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vendredi 25 septembre 2026

Meta's new holograms make Star Wars tech look old school

Ever since I was a kid, I hoped that I'd live to see the day when we have proper holograms as I saw in Star Wars. Of course, I hoped that real-life holograms would be a little higher quality than the fuzzy, often broken-up counterparts in the sci-fi series, and it looks like I'm mostly getting my wish thanks to Meta.

At Meta Connect 2026, the company debuted a new type of digital avatar system it simply calls Holograms. The company has substantially revised its avatar system over the years, from the extraordinarily ugly original release to 2024's modern upgrade, and now avatars are getting a truly realistic makeover, starting in WhatsApp calls.

Holograms are made from scans you take with your smartphone using Meta's app. During my demo, I completed a scan to be used on Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and standard WhatsApp calls, which took about 60 seconds to set up. During the onboarding process, the app had me turn my head in a few different directions, then answer some questions out loud so it could learn my mannerisms.

The Meta rep then put on his Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, walked into the other room, and called me from the glasses. When I answered the WhatsApp call, he appeared on screen as if it were any normal day, not wearing glasses at all. Despite what my eyes were telling me, the video I was seeing was not actually him; it was his Hologram.

You can see the difference in the video above, which shows me on the video call (with my Hologram on the phone), then a close-up of the phone showing the rep's Hologram followed by his real video. The results are uncanny. Even, perhaps, a bit scary.

As you might have imagined, this all uses Meta AI to function. The initial 60-second scan I described earlier is followed by a 5-10 minute server-side processing time, where Meta AI creates a personalized model of your imagery for Hologram-friendly apps. On Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, this video call appears right on the glasses display and is designed to give the other person a way to see you on the call without needing cameras on the glasses looking at you.

Taking a WhatsApp video call on Meta VR Glasses using Holograms

(Image credit: Android Central)

This tech gets even more amazing when you answer a call in VR. For the demo, I used Meta VR Glasses, which give me full-color passthrough video to see the room around me. Calls normally appear in a floating window and show the same Hologram you'd get when using WhatsApp on a phone, although Holograms in VR have a 3D spatial quality to them.

Things get even cooler when you tap the full person button, as the call window melts away and the person is suddenly standing in front of you in the room with their correct height and proportions. It's a real-life hologram, and it moves impressively convincingly along with the person's voice and inflection.

There's no need to have a device that supports full-body tracking or anything like that, either. Meta AI is smart enough to understand human behavior and bases gestures and movements on the way you moved in the setup. In this case, she was wearing the same outfit in her Hologram that she was in real life.

You can walk around the room, and the Hologram will stay in place, although it will always be facing you. You can also move it around the room, or resize it to put it in a better place. Holograms are part of the Meta ecosystem and can even be adapted to work in different apps via an API. That means you could see your Hologram appear in more than just WhatsApp or Meta VR products in the near future.

Meta has been working on this technology for years, originally calling it "codec avatars," but renaming it for the final release to something more understandable. It's a massive leap in quality compared to what we have now, and I can't wait to use it more as it nears the final release in the coming months.



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Muse Charm is the AI Tamagotchi everyone seems to be in love with

What you need to know

  • Meta reportedly debuted its latest gadget, the Muse Charm, which is designed to keep users connected directly to its AI via 5G connectivity.
  • The Charm features a 2-inch OLED touch screen, a camera, a microphone, and speakers, with a price tag that could encroach on smartwatches.
  • During the event, Zuckerberg stated, "...if you’re not wearing glasses, this is going to be by far the fastest way" to talk to Muse AI.

We're winding down from Meta Connect 2026, but one thing stole the show for us (aside from AI glasses), and that's the Muse Charm.

A post by The Verge discussed this AI device called the Muse Charm, stating it will feature a "built-in 5G modem" so consumers can communicate with Meta's AI. To us, this looks like the classic Tamagotchi but for the modern age. Meta provided us with images of this device, showcasing the small, rounded size, similar to the virtual pet gadget we used to have (Tamagotchis are making a return, though).

Meta is reportedly eyeing a December launch for the Muse Charm, but there's more to this. It's been announced to have a 2-inch OLED touchscreen, a camera, a microphone, built-in speakers, and a USB-C port.

