Meta is finally bringing its AI-powered smart glasses to Malaysia, giving local consumers access to a new range of connected eyewear developed together with EssilorLuxottica. The technology will arrive under two familiar eyewear brands: Ray-Ban and Oakley. Meta confirmed four models for the Malaysian market, covering both everyday lifestyle use and more performance-focused sports applications.
The lineup consists of the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), Ray-Ban Meta Optics (Gen 2), Oakley Meta HSTN, and Oakley Meta Vanguard. All four models combine cameras, microphones, open-ear audio and Meta AI features into conventional-looking eyewear, allowing users to capture content, listen to audio and interact with an AI assistant without constantly reaching for their phones.
Meta's Smart Glasses Finally Arrive In Malaysia
Meta's partnership with EssilorLuxottica has been central to its smart glasses strategy. Instead of creating an entirely new eyewear brand, Meta integrates its technology into existing Ray-Ban and Oakley frames, allowing the products to retain the appearance and familiarity of established fashion and sports eyewear.
For Malaysian consumers, this means there will be four different options at launch. Ray-Ban models focus more on everyday lifestyle use, while the Oakley range includes both a casual design and a more specialised model intended for sports and outdoor activities.
The glasses are scheduled to go on sale locally on 20 October.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 And Meta Optics Gen 2 Share Core Hardware
Despite belonging to different generations, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) and Ray-Ban Meta Optics (Gen 2) share several important features. Both include a 12MP camera positioned on the left side of the frame and are capable of recording video at up to 3K resolution.
On the opposite side is an LED privacy indicator designed to alert people nearby when recording is taking place. This has become an increasingly important feature for smart glasses because their built-in cameras are far less obvious than holding up a smartphone.
Both models also use a six-microphone array, helping the glasses capture the wearer's voice more clearly for recordings and voice commands.
Meta AI Is Built Into The Glasses
Users can activate the built-in AI assistant using the familiar phrase "Hey Meta". From there, the glasses can answer questions, provide information about objects or surroundings, translate conversations, read messages, set reminders and perform other supported tasks.
The AI can also work with what the wearer is looking at. This allows users to ask questions about their surroundings or request contextual information without manually typing into a phone.
Photo and video capture can also be triggered hands-free, making the glasses useful when users want to document something without interrupting what they are doing.
Physical Controls Are Still Included
Meta has not made the glasses completely dependent on voice controls. The frames include a physical button that can be customised to perform different actions.
There is also a physical power switch located beneath the control button, giving users a straightforward way to turn the smart functionality on or off.
Keeping physical controls is particularly useful in situations where voice commands may be inconvenient, such as crowded areas or quiet indoor environments.
Battery Life Reaches Around Eight To Nine Hours
Meta did not disclose the exact battery capacity of either Ray-Ban model. Instead, the company focused on typical usage time.
Both are expected to provide more than eight hours of battery life. Meta specifically states that the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) can last for up to nine hours on a charge.
The company did not provide a similarly specific maximum figure for the Gen 2 model, though representatives said it can also last beyond eight hours.
Gen 3 Is Slimmer And Comes In More Styles
The most obvious difference between the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 and Meta Optics Gen 2 lies in the physical design. The newer Gen 3 is said to use a slimmer frame, helping it look closer to conventional eyewear.
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 will be available in three styles:
• Wayfarer
• Aviator
• Zena
The Ray-Ban Meta Optics Gen 2 will instead be offered in:
• Blayzer
• Scriber
This gives buyers several options depending on whether they prefer a classic, fashion-oriented or more understated frame.
Prescription Lens Support Differs Between The Two
One important difference is lens compatibility. At launch, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 will only be offered as sunglasses, while the Meta Optics Gen 2 can be fitted with prescription lenses.
Both models can support transition lenses, allowing the lenses to darken automatically when exposed to brighter outdoor light.
For users who rely on corrective eyewear every day, this could make the Gen 2 model the more practical option despite the newer Gen 3 having the slimmer design.
Several Popular Apps Are Supported
The Ray-Ban smart glasses integrate with a number of popular services. These include Amazon, Spotify, Apple, Shazam and Calm.
Support also extends to:
• Be My Eyes
• Audible
• iHeartRadio
This expands their usefulness beyond photography and AI assistance. Users can listen to music, audiobooks and other audio content directly through the glasses without wearing separate earbuds.
Oakley Meta HSTN Offers A More Traditional Look
The Oakley lineup consists of the Meta HSTN and Meta Vanguard. The HSTN looks closer to a conventional pair of sunglasses, while the Vanguard has a more aggressive wraparound design aimed at sports and performance users.
Both models include a 12MP ultrawide camera, but the placement and field of view differ.
The HSTN positions the camera on the left side of the frame and offers a 100-degree field of view. The Vanguard places its camera centrally and expands the view to 122 degrees, making it better suited to capturing wider action scenes.
Both Oakley Models Record Up To 3K Video
Video capabilities are broadly similar between the two Oakley models. Both support video recording at up to 3K resolution.
Available recording modes include:
• 1,440 × 1,920 pixels at 30fps
• 1,280 × 720 pixels at 120fps
Continuous video recording can run for up to five minutes.
The higher 120fps option should be particularly useful for sports footage where smoother motion or slow-motion playback is desirable.
