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Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2): First Impressions & In-Use Thoughts

Written by

Kristián Ivančo

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When I first saw the Gen 2 Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I was curious but skeptical — smart glasses always sound like a good idea, but real life tends to expose the corners they cut. After spending a few days using them (photographing, recording, walking around, notifications, etc.), here’s how things shake out.

What’s Improved (and Really Nice)

  1. Battery lifeThis is probably the biggest step forward. Gen 2 promises up to 8 hours of “typical use” on a full charge. That’s a solid gain over the previous versions.  Also the charging case gives you a lot of extra juice when you’re out and about.  
  2. Camera and Video CaptureThe camera is upgraded to 12 MP ultrawide, and video capture now can hit 3K Ultra HD at 30 fps, plus some faster-frame or alternate modes coming (slow motion, hyperlapse).  Photos look better, more detail. If you’re someone who wants quick “on the go” capture, this is a noticeable improvement.  
  3. Design, Comfort & UsabilityFrom wearing them, the frames are lighter and more comfortable than I expected. They feel like “regular sunglasses with added smarts”, rather than bulky tech-gadgets.  The “Cosmic Blue” color-scheme (and a few others) add some flair. It’s not just all function; there’s style here.  
  4. Improved Features & Mic / AudioThere are more & better microphones, which helps both for voice commands and pick-up of ambient sound (for conversation/translation features). The audio from the open speakers is passable — good enough for voice & notifications. Not surround-sound, but for what it is, it’s acceptable.  Also, “Conversation Focus” (to isolate voices) seems like a useful addition in busier/noisy environments.  
  5. New Software / AI StuffFeatures like live translation (more languages being added) and improvements to the Meta AI response latency are helpful. If you expect it to just “do things with voice”, this feels more polished.  

What’s Not Perfect / What Still Bugs Me

  1. Price bump & value trade-offThe new price (about US$379) is higher than earlier models, and with the improvements, that makes sense — but it also forces you to think whether you’re really using enough of the features to justify spending that much.  
  2. Public situations & self-consciousnessWearing smart glasses that record feels weird in some settings. Even though they look more “normal” than earlier bulky smart glasses, there’s always a bit of “am I being watched / am I bothering people” feeling. Also, others may react to the camera. Doesn’t break the product, just something to get used to. (Personal/ethical concerns may vary.)
  3. Latency / responsiveness still not flawlessSometimes voice commands are slower than hoped, or the device takes a moment to “wake up”. For quick snapshots or spontaneous capture, delays can matter. It’s improved vs older versions, but not perfect.  
  4. Photo/video limits & constraintsEven at 3K, there are trade-offs: battery drain, storage limits, the angle/wide lens gives a different feel & may distort things, sometimes vertical video orientation etc. Also, recording time per clip may still be limited.  
  5. Privacy concernsAlways a thing with wearable cameras. Though Meta, Ray-Ban provide visible LEDs, etc., people around you may still feel uneasy; regulations/etiquette aren’t always clear. If you’re sensitive to that (or often in private spaces), this can be a drawback.

Who These Glasses Are Good For / Use Cases

Here are the kinds of people who’ll likely get real utility:

  • You like capturing moments hands-free (travel, outdoor, events) and want better quality than your phone offers without pulling it out.
  • You’re into wearable tech & enjoy having “smart helper” features — voice, AI, translation etc.
  • Style matters to you; you want something that almost looks like regular glasses/sunglasses.
  • You’re okay with occasionally charging / carrying the case / managing battery more consciously.

And those for whom maybe these aren’t worth it:

  • If your primary need is music or audio quality (these aren’t going to replace dedicated headphones or earbuds).
  • If you rarely need wearable capture or don’t mind using your phone; the phone is still more versatile in many cases.
  • If budget is tight; $379 isn’t cheap.

Verdict: Is Gen 2 Worth It?

Overall, I lean toward yes, Gen 2 is a meaningful upgrade. It doesn’t solve every issue, but it fixes enough pain points (battery, video quality, comfort) to make the purchase feel worthwhile — especially if you’d wanted the original model but felt it fell short in some areas.

If I were buying, I’d view this as something of a “luxury gadget” rather than an essential tool. But one I’d enjoy owning.

If there’s a “but” it’s that you need to accept trade-offs: some sluggishness, battery still finite, occasional awkwardness in social situations, etc.

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