The entire point of the Muse Charm is to let consumers use Meta's AI, Muse. At least, that's the gist of the situation Bloomberg was able to glean. What's more, users can reportedly use the charm's camera to give the AI additional real-world context. By this, it seems no different than opening your camera with Gemini Live and asking, "What does this sign say?"

Some additional coverage by CNBC highlighted more about the Muse Charm. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, "We’ve packed a lot of technology with this little guy. So, if you’re not wearing glasses, this is going to be by far the fastest way to talk to your Muse and to show it what’s going on around you." Aside from cute avatars designed to attract the user, the publication notes that the Muse Charm is a part of Meta's bigger AI push.

Elsewhere, it's been alleged that the Muse Charm could see pricing mirroring smartwatches.

Muse will charm you

The Meta Muse Charm with a wrist strap, and a 2-inch OLED display with a small avatar.

(Image credit: Meta)

Meta Connect 2026 was packed with a bunch of reveals from the company. While it revealed new AI glasses, it had another reveal in store: VR Glasses. Meta's new device caught Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich off guard. While many VR-related devices are headsets—larger and heavier—Meta's VR Glasses strip that all away. This device is reportedly 83% lighter and 60% smaller than your typical VR headset (Apple Vision Pro).

One thing to note is that these VR Glasses are not meant to be worn all day. They're not AI glasses. Regarding their specifications, the VR Glasses feature 5K micro-OLED panels and a 37 pixels-per-degree (PPD) resolution. This level of clarity didn't come without compromise. Sutrich states Meta achieved this by narrowing the FOV (field of view). These VR Glasses are roughly 11 degrees narrower than the Quest 3S and 25 degrees narrower than the Quest 3.

Android Central's Take

I'm more than a little curious about why this is a thing. The idea of walking around with a tiny device resembling a Tamagotchi... for the sole purpose of communicating with Muse seems strange. What makes it more strange is the alleged pricing—near the levels of a smartwatch? The Charm has a camera (oh boy), a touch screen, and will reportedly play nice with Android and iOS for setup purposes. To me, it seems like a gimmick, and one that I'm unsure of the purpose it serves.



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How to shop Prime Day deals without a Prime membership during Big Deal Days next month

Amazon's Big Deal Days sale kicks off on October 6th, which means a lot of our readers will be on the hunt for the next great tablet, smartwatch, and Android phone deal. The problem is, just like the regular Prime Day event in July, many of the best deals during the Amazon sale will be exclusive to Prime members.

A large number of shoppers already have Prime memberships, but if you don't want to add yet another monthly subscription to your budget, there is a way to shop all of the best October Prime Day deals for free.

The Amazon Prime free trial lasts 30 days and gives you full access to all of the benefits of a Prime membership, including unlimited streaming, fuel discounts, and yes, exclusive discounts during Big Deal Days on October 6th and 7th.

That means that you could sign up for Amazon's free trial today, shop to your heart's content during the sale, and cancel your membership once Big Deal Days wraps up, all without paying a cent.

Get a 30-day FREE trial to Amazon Prime ahead of Big Deal Days

Sign up for the Amazon Prime FREE trial and you can enjoy 30 days of membership benefits (including access to exclusive deals) without paying a cent. After the 30 days are up, Prime memberships start at $14.99 per month. View Deal

What is Prime Big Deal Days?

Big Deal Days is Amazon's attempt at bringing the excitement of July's Prime Day sale into early October (which is why I often call it 'October Prime Day'). Now that it's been around for a few years, it also signals the beginning of the fall sale season, giving shoppers an opportunity to knock out some of their holiday shopping early.

Just like the Prime Day event held in July, many of the best deals during Big Deal Days will be exclusive to Prime members, so consider using Amazon's free trial if you haven't signed up already.

When is Prime Big Deal Days?

Prime Big Deal Days is scheduled for October 6th and 7th this year, giving Prime members 48 hours to explore a bounty of exclusive deals on everything from TVs and smartphones to clothing and kitchen appliances.

Amazon Prime box

(Image credit: Android Central)

What deals can I expect during Prime Big Deal Days?

Sales like Prime Day and Big Deal Days often present excellent opportunities to get Android tech for cheap. It also gives us an early look at what to expect when the Black Friday deals start kicking off in November.

