Meta's $800 Hypernova Glasses: A Bridge to Mainstream AR

Meta is set to launch its Hypernova smart glasses at a price point of approximately $800, with the device expected to debut at the company’s annual Connect conference in September 2025. The glasses, which will be sold in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, represent Meta’s first consumer-ready smart glasses featuring a display. The device will include a small digital display embedded in the right lens, allowing users to view notifications, take photos, and interact with basic applications [1]. The glasses are codenamed Hypernova internally, and they are considered a bridge between Meta’s voice-only smart glasses and its more advanced augmented reality (AR) offerings [2].

The Hypernova glasses will come paired with a wristband controller that uses sEMG (surface electromyography) technology to interpret hand gestures and translate them into commands for the glasses. This wristband, developed by Meta’s CTRL Labs division, is a key component in the company’s strategy to move toward gesture-based interactions in wearable technology [1]. The wristband is expected to be a critical part of future AR glasses, with data from Hypernova potentially improving the design and functionality of future iterations [3]. Unlike camera-based gesture tracking, such as Apple’s Vision Pro, Meta’s wristband directly reads the electrical signals generated by muscle movements, offering a different approach to user input [1].

Meta is also introducing a third-generation voice-only smart glass with Luxottica, which will include capacitive touch functionality for navigation [1]. This version, referred to in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection letter as “The Next Generation Smart Glasses,” is part of an expanded partnership between the two companies. Luxottica, which owns brands such as Ray-Ban and Prada, has already achieved strong sales of the second-generation smart glasses, with over 2 million units sold since 2023 [1]. The partnership has also expanded beyond product development, with Meta acquiring a 3% stake in Luxottica and securing exclusive rights to use its brands for smart glasses technology [1].

The price of $800, which includes the sEMG wristband, marks a significant reduction from earlier estimates of up to $1,400 [2]. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the price cut reflects Meta’s strategy to prioritize demand over profit margins, a common tactic for new technology products [2]. The lower price is seen as a response to the market reception of competing products such as Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro, which, despite its advanced features, has struggled to gain broad adoption due to its high cost [2]. Meta’s approach appears to be targeting a mainstream audience rather than just early adopters or high-end consumers.

The Hypernova glasses will run a customized version of Android, but they will not include a dedicated app store [2]. Instead, they will rely on integration with the company’s broader ecosystem of devices and AI tools. Meta is also working with developers, particularly those specializing in generative AI, to create experimental apps that will demonstrate the potential of the glasses and help generate consumer interest [1]. The company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has previously showcased experimental AR glasses like Orion, which featured dual-lens AR capabilities [1]. While the Hypernova glasses will have a more limited display, offering a 20-degree field of view, they represent a step forward in making AR technology more accessible to the general public [1].

The release of Hypernova and its accompanying wristband is expected to begin in October 2025, with pre-orders likely to open shortly after the Connect event [2]. As Meta continues to expand its presence in the wearable technology market, the success of the Hypernova glasses will be closely watched, particularly in light of the company’s broader financial commitments to its Reality Labs division [1]. The ability to deliver a compelling user experience at a lower price point could help Meta establish a foothold in the smart glasses market, setting the stage for more advanced AR devices in the future.

Source: [1] Meta to unveil Hypernova smart glasses with a display, wristband at Connect next month (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/22/meta-hypernova-ar-glasses-wristband.html) [2] Meta's next-gen smart glasses could land next month for less cash than you'd think (https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/metas-next-gen-smart-glasses-could-land-next-month-for-less-cash-than-youd-think) [3] Meta's 'Hypernova' smart glasses will cost a lot less than expected (https://mashable.com/article/meta-smart-glasses-display-hypernova) [4] Meta 'Hypernova' smart glasses will reportedly be revealed at Connect in September (https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/vr-ar/meta-celeste-smart-glasses-with-wristband-may-be-cheaper-than-we-think-what-we-know) [5] Meta might be close to launching its smart glasses with a display (https://www.theverge.com/news/764797/meta-might-be-close-to-launching-its-smart-glasses-with-a-display)