Meta Connect 2026: VR Glasses, Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 and Camera-Free Audio Glasses

Meta used its annual Connect event on September 23, 2026, to announce a new lightweight virtual reality headset, a refresh of its best-known smart glasses and its first pair of glasses without a camera. Mark Zuckerberg delivered the keynote from Meta's headquarters in Menlo Park, California.

Meta VR Glasses

The biggest new device was Meta VR Glasses, a compact headset that Meta says weighs about 100 grams on the face. According to Engadget and VR.org, the glasses connect to a separate compute puck running Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite chip. VR.org reported the puck weighs about 300 grams and links to the glasses through an optical tether.

Engadget reported a 5K display, full-color passthrough, hand gesture controls and up to three hours of continuous playback. Both outlets said more than 75 games will be available at launch, and Meta also showed hologram-style video calls using avatars.

The headset is due in spring 2027. Engadget listed the price as $1,300, while VR.org gave it as $1,299.99. VR.org noted that pre-orders have not opened yet.

Gizmodo reported that Zuckerberg described the device as significantly lighter than Apple's Vision Pro during the keynote. Meta also announced entertainment tie-ins, including Disney+ 3D streaming planned for November 2026, according to Engadget.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3

The third-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses went on sale the same day, starting at $449. According to Engadget, they keep a 12-megapixel camera with 3K video, run for up to nine hours on a charge and add a six-microphone array that Meta says cuts background noise by more than 90%. VR.org described the battery gain as one hour over the previous generation.

New frame styles include Aviator and Zena, and Engadget counted 27 style combinations. Meta also announced special editions with Kylie Jenner and Lisa of Blackpink.

Ray-Ban Meta Audio and other glasses

Ray-Ban Meta Audio is Meta's first pair of glasses with no camera. The glasses start at $349, weigh 43 grams and offer up to 12 hours of battery life, according to Engadget and VR.org. They come in Clubmaster and Burbank styles and ship on October 13.

Meta also announced the Meta Adventurer glasses, starting at $249 and shipping October 23, and expanded its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses to more countries. VR.org reported prices of £749 in the UK, CA$1,149 in Canada and €899 in France, Germany and Italy, with the US price unchanged at $799.

In addition, Meta previewed the Muse Charm, a keychain-sized device for its Muse AI assistant. Engadget quoted Zuckerberg saying Meta had "packed the whole Muse experience...into something that fits on a keychain." Gizmodo reported it is expected around the 2026 holiday season. Meta did not announce a new Quest headset, VR.org noted.

Why it matters

This year's Connect announcements centered on glasses rather than a new Quest headset. The lineup spans several price points, from $249 glasses to a headset around $1,300, and adds a camera-free model aimed at buyers who want audio and an AI assistant without a camera on their face.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.