This year, expect solid discounts on foldable phones and flagships from Samsung and Google. I expect the Pixel 11 series, in particular, to get some good discounts, in addition to phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8. You can also expect SSD and NAS storage devices to get some good deals as the current RAM shortage continues on.

What if I don't want to support Amazon during Prime Big Deal Days?

If you'd rather not support Amazon at all, it's worth noting that the retailer's biggest competitors — such as Best Buy, Walmart, and Target — usually launch their own rival sales at the same time as the Prime Day event. These sale events will often match (or even surpass) Amazon's discounts, and they rarely require a membership to enjoy the full savings.



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The latest Motorola foldable phones have finally come to Verizon — and the deals are impressive

Motorola deals are hardly uncommon, but if you're a Verizon customer, you may have noticed that a few key models are missing from the carrier's store. Fortunately, that changes today, as Verizon just added some new 2026 Razr phones to its site with some excellent discounts to boot.

Whether you want the groundbreaking Motorola Razr Fold, the crowd-pleasing Razr Plus, or an exclusive variant of the standard Motorola Razr (2026), September's Verizon deals spell great news for Android users and foldable phone fans alike. Just be aware that most of the new offers require a trade-in to receive the full discount, so get ready to dig up those old devices.

Need a new smartwatch? Verizon has also started carrying the Moto Watch Ultra, and you can get this sleek wearable for free when you bundle the purchase with a Motorola phone. Needless to say, things are clearly changing over at Verizon, and Motorola fans should take note.

Verizon just got some new Motorola phones in stock - don't miss these deals

Motorola Razr Plus (2026) 256GB: $1,099.99 FREE with eligible trade-in and new line on Unlimited Ultimate at Verizon

The Motorola Razr Plus (2026) is probably my favorite phone in the 2026 Razr lineup, balancing premium design and durability with significant upgrades to the camera tech and battery life.

Trade in an old or broken phone and add a line with the Unlimited Ultimate plan and Verizon will now give you the Razr Plus (2026) for free. Considering that the clamshell device usually starts at $1,100, that discount is nothing to scoff at. View Deal

Motorola Razr Fold (2026) 512GB: $1,949.99 From $23.60 per month with trade-in, Unlimited Ultimate plan at Verizon

The Razr Fold is Motorola's first attempt at building a book-style foldable, and it's already giving Samsung's Galaxy Z line a run for its money in 2026.

Send Verizon an old or broken phone and add a line with the Unlimited Ultimate plan and you'll get $1,100 off the premium device over 36 months, a deal that puts a serious dent into the Fold's steep $1,949.99 price tag. View Deal

Motorola Razr (2026) - Swarovski Edition 256GB: $999.99 FREE with eligible trade-in and new line on Unlimited Ultimate at Verizon

Did you ever wish that your flip phone had a bit more bling? The limited edition Swarovski Crystal Motorola Razr (2026) has arrived, and you can get the eye-catching foldable for FREE by trading in an eligible device and adding a line with the Unlimited Ultimate plan at Verizon. According to Motorola, each phone is hand-embedded with 35 individual Swarovski crystals and a large precision-cut crystal on the hinge. View Deal

Moto Watch Ultra: $349.99 FREE with any Motorola phone and watch line at Verizon

Motorola also dropped the powerful Moto Watch Ultra this year, and you can get the new Android smartwatch for FREE by bundling it with the purchase of any Motorola phone at Verizon. You'll still have to cover the service plan for the watch, but these start at only $15 per month. View Deal



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jeudi 24 septembre 2026

These are the smallest 65W GaN chargers I've used yet

Look, there are hundreds of great GaN chargers these days, and if you want something small that you can just take anywhere, I have a few recommendations. UGREEN constantly comes out with new products (like its 160W Nexode Pro charger), and the Nexode Air 65W is its smallest yet in this category. It costs just $24 (down from its $39 retail price), comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, and is a good choice if you want a 65W charger on hand at all times.

There's also Rolling Square's 65W charger, which looks about the same as the UGREEN but with one difference: it has a textured design at the sides, and that makes it easy to identify if you have it in a bag and are digging around. It costs $49 as of writing, so you are shelling out twice as much. Rolling Square mentions the design allows the charger to be cooler, but I didn't see much of a difference between this one and the Nexode Air when using both side-by-side to charge two Pixels. Both chargers are made out of plastic and have roughly the same dimensions.

