard is also IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, marking the highest rating yet for Meta's smart glasses. In terms of functionality, the glasses sync seamlessly with Garmin smartwatches to deliver real-time metrics such as pace and heart rate. They also connect with Strava, enabling users to overlay performance data on photos and videos before sharing them with their communities. The wraparound Oakley PRIZMTM lens technology offers protection against sunlight, wind, and dust, enhancing the outdoor training experience. The Oakley Meta Vanguard will be available in four distinct variants: Black with PRIZMTM 24K, White with PRIZMTM Black, Black with PRIZMTM Road, and White with PRIZMTM Sapphire. The initial launch phase will cover regions including the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, with a second phase scheduled to include Mexico, India, Brazil, and the UAE later this year. Alongside the Vanguard, Meta also presented the Ray-Ban Meta 2, which features double the battery life of its predecessor and supports 3K Ultra HD video, as well as Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses that come with a built-in lens display for apps, directions, and live translations.