Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Eyewear

Learn more about Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses bring together iconic Ray-Ban styling and Meta's latest wearable AI, letting you capture photos and video, take calls, listen to music and ask an AI assistant, all hands-free from a pair of frames that look like ordinary glasses. The Gen 2 range builds on the hugely popular Ray-Ban Meta with up to twice the battery life (around 8 hours of typical use), sharper 3K Ultra HD video capture and new shooting modes including slow motion and hyperlapse. At EE you'll find the full Gen 2 line-up, including the classic Wayfarer and the round Skyler, available on monthly plans and 0% APR finance, with connectivity that pairs effortlessly with your phone over WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Whether you're commuting, travelling, capturing content on the go, or simply want a discreet way to stay connected without reaching for your phone, these are smart glasses designed to keep up with your day, backed by EE's award-winning network, with 5G+ now reaching 75% of the UK population across more than 610 towns and cities.

Things to consider

Before choosing your Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses, it's worth weighing a few practical factors to make sure you pick the right frame, lens and plan for how you'll use them day to day.

Frame style and fit. The Gen 2 range comes in 3 signature shapes: the classic Wayfarer, the round Skyler and the Headliner. Wayfarers offer Standard and Large sizes to suit different head shapes, Headliners come in High and Low bridge fits, and the Skyler is a one-size frame. Because you'll be wearing these for hours at a time, getting the right fit matters as much as the look. Consider bridge height and frame width, especially if you plan to wear them with prescription lenses.

Lens options. Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses are available with a range of lens types, including standard tinted sunglasses, clear lenses for indoor and evening use, and Transitions lenses that adapt to changing light. If you need vision correction, most frames can be fitted with prescription lenses through Ray-Ban's partner opticians, so think about whether you want sun, clear, photochromic or prescription lenses before you buy.

Battery life and charging. Gen 2 delivers up to 8 hours of typical use, roughly double the original, with the charging case providing up to 48 hours of extra power on the go. A 20-minute top-up takes the glasses to 50%. If you're a heavy user who records lots of video or streams music for long stretches, factor in how often you'll be near the case to recharge.

Camera and content capture. The 12MP ultra-wide camera shoots 3K video and photos hands-free from your point of view, with 32GB of onboard storage (around 500 photos or 100 30-second clips). If capturing content for social media or travel is your main reason for buying, the sharper Gen 2 sensor and slow-motion and hyperlapse modes will matter more to you than if you mainly want them for calls and audio.

Audio and calls. Open-ear speakers and a 5-microphone array handle music, podcasts and hands-free calls without anything in your ears, keeping you aware of your surroundings. Audio is generally private at moderate volumes but can be faintly heard by people very close by at higher volumes, worth noting for open-plan offices or quiet commutes.

Durability. An IPX4 rating means the glasses resist splashes, sweat and light rain, so they're fine for everyday UK weather and outdoor activity, but they're not designed for swimming or submersion.

Connectivity and compatibility. The glasses pair with your phone over WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 and work with both iOS and Android. A fast, reliable mobile connection on your phone helps when uploading video, streaming or using Meta AI on the move, another reason to pair them with an EE plan on the UK's best network.

Price and finance. At EE, Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses start from £24 a month or £409 to £459 outright, with 0% APR finance available over 3 to 48 months through EE Finance. Think about whether you'd prefer to spread the cost interest-free or pay upfront, and check whether you qualify as an existing EE customer for any bundled offers.

Frequently asked questions

What are smart glasses?

Smart glasses are eyewear with built-in technology that lets you capture photos and video, listen to audio, take calls and use a voice assistant, all without reaching for your phone. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses look like regular Ray-Ban frames but house a 12MP ultra-wide camera, open-ear speakers, microphones and Meta AI inside the arms. They connect to your phone via WiFi and Bluetooth, so you can stay present in the moment while staying connected. They do not have a screen or display in the lenses, so your view stays clear and unobstructed.

What is the difference between Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 and Gen 1?

The biggest upgrades in Gen 2 are battery life and video quality. Gen 2 lasts up to 8 hours on a single charge, almost double the 4 hours of Gen 1, and the charging case provides an additional 48 hours compared to 32 hours on Gen 1. Video capture jumps from 1440 x 1920 at 30 frames per second on Gen 1 to up to 3K at 30 frames per second on Gen 2, with more than twice as many pixels. Both generations share the same 12MP camera sensor, 32GB of storage and core Meta AI features, so Gen 1 owners do not necessarily need to upgrade unless longer battery life and sharper video matter to them.

What is 3K video and how does the camera help with content capture?

3K video refers to footage with a resolution of up to 2203 x 2938, which is more than double the pixels of the previous generation's 1080p recording. The 12MP ultra-wide camera lets you capture photos and video hands-free from your point of view, ideal for commuting, travel, concerts and everyday moments you want to share. Gen 2 also supports 1080p recording at up to 60 frames per second, with hyperlapse and slow motion modes available via software update. Videos record in a vertical format suited to social media, and the camera automatically straightens footage based on the level of your head.

How long does the battery last and are the glasses water resistant?

A fully charged pair of Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses lasts up to 8 hours with typical use, or around 5 hours of continuous audio playback or voice calling. The charging case adds up to 48 hours of extra charge on the go, and a 20-minute charge tops the glasses up to 50%. The glasses carry an IPX4 water resistance rating, meaning they can handle splashes, sweat and light rain, but they are not designed for swimming or submersion. This makes them suitable for outdoor adventures and everyday wear in changeable weather.

What is open-ear audio and can I take hands-free calls?

Open-ear audio uses discreet speakers built into the glasses arms to play music, podcasts and call audio without putting anything inside your ears. This keeps you aware of your surroundings while you listen, which is useful for commuting and walking in busy areas. The glasses have 2 open-ear speakers and 5 microphones for clear voice calls and voice commands. At higher volumes people nearby may hear faint sound, but at moderate levels the audio is generally private and unobtrusive.

What is the Meta AI assistant and what can it do?

Meta AI is a voice-activated assistant built into the glasses that you trigger by saying "Hey Meta" or by tapping and holding the touchpad on the arm. You can ask it questions, get directions, control music, set reminders and capture photos or video using just your voice. Live translation is a standout feature for travel, translating conversations in real time across languages including French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, with translations played through the open-ear speakers. You can also ask Meta AI to translate written text such as menus and street signs that you are looking at.

What does 0% APR finance mean and how does EE Finance work?

0% APR means you pay no interest on your finance agreement, so you spread the cost of the glasses without paying more than the retail price. At EE you can spread the cost with EE Finance over 3 to 48 months, with APR ranging from 0% to 19.9% representative depending on the term and your status. For example, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Skyler at £379 can be paid at around £10.22 a month at 0% APR. EE Finance is provided by Glow Financial Services Limited under brand licence through EE Limited, and finance is subject to status and terms.

What is 5G+ and how does it help when using smart glasses on the go?

5G+ is EE's most powerful form of 5G connectivity, built on standalone 5G architecture rather than relying on the older 4G core. It delivers faster speeds, lower latency and a more reliable connection in busy places such as train stations, city centres and stadiums, where standard 5G can slow down. While the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses connect to your phone via WiFi and Bluetooth, a fast and reliable 5G+ connection on your EE phone helps when uploading captured video, streaming music or using Meta AI features on the move. 5G+ can also extend your phone's battery life by up to 3 hours compared to standard 5G.