Rolling Square Tiny 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Rolling Square Tiny 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Rolling Square Tiny 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Rolling Square Tiny 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Rolling Square Tiny 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

With the Rolling Square, that translates to 60.5mm in length, 35mm in height and width, and a weight of just 70g. Obviously, the charger is much better if you get the U.S. blade prongs as it folds inward into the chassis; the EU style I've been using has pins that jut out considerably, and it's slightly heavier at 73g.

The Nexode Air is a smidgen heavier than that at 77g, but again, either charger is noticeably smaller and lighter than just about anything else in this category — they're half the size and less than a third of the weight as a regular charger that doesn't use GaN tech. Each charger has a single USB-C port, and while I would've liked a second charging port (I always have too many devices on hand), I can understand why either brand went with a solitary port to maintain a smaller profile.

Of the two, I prefer the Rolling Square because of the textured design; it just makes it easier to hold the charger and plug it into the wall. It also gets the standard 65W USB PD 3.0 power profiles: 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), and 20V/3.25A (65W). What's interesting is that you get PPS as well, making it a good choice with Samsung phones.

UGREEN Nexode Air 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
UGREEN Nexode Air 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
UGREEN Nexode Air 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
UGREEN Nexode Air 65W
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

What I like about the Nexode Air 65W is that it is available in four colors, so you can pair it with your iPhone or MacBook Air (yes, there's an orange one, and I would've preferred that color). It also gets 65W via USB PD 3.0, and has the USB PD 3.2 AVS fast charging protocol, so if you use the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro, you will see a difference in how fast your phone charges.

Both chargers use GaN tech to good effect and deliver a reliable charge at 65W. I tested both with the iPhone 17 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Find X9 Ultra (it hits 50W over USB PD), iPad Pro M4, and about a dozen power banks. They're just as reliable at charging different products, and the Nexode Air has a slight edge in this regard if you're leaving your phone plugged in overnight — it switches to trickle charging in this situation.

UGREEN Nexode Air 65W

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Deciding between these two comes down to what they cost. As of writing, the Nexode Air is just $24, and that gives it a distinct advantage. Rolling Square did a great job as well with its 65W charger, but if I had to just choose one GaN charger to take anywhere, I'm going with the Nexode Air 65W.



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mercredi 23 septembre 2026

5 things I learned after a month of daily-driving the Pixel 11 Pro XL

It's been a month of using the Pixel 11 Pro XL as my daily driver, and I generally like what Google did with the device this year. There are some frustrations (just like with every phone I test), but as a whole, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is better than its predecessors, and while I don't necessarily like Google's aggressive stance on AI, all of these features are easy enough to ignore.

Instead of a traditional long-term review, I wanted to highlight five things that stood out the most in the month I used the Pixel 11 Pro XL, so let's get started.

The Pixel 11 Pro XL can take a beating

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The Pixel 11 Pro XL doesn't look too different to the 10 Pro XL, and I don't mind that one bit. The design is visually distinctive, and I like how clean and minimal the camera visor looks this year. The Obsidian model doesn't have much flair (you'll need to buy the Canyon instead), but the all-matte texture feels great to hold and use.

The positioning of the camera bar means there's no wobble at all when using the phone on a table — this is diametrically opposite to Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, which wobbles if you look at it. It is on the heavier side at 226g, but the weight is balanced well, and at no point did I feel that it was unwieldy to use.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

I'm pleased to report that the phone has proven durability. The Pixel 11 Pro XL took over a dozen tumbles in the month I used it, and while there is some visible damage on the sides, it is all around the mid-frame, and the glass panels at the front and rear are unharmed. There was one notable instance where it skid face-down on a tiled floor; it just slid out of my hand, and my rescue attempt ended up with me kicking it across the room. Anyway, outside of minor scratching on one edge of the screen, the panel held up admirably.

It's good to see that Google actually paid quite a bit of attention to build quality, as the Pixel 11 Pro XL is designed to last a better part of a decade. I had issues with the fit and finish of older Pixels, but that thankfully hasn't been the case in the last two years, so it looks like Google finally has a handle on this.

