Meta is hosting its annual Connect conference this week, with all eyes on its next-generation smart glasses.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to unveil the company’s most advanced wearable yet, marking a clear shift from VR headsets to AI-powered eyewear.

The highlight is expected to be the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, which feature a small heads-up display in the right lens.

The glasses will be paired with a wristband that uses surface electromyography (sEMG) technology to read electrical signals from hand movements, allowing users to interact with the device through gestures.

Meta and EssilorLuxottica’s full lineup

The technology comes from CTRL-Labs, a startup Meta acquired in 2019 which was previously demonstrated in Meta’s Orion augmented reality glasses.

The new smart glasses are expected to retail for around $800 (A$1,200), heavier and chunkier than existing Ray-Ban Meta models.

Meta is reportedly also preparing third-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and new Oakley Sphaera wraparound glasses with built-in cameras, building on the success of its AI-enabled eyewear line.

EssilorLuxottica, which produces the Ray-Ban Metas, said it has sold over 2 million pairs, making smart glasses a rare commercial win for Meta’s Reality Labs.

While new Quest VR headsets are not expected this year, Meta is continuing to license its Horizon OS to partners like Lenovo and Asus, hinting at future VR hardware developments.

AI remains central to Meta’s strategy.

The company recently launched a standalone Meta AI app for its smart glasses, letting users explore AI-generated content and interact with AI features more seamlessly.

Analysts say smart glasses could become a key portal for AI interaction, potentially surpassing smartphones for some functions.

Meta has already inadvertently teased its own announcements, removing a YouTube video showing the Ray-Ban Display and Oakley Sphaera glasses ahead of the event.

The Connect 2025 keynote is expected to officially reveal the devices and give a glimpse of how Meta plans to integrate AI and wearable tech in daily life.

Analysts say the glasses represent a “middle ground” between mass-market smart eyewear and high-end experimental AR prototypes and could define Meta’s next big consumer push.