Meta unveils its new Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses for athletes

During the Meta Connect 2025 event, held on Wednesday, Meta introduced the revolutionary Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses tailored specifically for athletes, including runners and cyclists. Priced at $499, these innovative glasses are set to hit the market on October 21. Breaking away from traditional designs, the Oakley Meta Vanguard features a large, unified front lens rather than the dual-camera setup seen in earlier models. With the capability to capture stunning video at 3K resolution, these glasses are equipped with a powerful 12-megapixel camera and a wide 122-degree lens. One standout feature is the programmable button that activates a customizable AI prompt through the Meta AI app. Designed with athletes in mind, all buttons are strategically located underneath the frame, ensuring comfort even when wearing helmets. With an impressive battery life of up to nine hours and six hours of continuous music playback, the glasses come with a charging case that can extend usage by an additional 36 hours. A quick 20-minute charge can replenish the glasses to 50% capacity. Meta has highlighted the enhanced audio experience, with open-ear speakers that are six decibels louder than those found in the Oakley Meta HSTN model. The glasses also boast a five-microphone array designed to minimize wind noise during calls and AI interactions. Rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, they are built to withstand rigorous workout conditions. The wraparound design incorporates Oakley PRIZMTM Lens technology, effectively shielding users from sun, wind, and dust. In a nod to athletic functionality, the glasses can integrate seamlessly with Garmin smartwatches, allowing users to access vital stats like heart rate and pace during activities. Additionally, they can connect with Strava, enabling users to overlay performance metrics onto their videos and photos for easy sharing with the Strava community. Available in four stylish frame and lens combinations, including options like Oakley Meta Vanguard Black with PRIZMTM 24K and Oakley Meta Vanguard White with PRIZMTM Sapphire, these glasses will initially be sold in various countries, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., and several others, with plans to expand to Mexico, India, Brazil, and the UAE later this year. This announcement follows the earlier release of Meta's Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses, which were introduced as the company’s first offering for athletes and fans. Furthermore, Meta also unveiled new Ray-Ban smart glasses featuring a built-in display and a wristband for enhanced control, alongside the Ray-Ban Meta 2, boasting double the battery life and improved 3K Ultra HD video capabilities.