Meta to Reveal $800 Smart Glasses with Display at Connect

Post by : Avinab Raana

Photo : X / TonyVT SkarredGhost

Meta is preparing to unveil a high-end pair of smart glasses at its annual Connect event that could reshape how we think about wearable tech. These glasses, internally codenamed “Hypernova” and expected to be marketed as “Celeste,” will be among the first from Meta to include a built-in digital display in the lens. Priced around $800, they mark a significant leap in complexity, features, and cost compared to the company’s existing AI-powered eyewear tools. For consumers, this means new capabilities like on-lens notifications, gesture control via a wristband, and smarter integration with AI services.

Why This Move Matters

Adding a display to a pair of glasses is more than a novelty. It signals Meta’s deeper commitment to augmented reality and its ambition to bridge the gap between wearable hardware and AI-driven experiences. The shift also shows Meta playing catch up in a market where user expectations are evolving quickly. Competitors are pushing forward too, so moving beyond just cameras and microphones to actually embedding AR visuals could change the competitive balance. For Meta, the success of Celeste could set the tone for what the mainstream sees as possible in AR wearables.

How These Glasses Compare with Earlier Models

Meta already offers smart eyewear through its Ray-Ban line and its partnership with Oakley. Those devices include features like live streaming, hands-free camera control, and open-ear audio. But none have yet included a graphical display in the lens itself. Celeste, by contrast, is expected to offer a small display — likely in the right lens — that can show basic alerts, messages, and perhaps simple AR overlays. Because of this added tech, the glasses will be bulkier than earlier versions and carry a higher price tag.

Features to Watch For

In addition to the display, the new model will reportedly include a wristband accessory to enable gesture controls. Imagine flicking your wrist to dismiss a notification or swiping through messages without touching the frame. Battery life is expected to be improved, particularly for camera, AI processing, and display usage. Meta is also enhancing its platform features, likely opening up third-party developers with tools to build apps specifically for this new eyewear. Those enhancements are critical: features alone do not drive adoption unless there is an ecosystem behind them.

Price Tag Could Limit Adoption

Although Meta is pushing forward with these innovations, the pricing may be a double-edged sword. At around $800, Celeste will be significantly more expensive than the current Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses from Meta, which start much lower. That higher price could limit appeal to early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and those willing to accept compromises in design or comfort. Mainstream consumers might hold back until either price drops, features improve, or competitors offer affordable alternatives with similar capabilities.

Design Trade-Offs

To house the display, sensors, battery, and wristband functionality, Meta has reportedly had to make Celeste somewhat bulkier. That could affect wearability, especially for long periods or in warmer climates. Users who prioritize lightweight design or minimal form might find the design uncomfortable or inconvenient. Still, for others focused on capabilities more than style, these trade-offs might be acceptable. How Meta balances aesthetics and usability will be key to adoption.

Developer Ecosystem and Software Support

Meta is expected to release a new software development kit (SDK) for these glasses to encourage third-party apps. That’s important because a display alone is just hardware; meaningful content and functionality make hardware useful. Apps that can deliver notifications, fitness data, navigation, or AR utility will help justify the price. Meta has invested heavily in AI and AR infrastructure already, so Celeste may benefit from existing strengths. But onboarding developers and ensuring apps feel polished will be a task.

Privacy, Safety, and Regulation

With smart glasses that have displays, cameras, and always-on sensors, privacy concerns will be amplified. Users may worry about what gets displayed, what data is collected, and how it’s used. Meta has previously faced scrutiny over child safety and content moderation in its AI and social media platforms. As Celeste gets closer to market, regulatory eyes will be on how the device handles permissions, visual overlays, and connectivity. Clear policies over display content, data storage, and user control will matter for both consumers and regulators.

Market Challenges Ahead

Even with strong features, Celeste will face market headwinds. Awareness of smart glasses with display is lower than for phones or watches. Convincing people to pay for glasses that can show messages, maps, or alerts in the lens rather than via phone or smartwatch is a shift in user behavior. Also, battery life, display brightness in sunlight, weight, comfort, and repairability are often barriers in wearables. Meta will need to address those convincingly for Celeste to gain mainstream traction.

Strategic Timing and Competitive Landscape

Launching Celeste now makes sense for Meta. The company has already invested billions into AR, AI research, camera tech, and wearable platforms. By introducing a display-enabled wearable now, Meta seeks to set a reference point in the next generation of wearables. Its competitors from big names in AI to hardware startups—are also pushing harder in AR and mixed reality. Meta’s move could force rivals to accelerate their own development, potentially leading to faster innovation cycles and lower prices down the line.

Consumer Expectations for the Future

If Celeste succeeds, consumer expectations may shift rapidly. What was once seen as luxury accessories or novel gadgets could become standard features in wearables. Users may begin to expect displays, gesture control, seamless AI integration, and cross-device continuity. On the other hand, if Celeste falls short, whether due to high price, limited apps, short battery life, or usability issues consumers may perceive display glasses as more gimmick than utility. Meta’s reputation in this space depends heavily on delivering a polished experience.

Long-Term Implications for Meta

For Meta, Celeste is more than just a product launch; it reflects the company’s strategy in the broader AR/AI race. The product could deepen Meta’s footprint in AI wearables and connected devices, help recruit and engage developers, and reinforce its positioning versus competitors like Google or Apple. It also signals that Meta believes consumers are ready (or nearly ready) for more advanced, display-based AR features. How Celeste performs commercially and how consumers receive it will influence Meta’s roadmap, whether display becomes standard in eyewear or stays niche for higher-price tiers.

Final View on Celeste’s Debut

Meta’s upcoming smart glasses with integrated display represent a bold step into a more ambitious future of augmented reality. Celeste is not likely to be perfect; trade-offs in design, price, and usability will be part of its debut. But they could redefine what consumers expect from wearable tech. For early adopters, developers, and the tech curious, Celeste offers a glimpse of possibilities: notifications at a glance, gesture control, AI integration, and a wristband that expands interaction. Whether Celeste becomes a mainstream hit or a niche prestige product, it is certain to push the boundaries of wearable AR.

Meta smart glasses, AR display glasses, Gesture controls