Open-Ear Speakers Keep Users Aware Of Their Surroundings
Both the HSTN and Vanguard use two open-ear speakers positioned above the ears. Instead of sealing the ear canal like conventional earbuds, audio is directed towards the wearer while allowing surrounding sounds to remain audible.
The HSTN can reach up to 76.1dB, while the Vanguard offers around 6dB more output.
That extra volume fits the Vanguard's sports-oriented positioning, where wind and surrounding environmental noise can make audio more difficult to hear.
Five Microphones Support Voice And Recording
The Oakley models use a five-microphone array. Two microphones are positioned on the left, another two on the right, while a fifth sits around the nosepad area.
This arrangement helps capture voice commands and ambient audio more effectively from different directions.
As with the Ray-Ban models, the microphone system supports Meta AI and hands-free interaction.
32GB Storage Can Hold Hundreds Of Captures
Both Oakley models include 32GB of internal storage.
Meta says this is enough for more than:
• 100 videos recorded at around 30 seconds each
• 1,000 photos
This means users can capture a significant amount of content before needing to transfer files to their phone.
For athletes or travellers, that could be particularly useful when recording several short clips throughout the day.
Wi-Fi 6 And Bluetooth 5.2 Handle Connectivity
Connectivity comes through Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
The glasses are compatible with devices running:
• iOS 15.2 or later
• Android 10 or later
This makes the eyewear accessible to both Android and iPhone users instead of restricting the ecosystem to one mobile platform.
Oakley Meta HSTN Offers Up To 48 Hours With Its Case
Battery performance differs slightly between the Oakley models.
The Oakley Meta HSTN lasts around eight hours on a single charge. With its charging case, total usage can reach approximately 48 hours.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard lasts slightly longer at around nine hours per charge. However, its charging case provides a lower total of approximately 36 hours.
So while Vanguard lasts longer between individual charges, HSTN provides greater overall endurance when its case is included.
Vanguard Adds Garmin And Strava Integration
The Vanguard is clearly the more performance-oriented model of the two. It includes support for Garmin and Strava, making it more relevant to runners, cyclists and other athletes who already use those platforms.
This could allow users to combine activity tracking with hands-free video capture, audio and AI assistance during training or outdoor activities.
The wraparound design also reflects that positioning, offering greater coverage compared with the more conventional HSTN frame.
Water Resistance Is Better On The Vanguard
Water protection is another major difference.
The HSTN has an IPX4 rating, meaning it can handle sweat, light rain and minor splashes. However, it should not be exposed to significant amounts of water.
The Vanguard carries a stronger IP67 rating, providing significantly better resistance to water and dust.
Even with the higher rating, Meta representatives caution that the glasses are not designed to be deliberately submerged underwater.
Malaysian Pricing Starts From RM2,069
All four models will officially arrive in Malaysia on 20 October.
Local pricing is as follows:
• Oakley Meta HSTN – RM2,069
• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) – RM2,119
• Ray-Ban Meta Optics (Gen 2) – RM2,209
• Oakley Meta Vanguard – RM2,589
The differences in pricing reflect the intended audience and features of each model, with the sports-focused Vanguard sitting at the top of the range.
Available Through Ray-Ban, Oakley And Selected Retailers
The smart glasses will be sold through Ray-Ban and Oakley stores in Malaysia, as well as selected EssilorLuxottica retail locations.
Having the products available through traditional eyewear retailers could be particularly useful for buyers who need to try different frame sizes or require prescription lenses.
Smart glasses are still ultimately something worn on the face for long periods, so fit and comfort matter just as much as their technology.
Smart Glasses Are Moving Into The Mainstream
Meta bringing its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses officially to Malaysia is another indication that connected eyewear is moving beyond experimental technology.
Cameras, open-ear speakers and AI assistants can now fit inside frames that increasingly resemble ordinary glasses. That makes them considerably more practical than earlier generations of wearable technology.
The combination of AI vision and hands-free controls may ultimately prove more important than the cameras themselves. Being able to look at something and ask an AI assistant about it creates a type of interaction that smartphones cannot replicate quite as naturally.
Privacy Will Remain An Important Issue
The growing popularity of smart glasses also raises obvious privacy concerns. Because the cameras are built directly into eyewear, people nearby may not always immediately realise that recording is possible.
Meta includes an LED recording indicator specifically to address this issue, but the responsibility will still fall partly on users to operate the devices respectfully.
As smart glasses become more common, public spaces and organisations may also begin introducing clearer policies surrounding where they can be worn or used for recording.
Final Thoughts
Meta's decision to officially launch its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses in Malaysia significantly expands the local wearable technology market. With four models ranging from everyday lifestyle glasses to a sports-focused Vanguard design, consumers can choose between different styles without giving up core features such as Meta AI, cameras, open-ear audio and hands-free controls.
The Ray-Ban models should appeal to users looking for something closer to everyday eyewear, while Oakley's HSTN and Vanguard focus more strongly on outdoor and active use. Pricing from RM2,069 to RM2,589 also places them firmly in premium eyewear territory rather than conventional consumer electronics accessories.
More importantly, the Malaysian launch shows how quickly smart glasses are becoming a genuine consumer category. With AI capabilities increasingly moving away from screens and into wearables, glasses may become one of the most natural ways for people to interact with digital assistants while remaining engaged with the world around them.


Comments 0