Oakley Meta glasses review: A familiar formula with some upgrades

Meta's latest Oakley-branded smart glasses build upon the success of its Ray-Ban models, blending popular eyewear style with integrated technology. These Oakley frames represent Meta's first collaboration with a brand outside of Ray-Ban, hinting at its broader ambitions in the wearable tech market. Marketed as "performance glasses," they offer enhanced battery life and higher quality video recording compared to previous versions. However, the increased price point of nearly $400 makes these upgrades debatable for many consumers. The design of the Oakley Meta glasses is based on the HSTN frames, featuring a bold aesthetic that might not appeal to everyone. While they avoid an overtly techy appearance, the specific color combination tested was polarizing, with some finding the fit and style awkward. Functionally, they mirror the Ray-Ban models, including a 12MP camera, open-ear speakers, and touch controls for music playback. The extended battery life, offering up to eight hours of typical use, is a significant improvement, though the charging case is larger and lacks precise battery level indicators. The camera's ability to shoot in 3K resolution is a notable upgrade, especially beneficial for content creators. However, photo saturation and framing challenges due to the wide-angle lens can be issues, with a forthcoming "media quality" feature aiming to address obstructions like hair or hats. Meta AI integration is a key focus, with new features like live translation and "Live AI" offering interactive capabilities. While the translation feature shows promise for travelers, it has some bugs, and "Live AI" offers a glimpse into future multimodal functionalities. Ultimately, while the Oakley Meta glasses offer incremental improvements, their value proposition hinges on individual needs and the premium price, positioning them as a performance-oriented option.