Oakley Meta Eyewear

Learn more about Oakley Meta smart glasses

Oakley Meta smart glasses bring together Oakley's decades of sports-performance eyewear heritage and Meta's AI intelligence to create a new category of hands-free, wearable tech designed for active lifestyles. Available in 2 distinct models, the performance-focused Vanguard and the all-day lifestyle HSTN, these AI-powered glasses let you capture photos and 3K video, listen to music through open-ear speakers, take calls, get live translation and access Meta AI insights using simple voice commands, all without reaching for your phone. Whether you're cycling, running, hiking, commuting or travelling, features like Autocapture, Garmin and Strava integration, Prizm and Transitions lens options and IP67 water resistance keep you connected and in the moment. At EE, we pair wearables like Oakley Meta with the UK's best mobile network. Our 5G+ coverage is now available to 75% of the UK population (over 44 million people), with 4G coverage reaching more than 99% of the population, so your smart glasses stay reliably connected wherever your day takes you.

Things to consider

Before choosing your Oakley Meta smart glasses, it helps to understand the factors that set the models apart and how they fit into your daily routine. Here are the most important things to weigh up before you buy.

Choose the right model for your activity level

Oakley Meta comes in 2 distinct models, each built for a different lifestyle. The Oakley Meta Vanguard is the performance choice, with a wraparound shield design, IP67 water and dust resistance, a wider 122-degree camera field of view and up to 9 hours of battery, making it ideal for high-intensity sports like running, cycling, hiking and skiing. The Oakley Meta HSTN is the lifestyle choice, built around the bold HSTN frame for all-day comfort and low-impact activity, with up to 8 hours of use, 19 hours of standby and an IPX4 splash-resistance rating. Think about where and how you will wear them most before deciding.

Fit, comfort and wearability

Both models use Oakley's sports-performance frame engineering, but the fit differs. The Vanguard's wraparound design and Three-Point Fit system are optimised to stay secure under cycling helmets and hats, so it holds firm through fast movement and sweat. The HSTN offers a more relaxed, everyday fit suited to longer periods of casual wear. If you plan to wear your glasses for extended daily use rather than intense training sessions, the HSTN's lighter feel may suit you better. Note that prescription lens support is currently limited, so check compatibility if you wear corrective lenses.

Camera and capture quality

Both models feature a 12MP camera, but the positioning and field of view differ. The Vanguard has a centre-mounted camera on the nose bridge with a 122-degree field of view, giving a more balanced first-person perspective that is especially useful when your hands are on the handlebars. The HSTN's camera offers a 100-degree field of view. Both record in Ultra HD 3K video at 30fps, with additional modes including 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 120fps for slow motion. If hands-free capture during sport is a priority, the Vanguard's wider view and Autocapture mode give it the edge.

Battery life and charging

Battery needs vary depending on how you use your glasses. The Vanguard delivers up to 9 hours of typical use and 6 hours of continuous music playback, with a charging case providing up to 36 hours of extra power. The HSTN offers up to 8 hours of typical use and 19 hours of standby, with a charging case that delivers up to 48 hours of on-the-go charging. Both support fast charging, reaching 50% in around 20 minutes. If you need all-day stamina without access to a charger, the HSTN's higher-capacity case may be more practical.

Water and dust resistance

Consider the environments you will be in. The Vanguard's IP67 rating means it is fully dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water, making it the better choice for rugged outdoor conditions, heavy rain and water sports. The HSTN's IPX4 rating handles sweat and light rain, which is sufficient for everyday activity and low-impact exercise but not for full immersion. Match the rating to the conditions you expect to encounter.

Lens options and light conditions

Both models offer Oakley Prizm lens technology and Transitions lens options. Prizm lenses enhance colour and contrast for specific environments, with variants like Prizm Road, Prizm Sapphire and Prizm Ruby suited to different activities and light levels. Transitions lenses automatically darken outdoors and clear indoors, adapting to changing conditions. Think about whether you need sport-specific tinting, adaptive lenses for variable light, or polarised options for glare reduction.

