Meta and Oakley have unveiled the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses, positioning them as “Performance AI glasses” designed specifically for athletes with significant improvements in battery life and camera capabilities over previous Meta eyewear.

The HSTN glasses (pronounced HOW-stuhn) feature an eight-hour typical use battery life and up to 19 hours on standby, nearly doubling the four-hour typical use capacity of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

The included charging case provides an additional 40 hours of power, with rapid charging capabilities delivering 50% battery in 22 minutes and 80% in 45 minutes.

The glasses incorporate a 12MP camera positioned in the top-right frame corner, capable of capturing 3K resolution Ultra HD video.

This represents an improvement over the Ray-Ban Meta’s 1,440 x 1,920 recording resolution, targeting content creators and athletes seeking higher-quality footage.

A capture LED located in the opposite corner illuminates during recording or live streaming to alert others when video capture is active.

The system prevents recording if the LED is blocked, maintaining transparency about recording activities.

Meta AI voice assistance enables hands-free operation, allowing users to initiate recording and other functions through voice commands.

The glasses include built-in open-ear speakers for music, podcasts, and phone calls while maintaining awareness of the surrounding environment.

IPX4 water resistance rating protects against splashing water and sweat, making the glasses suitable for athletic activities and outdoor use.

The performance-oriented design targets active users requiring durable, hands-free recording capabilities.

The Oakley Meta HSTN will retail for US$399 and launch in 15 countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, later this summer.

Additional markets, including India, Mexico, and the UAE, will receive the glasses later in 2025.

A limited edition Desert 24k Prizm Polar version will be available from July 11 for US$499, targeting early adopters and collectors seeking premium colour-way options.

The collaboration expands Meta’s smart glasses portfolio beyond the Ray-Ban partnership, targeting athletic and performance markets with enhanced durability and extended battery life.

The HSTN glasses address previous limitations of smart eyewear, including battery longevity and video quality.

The performance focus distinguishes the Oakley collaboration from fashion-oriented smart glasses, emphasising functionality for active users requiring reliable, hands-free recording and communication capabilities during sports and outdoor activities.

The launch represents Meta’s continued investment in wearable technology as the company pursues augmented reality and metaverse initiatives through practical consumer devices.