Meta Oakley Vanguard: Smart Glasses for Athletes - Official Release

Meta Unveils Oakley Meta Vanguard Smart Glasses

During Wednesday’s Meta Connect 2025 event, the company introduced its latest innovation: the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses. These glasses are specifically designed for athletes, including runners and cyclists, and will be available for purchase starting October 21, with a retail price of $499.

Meta Connect: A Showcase of Innovation

Meta Connect represents the social networking leader’s most significant annual conference. It serves as the platform for unveiling cutting-edge smart glasses and virtual reality headsets.

Enhanced Design and Camera Capabilities

The Oakley Meta Vanguard features a unified, expansive front lens. This differs from previous Meta smart glasses and the Oakley Meta HSTN model, which utilized two cameras positioned at the frame’s upper corners.

The new glasses are capable of recording video in resolutions up to 3K. They also incorporate a 12-megapixel camera equipped with a 122-degree wide-angle lens.

AI Integration and User Experience

A programmable button is integrated into the Oakley Meta Vanguard, allowing users to initiate customized AI prompts. These prompts can be configured through the Meta AI app.

All buttons on the glasses are strategically positioned underneath the frame. This design choice ensures comfortable wear, even when athletes are using helmets.

Power and Charging

The glasses offer up to nine hours of battery life, or six hours of continuous music playback. A dedicated charging case extends this capability, providing an additional 36 hours of power.

Users can rapidly charge the glasses to 50% capacity in just 20 minutes using the included charging case.

Superior Audio and Noise Reduction

The open-ear speakers, boasting a volume six decibels higher than those in the Oakley Meta HSTN, represent the most powerful audio system yet featured in Meta’s eyewear.

A five-microphone array is included, specifically optimized to minimize wind noise during calls, messaging, and voice-activated AI interactions.

Durability and Environmental Protection

The Oakley Meta Vanguard possesses an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. This makes them suitable for rigorous workouts and represents the highest level of protection offered in any Meta smart glasses to date.

The wraparound design incorporates Oakley PRIZM Lens technology, effectively blocking sunlight, wind, and dust.

Integration with Fitness Platforms

The glasses seamlessly integrate with Garmin smartwatches. Users can request real-time performance data, such as heart rate and pace, while engaged in athletic activities.

Compatibility with Strava allows users to overlay performance metrics onto captured videos and photos. These can then be shared directly with their Strava community.

Color Options and Availability

The glasses will be offered in four distinct color combinations: Oakley Meta Vanguard Black with PRIZM 24K, Oakley Meta Vanguard White with PRIZM Black, Oakley Meta Vanguard Black with PRIZM Road, and Oakley Meta Vanguard White with PRIZM Sapphire.

Global Launch Details

Initial availability will be in the United States, Canada, U.K., Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Meta intends to expand the launch to Mexico, India, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates later in the year.

Recent Developments

This announcement follows the unveiling of the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses three months prior. Meta previously described these glasses as their “first product for athletes and fans alike.”

Additional Announcements

Alongside the Oakley Meta Vanguard, Meta also revealed new Ray-Ban smart glasses featuring a built-in display for applications, photos, and navigation. A corresponding wearable wristband was also introduced to control these glasses.

Furthermore, the company announced the Ray-Ban Meta 2, offering up to twice the battery life of its predecessor and 3K Ultra HD video recording capabilities.