Smart features and app integration

Both models run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 platform and feature the Meta AI voice assistant, open-ear speakers, a 5-microphone array, live translation and hands-free communication. The Vanguard adds deeper sport integration, connecting with compatible Garmin devices to show live training data such as heart rate and pace, plus Strava and Apple Health syncing for workout overlays and activity summaries. If performance tracking and data integration matter to you, the Vanguard is the stronger choice. Both connect over WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 and work with iOS 15.2 and up or Android 10 and up.

Pricing and finance

Oakley Meta smart glasses are available on EE from £28 a month, or £26 a month for EE Mobile customers, with a cash price from £279 (saving £120) or £499 full price. EE offers 0% APR finance options to spread the cost over 3 to 48 months, subject to status and order value. EE Mobile customers can also add the glasses to their monthly mobile bill with no fees, no interest and no credit check. Consider whether you prefer to pay upfront, spread the cost interest-free, or bundle the cost into your existing EE Mobile plan.

Network coverage

Because Oakley Meta smart glasses rely on a Bluetooth connection to your phone for features like calls, music, Meta AI and sharing, the strength of your mobile network matters. EE is the UK's best mobile network, with 5G+ available to 75% of the UK population (over 44 million people) and 4G coverage reaching more than 99% of the population, so your connected eyewear stays reliably online wherever your day takes you.

Frequently asked questions

Oakley Meta Vanguard

What is the Oakley Meta Vanguard and who is it designed for?

The Oakley Meta Vanguard is a screen-free pair of AI smart glasses built for high-intensity sport and active lifestyles. Designed jointly by Oakley and Meta, it combines a wraparound sports frame with a 12MP centre-mounted camera, open-ear speakers, a 5-microphone array with wind reduction and the Meta AI voice assistant, all powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 platform. It is aimed at outdoor athletes such as runners, cyclists, hikers and skiers who want to capture first-person footage, take calls, listen to music and get real-time performance insights without reaching for a phone. With an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, a 9-hour battery and Oakley's Three-Point Fit system optimised for cycling helmets and hats, it is engineered to stay secure and keep working through sweat, rain and long training sessions.

What is 0% APR finance and how does it work when buying the Oakley Meta Vanguard on EE?

0% APR finance means you can spread the cost of your purchase over a set number of months without paying any interest, so the total you repay is the same as the cash price. On EE, you can pay for the Oakley Meta Vanguard with finance options ranging from 0% to 19.9% APR over 3 to 48 months, subject to status and order value. For example, on a £500 order at 0% APR representative (fixed), you could pay £50 today then 12 monthly payments of £37.50, with a total cost of credit of £0. EE Mobile customers can also add the glasses to their monthly mobile bill, with options such as £4 today then £45 a month for 11 months, totalling £499 with no fees, no interest and no credit check. This makes it easier to budget for the glasses without paying the full amount upfront.

How does the Oakley Meta Vanguard compare to the Ray-Ban Meta and the Oakley Meta HSTN?

All 3 run on the same Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 platform and share a 12MP camera, open-ear speakers and the Meta AI assistant, but they are built for different users. The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) skews toward everyday life, with a discreet classic frame and an IPX4 splash-resistance rating, making it the most affordable and versatile option for daily wear. The Oakley Meta HSTN sits in the middle, offering a sturdier frame, selected Prizm or Transitions lens options and up to 8 hours of typical use, suiting people who move between sport and daily wear. The Oakley Meta Vanguard is the performance choice, with a wraparound shield design, an IP67 rating for full dust and water resistance, a wider 122-degree camera field of view versus the HSTN's 100 degrees, the longest battery life at up to 9 hours and dedicated Garmin and Strava integration. Choose the Vanguard for stability and weather resistance, the HSTN for a balance of sport and everyday use, and the Ray-Ban Meta for discreet, everyday style.

What are the key camera and battery features of the Oakley Meta Vanguard?

The Oakley Meta Vanguard features a 12MP centre-mounted camera on the nose bridge with a 122-degree wide-angle field of view, giving a natural first-person viewpoint for photos and video. It can shoot photos at 3024 x 4032 pixels and record video at up to 3K at 30fps, with additional modes including 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps for slow motion and hyperlapse for time-lapse footage. A new Autocapture mode can start recording automatically based on your activity, and a programmable action button lets you launch capture modes, summon Meta AI, or get a readout of your Garmin stats. Battery life is up to 9 hours of typical use on a single charge, with 6 hours of continuous music playback, and the charging case provides up to 36 hours of extra power. A quick charge delivers 50% battery in 20 minutes, so you can top up between sessions.

