Meta Platforms (META) is drawing fresh investor attention after launching its first Ray-Ban smart glasses with a built-in display and a new Neural Band wearable. The $799 glasses show Meta’s big move into augmented reality, and the brain-sensing band points to its broader wearable tech plans. Together, these launches highlight Meta’s shift beyond social media and may create new growth opportunities that investors think could lift the stock. META stock gained 0.50% in after-hours trading on Wednesday.
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For context, Meta and Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica (ESLOY) began their smart-glasses partnership in 2019, launching the first generation in 2021. In 2024, the two companies extended the deal with a long-term agreement to continue developing Ray-Ban smart glasses well into the next decade.
Meta’s New Glasses Blend Display with AI
The latest Ray-Ban display glasses are the newest product from Meta’s partnership with the French eyewear company, with an in-lens display that improves on earlier models.
Additionally, each pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses comes with the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that reads tiny muscle signals so users can control the glasses with small hand movements. The glasses and Neural Band set will sell for $799 and launch on September 30.
The company also introduced a refreshed Ray-Ban smart glasses model and a new Oakley sports line, both under EssilorLuxottica. These AI-powered shades feature a camera and speakers to sense surroundings, snap photos, record video, play music, and respond to voice commands.
Meta Bets Big on Wearable Tech
At the launch event, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized the rising demand for AI glasses, saying the new devices can help bring back the sense of presence that smartphones have reduced.
Meanwhile, EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri said on an earnings call earlier this year that the company has sold over two million pairs of Meta smart glasses since the second-generation launch in fall 2023. He added that production capacity is set to scale to 10 million pairs a year by the end of 2026.
Overall, Zuckerberg emphasized that 2025 will be a critical year for measuring Meta’s progress in scaling AI-powered glasses to hundreds of millions, and eventually billions, of users. He also stressed that smart glasses will remain a top priority for the company alongside its major investments in VR and AR.
Is META Stock a Good Buy Now?
Turning to Wall Street, Meta’s shares have a Strong Buy consensus rating on TipRanks. This is based on 42 Buys and six Holds assigned over the last three months. Meanwhile, the average META stock price target of $873.14 indicates a 12.56% upside from its current price.
