In recent years, extended reality (XR) devices have surged in popularity, and as their technology advances, prices have increased significantly. For instance, Apple’s Vision Pro is priced at $3,500, while Meta’s Quest Pro is available for $1,500. Smart glasses, particularly those with built-in displays, are also gradually climbing in cost.
However, Meta appears to be challenging this trend with its upcoming next-generation smart glasses, expected later this year, which may be more affordable than initially projected. Inside sources suggest Meta has managed to reduce the retail price to approximately $800. This adjustment seems to be part of a strategy to lower profit margins temporarily in order to boost consumer demand— a tactic often used when launching new tech products, according to Bloomberg.
### How Do Meta’s Smart Glasses Function?
Currently in development under the code name “Hypernova,” Meta initially aimed to sell these glasses at around $1,000, with some estimates suggesting a price closer to $1,400. The confirmed lower price point, around $800, positions Meta’s device in the same market segment as the iPhone 16, and potentially the upcoming iPhone 17.
Meta’s approach with these glasses is reminiscent of Google Glass, featuring a monocular display embedded in the lower section of the right lens. Unlike some smart glasses from brands like RayNeo, Viture, and Xreal that sport dual displays, Meta’s “Hypernova” only presents information on the right eye — mostly when the user looks downward, as Bloomberg reports. Powering the device is Qualcomm silicon, and it will come equipped with applications for capturing photos, viewing media, navigating maps, and managing notifications.
### What Sets These Glasses Apart?
Meta is targeting these glasses as a next-generation personal computing device, aiming to serve as an alternative to smartphones, particularly in the U.S. market where iPhones dominate. Smart glasses from other companies, such as Xreal and Viture, usually fall into the $400 to $600 price range, comparable to the new AI glasses like the Even G1 that utilize optical projector technology.
Additionally, Meta plans to enhance user interaction through a neural wristband, allowing control of the glasses via wrist gestures and hand movements. This concept isn’t entirely new—smartwatches like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 have already integrated gesture-based navigation. The wristband will be bundled with the glasses, improving the ease of control.
### Operating System and Connectivity
The upcoming glasses are expected to run a specialized version of Android, though they might lack a dedicated app store, instead relying on touch and swipe gestures on the side frame for control. This usability feature would be a significant selling point, especially if Meta ensures seamless notification access from paired smartphones.
However, Meta’s plans seem to diverge from Google’s initiatives. While Google is also developing AR glasses based on the Android XR platform, Meta’s “Hypernova” will likely rely heavily on the Meta View app for phones. The glasses are anticipated to launch within a month, and it will be interesting to see how they incorporate AI features—especially when compared to Google’s Gemini platform designed for wearables.
Overall, these developments suggest a competitive and rapidly evolving landscape for smart glasses, with Meta positioning itself as a major player by offering advanced features at a more accessible price point.