How do the Garmin, Strava and Apple Health integrations work for athletes?

The Oakley Meta Vanguard connects with Garmin, Strava and Apple Health to turn your glasses into a hands-free training companion. With a compatible Garmin device, you can ask Meta AI for real-time performance insights such as heart rate, pace, cadence and distance, and use Autocapture mode to start recording automatically when your workout begins. Strava integration lets you overlay workout data on your captured images and share achievements directly to your social feeds, while Apple Health syncs your activity metrics across your devices. To use Garmin integration, you need a compatible Garmin watch connected in the Meta AI app and the Meta AI app installed from the Garmin ConnectIQ store on the watch. These integrations are designed for endurance athletes who want to track, capture and share their training without breaking stride to check a phone or watch.

Oakley Meta HSTN

What is 0% APR finance and how does it work with the Oakley Meta HSTN?

0% APR finance means you can spread the cost of your Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses over a set number of months without paying any interest on top of the device price. With EE Finance you can pay by card, PayPal, or spread the cost over 3 to 48 months, terms apply. The Oakley Meta HSTN is available on EE from £28 a month, or £26 a month for EE Mobile customers, with a cash price from £279 (saving £120) or £499 full price. Choosing 0% APR lets you budget in manageable monthly payments rather than paying the full amount upfront, and because the rate is 0% you pay back exactly the cost of the glasses with no added interest.

What does SIM-free mean?

It means the phone is unlocked and ready to use on any network. These days, phones aren't locked to networks, so you can choose the phone you want and pay the way that suits you. Pay by card, PayPal, or spread the cost with EE Finance over 3 to 48 months. Terms apply.

How do the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses compare to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?

Both the Oakley Meta HSTN and the Ray-Ban Meta share the same core Meta intelligence, including a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 100-degree field of view, a 5-microphone array, open-ear speakers and the Meta AI voice assistant. The key differences are in video quality, battery life and styling. The Oakley Meta HSTN records in Ultra HD 3K video at 30 frames per second, sharper than the 1080p capture on the Ray-Ban Meta, and it can also shoot 720p video at a smooth 120 frames per second. Battery life is a major advantage for the Oakley, delivering up to 8 hours of typical use and up to 19 hours on standby, roughly double the Ray-Ban Meta's 4 hours. The Oakley also carries an IPX4 water resistance rating for added durability during low-impact activity, and it uses Oakley Prizm lens technology and Transitions lens options tuned for sport and outdoor settings. The Ray-Ban Meta offers a wider choice of frame styles at a lower starting price, while the Oakley Meta HSTN is built around the bold HSTN frame for a more athletic, performance-led look.

What are the key features of the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses?

The Oakley Meta HSTN combines a bold HSTN frame with a built-in 12MP camera offering a 100-degree field of view, Ultra HD 3K video recording at 30 frames per second and 720p video at 120 frames per second. Audio is handled by 2 open-ear speakers repositioned to direct sound toward your ears with less leakage, plus a 5-microphone array for clear calls and voice commands. The Meta AI voice assistant supports hands-free communication, live translation and voice-controlled capture, so you can ask questions, translate conversations and record moments without reaching for your phone. The glasses are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 platform, connect over WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 and include 32GB of storage for photos and video. An IPX4 water resistance rating helps them stand up to sweat and light rain, and lens options include Prizm and Transitions styles for different light conditions. They pair directly with your phone via Bluetooth and work with iOS 15.2 and up or Android 10 and up.

How long does the battery last and how does charging work?

A fully charged pair of Oakley Meta HSTN glasses lasts up to 8 hours of typical use and up to 19 hours on standby, enough for an all-day outing or a long training session. Fast charging is built in, so you can reach 50% charge in just 20 minutes. The glasses also come with a charging case that delivers up to 48 hours of charging on the go, letting you top up multiple times before you need to find a power outlet. When the case itself runs low, simply plug it in to recharge both the case and the stored glasses ready for your next adventure.