Codenamed Hypernova, the Meta glasses will sell for about $800 in partnership with EssilorLuxottica - CNBC

Codenamed Hypernova, the Meta glasses will sell for about $800 in partnership with EssilorLuxottica - CNBC

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is poised to make a significant foray into the wearable tech market with its upcoming launch of the Hypernova smart glasses. Set to debut at the company's annual Connect developer conference in September, these glasses are expected to challenge existing devices and establish Meta's position in the competitive wearable tech landscape.

The Hypernova smart glasses will feature a monocular display, a customized Android OS, and a bundled wristband called Ceres, which will enable gesture-based controls. Powered by a Qualcomm chip, the device will also include capacitive touch controls for smooth navigation [1]. This strategic pricing decision, with the glasses set to sell for around $800 in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, positions the Hypernova as a direct competitor to high-end smartphones, particularly the iPhone 12 [1].

Meta's move to price the Hypernova at $800 is a calculated strategy to boost demand and secure a strong market position. By accepting lower profit margins, the company aims to attract early adopters and establish itself in the wearable tech market before competitors release similar products [1]. The company is positioning these smart glasses as a potential alternative to smartphones, aligning with Meta's broader vision of shaping the future of personal computing [1].

The Hypernova represents a significant upgrade from Meta's current offerings, such as the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses priced between $200-$400 and the Oakley-branded Smart Glasses starting at $499 [1]. The new model's advanced features and competitive pricing place it in a unique position within Meta's product lineup and the broader wearable tech market [1].

The launch of the Hypernova is part of Meta's larger strategy in the XR (Extended Reality) and AI wearable market. It serves as a stepping stone towards more advanced products like Project Orion, which aims to combine the benefits of VR headsets with the form factor of fashionable eyewear [1]. This move by Meta could potentially disrupt the wearable tech market, challenging not only other smart glasses manufacturers but also high-end smartwatches, tablets, and entry-level laptops [1].

The tech industry and consumers alike will be watching closely to see how these smart glasses perform in the market and whether they can truly offer a compelling alternative to traditional smartphones. The Hypernova is expected to be unveiled next month, marking a crucial time as competition in the XR and AI wearable space intensifies, with companies like Apple and Google also developing their own AR glasses [1].

References:
[1] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/meta-s-hypernova-smart-glasses-with-built-in-display-set-to-launch-at-800-19164/
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/22/meta-hypernova-ar-glasses-wristband.html