Today, Meta announced it was launching a range of smart glasses with Oakley, which feels a bit like the tech brand cheating on Ray-Ban. However, the new product is aimed at a different audience entirely. While the Ray-Ban Meta glasses cater to the everyman (or woman), the Oakleys seem to be marketed more towards athletes and the active person.
Beyond the Lifestyle Play
Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica has proven lucrative, with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses having moved over two million units since launch. But those frames always felt like smart glasses for people who wanted to look smart rather than perform smart.
The Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced “how-stuhn”) represents Meta’s first serious foray into performance-oriented smart eyewear. Built on Oakley’s HSTN design language, these frames inherit the angular, athletic DNA that’s made the eyewear brand synonymous with serious sports performance since the 1970s.
The most significant upgrade comes in battery life, with 8 hours of typical use versus the Ray-Ban’s 4-hour stint. For athletes enduring extended training sessions or multi-hour competitions, this is an essential upgrade. The charging case extends total lifespan to 48 hours, with quick-charge capabilities that deliver 50% battery in just 22 minutes.
Performance Meets Intelligence
The camera system represents another meaningful evolution. While the Ray-Ban Meta captures 1080p video, the Oakley HSTN records in 3K ultra-wide format through a 12MP sensor. For action sports documentation, this resolution bump can help you better analyze technique or share highlights that actually look professional.
Meta AI integration can provide real-time environmental data like wind conditions for golfers or surf reports. Voice commands like “Hey Meta, how strong is the wind today?” become useful when you’re about to tee off or ride a wave.
The five-microphone setup and open-ear Bluetooth speakers maintain situational awareness for athletes who need to hear coaches, teammates, or environmental noises. The IPX4 water resistance rating handles sweat, rain, and splashes. However, for a sports-focuses product, we would’ve assumed this might be a bit higher — and may get better with future editions.
Oakley’s Optical Prowess
As expected, the sunglasses benefit from Oakley’s industry-leading lens tech. Their Prizm and Prizm Polarized options will provide exceptional contrast and clarity just like the non-Meta shades lend themselves to. As for the frame selection, these come in six combinations, from practical clear transitions to sport-specific polarized options. The limited-edition launch model features gold accents with 24K Prizm Polar lenses celebrating Oakley’s 50-year anniversary.
Smart Accessories for Smart Athletes
Beyond core functionality, the HSTN glasses support Meta’s broader ecosystem of AI-powered features, such as live translation, accessibility support through Be My Eyes integration, and hands-free messaging. The Meta AI app provides management and customization options, while the capture LED ensures privacy compliance, which is extremely important when filming in gyms, team facilities, or competitive environments. This might just be the tip of the iceberg in terms of what active smart tech can do, and we’re here for it.
Spec Sheet
Model: Oakley Meta HSTN
Camera: 12MP ultra-wide, 3K video recording
Battery: 8 hours (average), 19 hours (standby)
Charging: 50% in 22 minutes, 85% in 45 minutes
Case: 40+ hours additional charging
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, iPhone 10+/iOS 15.2+, Android 10+
Audio: Open-ear speakers, 5-microphone array
Water Resistance: IPX4 (splash resistant)
Lenses: Prizm, Prizm Polarized, Transitions options
AI: Meta AI integration with sports-specific queries
Pricing & Availability
The limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN with gold accents launches July 11 for $499, available for pre-order now. However, the broader collection starts at $399 when it debuts this summer. All models support prescription lens compatibility for an additional cost.
Recap
Oakley Meta HSTN Smart Glasses
Oakley enters the smart glasses category, partnering with Meta for these AI-boosted HSTN shades, featuring Prizm lens tech but also 3K video recording and voice queries.