The cameras are good — if not the best you'll find

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

I went to an Apple briefing to go hands-on with the iPhone Duo, and normally, I use whatever phone I'm daily driving to take product photos. In this scenario, it was the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and after taking two photos, I realized I made a mistake.

It took significantly more effort to shoot with the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and I wasn't satisfied with the resultant imagery — so much so that I regretted not bringing the Find X9 Ultra at least a half-dozen times. This isn't to say that the cameras are bad on the Pixel 11 Pro XL; if anything, the phone does a better job than previous years. I got plenty of great shots out of the camera over the last month, but it isn't well-suited to take product photos in questionable lighting.

Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
These product shots are decent, but I could've gotten much better photos with the Find X9 Ultra or X9 Pro. Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
Apple iPhone Duo hands-on testing at Android Central
Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Chinese flagships like the Find X9 Ultra, X9 Pro, Vivo X300 Ultra, X300 Pro, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra do such a good job in this area that I didn't spot the Pixel 11 Pro XL's obvious limitations with the sensor size and resolution. Anyway, I got usable shots (if not the best quality or detail), but it reinforced the idea that Chinese phones have a significant lead when it comes to the cameras.

Connectivity is a mixed bag (yet again)

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

You don't need me to tell you about the state of the cellular modem on Pixels. With Google switching to a MediaTek modem this year, I thought the Pixel 11 Pro XL would be on par with other high-end phones. While connectivity is better, it wasn't as reliable as other devices I used in recent months.

I routinely saw an LTE signal in areas where I used to get 5G, and even at home, the signal was spotty. The phone intermittently disconnected from my home network, and I had to manually toggle the internet tile to get it to register on the network again. I get that these are minor quibbles, but I don't want to see any of these issues on a $1,199 phone — no other flagship has these problems.

Battery life is better than I imagined

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The 5,115mAh battery on the Pixel 11 Pro XL is relatively smaller (the Find X9 Ultra has a 7,000mAh unit), but thanks to efficiency gains this year, it manages to last an entire day (and a bit) without any problems.

I got a full day of use even while traveling, and charging it wasn't as much of a hassle — it takes just an hour to fully charge the battery. On busy days that involve taking hundreds of photos, the Pixel 11 Pro XL managed to last until the night.

Qi 2.2 integration is a big deal, and not having to use a case makes a real difference. I use Qi 2.2 power banks and chargers daily, and as someone who doesn't like using cases, it's great to see native integration on the Pixel 11 Pro XL.

The software continues to be the real highlight

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL product photos

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The main reason I use Pixels is the software, and there's a lot to like in Android 17. Most of the new features are around AI (which I don't need or use), but Rambler in Gboard is incredibly good, and I need it on other Android devices and the iPhone. I like that Google doesn't have any bloatware, and the interface itself is clean, has bright colors, and is highly customizable.

Using the Pixel 11 Pro XL made me realize that Google really needs to launch a Pixel Ultra to take on its Chinese rivals. While the phone does a good job against the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it doesn't have an answer to the Find X9 Ultra, Vivo X300 Ultra, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and Google needs to rectify that in coming years.

Although the brand always focused on software to make up the difference with cameras, we are getting to the point with diminishing returns, and Google needs to start using higher-resolution modules and generally deliver better camera hardware.



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Meta now has over 100 different AI glasses styles, and I got to try every new pair, including some that ditch the camera

New month, new Ray-Bans. That's certainly what Meta seems to think these days, as it's launching nearly 10 new AI glasses at Meta Connect 2026.

These come hot on the heels of the company's July event that launched a slew of new glasses under the "Meta AI Glasses" brand. September's new reveals include three new Meta AI Glasses-branded glasses, a brand-new Ray-Ban Gen 3 line with three main styles, and another brand-new line called Ray-Ban Audio that ditches the cameras altogether.

That, and Meta announced a new partnership with superstar musician LISA, bringing the artist's style to two Meta AI glasses styles, plus blindbox charms that come with each pair. Here's everything you can expect.

Upgrades for (nearly) all Meta AI glasses

Meta Glasses Nova style with its case and the Meta AI app showing the new Dyanmic Photos feature

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

All new Meta AI glasses launch with the features I'm about to detail, but most existing pairs will get them too, starting with customizable controls that let you change the function of the buttons and touchpads to launch apps or run commands.

