By Newton KitongaJ

June 21, 2025

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• Meta teams up with Oakley to launch AI-powered smart glasses focused on athletic performance.
• The Oakley Meta HSTN features 3K video capture, voice-activated AI, and long battery life.
• Designed for sports use, the glasses include water resistance and hands-free functionality.
• A global marketing campaign features athletes like Mbappé and Mahomes promoting the launch.

Meta Platforms has announced the latest expansion of its wearable tech portfolio through a new collaboration with Oakley, unveiling the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses.

Designed for athletes and performance enthusiasts, this new product marks Meta’s first foray into the performance AI glasses market and combines Oakley’s distinctive design language with Meta’s advanced AI capabilities.

A Smarter, Sportier Vision for AI Wearables

Set to retail at $499 for a limited-edition model, Oakley Meta HSTN will be available for preorder beginning July 11. Broader versions of the collection are expected later this summer, starting at $399, and will be rolled out across multiple global markets including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several European countries. Expansion into markets like India and the UAE is anticipated by the end of the year.

Notably, the Oakley Meta HSTN is engineered to amplify human potential in both training and daily life. Inspired by Oakley’s iconic HSTN frame style, the glasses boast a front-facing 3K camera, open-ear speakers, built-in microphones, and support for Meta AI, which serves as a hands-free assistant. Users can ask for weather updates, record videos, translate languages, or even check surf and wind conditions—all through voice commands.

Durable Tech Meets Athletic Style

Targeting a more active demographic than Meta’s earlier Ray-Ban smart glasses, this launch introduces a durable design built to meet performance needs. The glasses offer IPX4-rated water resistance, making them sweat and splash-proof, ideal for outdoor training or extreme sports. Battery life has been significantly upgraded as well, with eight hours of active usage and up to 48 hours available through an included charging case. A 20-minute charge can restore 50 percent of battery capacity, optimizing downtime for busy users.

Athletes like World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and NFL star Patrick Mahomes headline the global marketing campaign for the Oakley Meta HSTN, positioning the glasses as an aspirational tool for those wanting to track, share, and elevate their physical performance.

Other Team Oakley athletes are featured capturing moments on the field, the ocean, and skate parks, showcasing the hands-free capabilities that set these glasses apart.

Meta Eyes Bigger Ambitions in Wearable Tech

Meta views this launch as a strategic evolution of its wearables vision, describing the Oakley partnership as its “first step into the performance category.” The company has already seen notable success with its Ray-Ban line, selling over two million units, and has set an ambitious target of 10 million annual smart glasses sales by 2026. By incorporating AI directly into high-performance eyewear, Meta is aiming to redefine how users interact with their environments in real time.

Style and Function Packed into Every Frame

In addition to its technical specifications, the limited-edition version of the glasses will feature gold accents and Oakley’s proprietary PRIZM lenses, which enhance visual clarity and contrast, particularly useful for high-speed sports. The frames will also support prescription lenses, expanding accessibility to a broader user base.

With demand for AI-integrated devices continuing to rise, Meta’s partnership with Oakley and parent company EssilorLuxottica signals a new phase in the development of augmented wearables. The Oakley Meta HSTN glasses not only provide a style-forward experience but also promise practical tools for athletes, content creators, and everyday users alike.

Newton Kitonga