Meta appears to be gearing up for a significant upgrade to its Ray-Ban smart glasses, with the leaked render of a new model reportedly named “Hypernova.” This high-end iteration is said to include a built-in display, gesture-based controls, and a price range that aligns with other premium wearable devices. The release is anticipated before the end of the year, suggesting that it will serve as a more advanced option that complements the existing Ray-Ban Meta glasses rather than a direct replacement.
In addition to the glasses, a wrist-worn controller, codenamed Ceres, is also expected. This device is designed to facilitate intuitive gesture controls, such as scrolling by rotating the wrist or selecting items with a finger pinch. Originally conceived for Meta’s unreleased Orion AR headset, this wristband would ideally complement touch panels on the glasses’ frames, enabling users to navigate without relying on voice commands.
One of the standout features of the Hypernova is reportedly a small display located in the lower-right corner of the right lens. This screen is expected to show a home interface with circular app icons for functions like the camera, photo gallery, maps, and notifications from messaging apps. This potential for limited augmented reality capabilities, combined with camera and AI enhancements, marks a significant shift from the more passive use of current Ray-Ban models.
As for pricing, the Hypernova is estimated to range from $1,000 to $1,400, a notable increase over previous models but still lower than the Apple Vision Pro. This new pricing reflects Meta’s ambitions in the growing smart glasses market. Future plans for a second-generation model, Hypernova 2, featuring dual displays, are also in the works, although its release is anticipated to be quite a few years away.
This move closely follows Apple’s recent survey of Vision Pro users regarding their experiences with competitor products, indicating that the smart glasses market is becoming a competitive arena. As both Meta and Apple prepare to launch new products, a notable rivalry in the XR headset market is on the horizon.