Meta AI glasses with cameras now support landscape mode cropping, which will automatically crop images taken with your glasses and straighten them using AI. A new dynamic camera feature can also be enabled to take a burst of photos when you press the shutter, letting you select the best photo after capture.

An official lifestyle image of a man asking Meta AI glasses to begin hearing enhancement

(Image credit: Meta)

The audio experience is also getting an upgrade with Dolby Atmos-certified playback, so you get proper surround sound when watching videos with your Meta AI glasses connected to your phone. You'll also be able to customize the left/rigth audio balance, or select mono audio for a louder output.

Last is what Meta calls a groundbreaking new FDA-approved mode named Hearing Enhancement, which uses the glasses' microphones to amplify what someone in front of you is saying. That audio is then immediately played back through the glasses' speakers, which reside over your ear, helping replace hearing aids for some people.

I tried this feature using earplugs to simulate hearing loss and was impressed with how much easier it was to hear the Meta rep talk to me. I'd like to see how it works for someone with actual hearing loss, but the demo felt legit. This feature is coming to select Meta AI glasses, which means all the new models plus a handful of older ones, but it's an extra $149 upcharge to enable the feature. Meta One subscribers get the feature included in their plans.

Ray-Ban Meta Audio

Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

I tried the new Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses at the Hearing Enhancement booth, and they're exactly what you'd expect: cameraless Meta AI glasses. Meta says it chose this because people mainly use the audio function on camera glasses, but it's clear the company is also responding to the privacy issues plaguing the brand.

Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses in the Burbank style
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses in the Burbank style
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses in the Burbank style
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses in the Burbank style
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses in the Burbank style
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Audio in the Clubmaster style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

There are no new exclusive features here, just the optional $149 Hearing Enhancement add-on if you need it. Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses come in two main styles: Burbank, which looks pretty similar to Wayfarer to me, and Clubmaster, which is a radically different style from the rest of the pack. Clubmaster would be my style pick, for sure.

Since there's no camera, these weigh just 42g and feel substantially lighter because of it. Every gram counts with glasses, and it shows here. These start at $349 and will be available on October 7.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Aviator style at Meta Connect 2026

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

It's hard to believe Meta is already launching a 3rd-generation Ray-Ban Meta product, but it's here with some surprisingly light upgrades over last year's pair. They launch in the classic Wayfarer style, as well as two new ones: Aviator and Zena.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Aviator style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Aviator style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Aviator style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Aviator style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Wayfarer style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Wayfarer style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Wayfarer style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Wayfarer style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Wayfarer style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

Aviator is a larger, more structured style with wide lenses, while Zena pulls things in for a more feminine look. The limited-edition Warm Beige Aviators particularly appealed to me, though they'll run you an eye-watering $549. All three models come in black and Havana, plus select "seasonal" options and the usual lens types and colors.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Zena style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Zena style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Zena style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Zena style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 in the Zena style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 sports one extra mic (for a total of 6) and an additional hour of battery life over Gen 2 models. Gen 3 also has the customizable action button from July's Meta AI Glasses, as well as the slightly upgraded chipset, but, curiously, doesn't feature the adjustable nose pads. Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 glasses retail for $449 and up, and are available right now.

LISA needs glasses

Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Meta AI glasses may have launched just two months ago, but Meta is already debuting four new options so people can buy another pair. The main new styles are Capri, which looks somewhat similar to the Adventurer style but with a more cat-eye appearance, and Nova, which has nicely rounded frames. Both pairs start at $299.

Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

In addition to that, Meta is partnering with renowned musician LISA and launching special LISA versions of the Adventurer and Capri styles. These colorways, as Meta called them, feature unique color accents and a trademark star on each temple tip.

Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Adventurer style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Meta AI Glasses in the Capri style with LISA colorway at Meta Connect 2026
Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

Each pair comes with a specially styled case, blind-box-style pet charms that clip onto the case, and unique digital photocards in the Meta AI app, all for $399. Meta is also launching a new $249 pair of Meta AI Glasses with a black frame and grey lenses in the Adventurer style, making them the most affordable pair yet.



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