Distinctions - There’s an impressive list of features attached to the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses. The most integral is easily the 12 megapixel dual cameras mounted on either side of the frames, which feed video and photos to Meta’s servers for AI functionality or simply recording. In conjunction with a five-mic surround sound system and open-ear speakers on the temples, hands free listening and voice control is incredibly consistent even in high-noise environments. Meta integration is free, with use of local storage on a connected device for recording and cache. Software offerings allows for recording, photo taking and simple questions all handsfree. An included hardcase with a secondary battery allows for recharging on-the-go, with up to 36 hours of use time possible.

Criticisms - The biggest feature deficit is in the software offerings. Meta’s integration with the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses is fairly surface level in its usage. You can ask simple questions like ‘What am I looking at?’ and receive an interesting variety in the specificity of answers. For example, Meta’s knowledge base can identify certain buildings and landmarks, as well as specifics like certain dog breeds or car makes and models, but only intermittently identifies text. Similarly, rephrasing questions to try and get a specific answer does not work very well. Outside of basic, Siri-esque queries with simple answers, Meta’s AI is not capable of many tasks that are more than just novelties. Some features we’d like to see include improved live translation, navigation integration and better messaging functionality. The good aspect about the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses is that future software updates can build off the existing hardware for a more complete and useful feature suite. As of right now, however, what there is to do with them does not warrant the price tag or upkeep need.

Distinctions - Ray-ban’s major contribution to the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses are the actual frames, which, despite their weighty internals and bulkier silhouette, have a very solid and relatively sleek build. Wider temples have become a trend within the last decade or so alongside bulkier lenses and chunkier frames, and Ray-Ban makes use of this to tremendous effect. Meta’s contribution via the internals and recording array are up to par with other wearable AI devices, but the camera stands out the most. While 12 megapixels is not near the benchmarks for most smartphones, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses have an incredibly crisp image quality compared to previous trailblazers like the Snapchat Spectacles. In most circumstances, when paired with the multi-piece lens, 12 megapixels are more than enough for solid POV filming and decent impromptu photography.

Criticisms - Conversely, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses are not wholly remarkable on their own when compared to other cameras, not being particularly durable, not using on-board storage like a MicroSD or alternative SSD, and perhaps most noticeably, no connectivity outside of using a mobile device middleman. Seeing as most of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses’ features are easily and better replaced by most smartphones via voice assistant, requiring a user to have their phone to make the Smart Glasses function feels like inviting a conversation about utility.

Distinctions - All colors of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses are professional and relatively subdued, with the only pronounced feature distinguishing them from their regular Wayfarer counterparts being thicker temples and the visibility of the camera lenses. Lens colors follow suit, with no particularly egregious options, allowing the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses to be worn in professional settings with little obtrusion.

Criticisms - Chunkier temples are distinctively different than the original more slim design of the base Ray-Ban Wayfarers. A blinking white light when recording or taking photos does also draw attention to the frames, which non-users regularly noted as making them uncomfortably aware of the cameras. An all plastic frame build is also less than appealing on a material level, especially considering the weight savings often associated with aluminum components on regular sunglasses.

Distinctions - The Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses can be ordered with prescription lenses, combining the new technology with a necessity for certain users. Extended battery life provided via the case prolongs functionality even with battery degradation.

Criticisms - A gimmicky product with less than stellar build quality and features that can easily be outdone by different products of similar price points is not much for longevity. The Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses are a product of the AI integration zeitgeist, rather than an actual thoughtful application of AI technology to fill or complement a need in another product. Passionate and relevant use of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses for many users will likely be a finite period of time.

Distinctions - The Ray-Ban Wayfarer Meta Smart Glasses are the best version of a niche product available currently, particularly because of the solid integration with the Meta View app, which streamlines much of the media capture experience and ease of use with external apps like messaging or music.

Criticisms - Shockingly, there is a mildly better version on a purely videographical level, that being the Snapchat Spectacles 3, which are capable of recording in a form of 3D. They are priced similarly, with a similar feature suite. As sunglasses, the extra weight and bulkier size, as well as increased vulnerability make them less appealing than the base Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Even more so on a cost-basis.