Ray-Ban Meta or Oakley Meta HSTN? The battle of smart glasses

Indian Express

5 days ago

Meta made a leap into the eyewear segment with Ray-Ban Meta in 2023. The smart glasses which are now available in India are essentially a sleek headset that comes with a 12MP ultra-wide camera, open-ear audio, and a five-mic array. So far, the tech giant has sold over two million pairs globally.
Fast-forward to 2025, Meta partnered with Oakley to introduce the Oakley Meta HSTN line, which comes with a sporty spin on the company's AI eyewear. With the Oakley HSTN Meta limited edition now entering the market, there seems to be some tough competition for Ray-Ban Meta.
If you are planning to buy a Meta-backed pair of smart glasses, it is likely you may have many questions about how Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta stack up against each other. To make things easy, here is an instant comparison between the two wearables.
For starters, both models feature 12MP ultra-wide cameras, capturing 3024 x 4032 images and 1440 x 1920 video at 30 FPS. However, the Oakley HSTN takes a slight lead with a 100-degree field of view and the ability to record 720p video at a super-smooth 120 FPS. The Wayfarer's field of view remains unlisted, making the HSTN a more versatile choice for action-packed moments.
In terms of performance and AI integration, both smart glasses are somewhat similar. They offer full access to Meta AI for vocal queries, live translation, and seamless interaction through the Meta AI app. Making calls, sending texts, and managing settings are equally intuitive on both.
For audio, both feature open-ear speakers. While the Ray-Ban Wayfarer specifies 'open-ear Bluetooth speakers' with Bluetooth 5.2, the Oakley HSTN simply states 'open-ear' but comes integrated with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. This minor upgrade in the HSTN could translate to slightly more stable and efficient wireless audio.
If cutting-edge camera features like a wider field of view and higher frame rate video are your priority, the Oakley HSTN Meta offers a slight edge. However, for core smart glass functionalities and AI integration, both models deliver a similar experience.
In terms of size, the Oakley HSTN is available in a single size and weighs 49 grams, whereas the Ray-Ban Meta offers standard and large options, with the standard weighing the same as the Oakley.
The Oakley HSTN has a more rounded lens and noticeable notched nose pads, while the Ray-Ban Meta has the recognisable square Wayfarer lens.
Users can also opt for many other lens options. The Ray-Ban Meta offers a more extensive selection with transitions between clear, green, brown, and red. More frame colour options, including a special transparent option, are available with Ray-Ban Meta, offering more customisation.
On the other hand, the Oakley HSTN is only available in one colour option, and it only gets the Prizm 24K polarised lens, which is designed for sports and outdoor settings.
Between the Oakley HSTN and the Ray-Ban Meta, a key difference lies in battery life, with Oakley claiming a substantial eight hours on a single charge, double Ray-Ban's stated four hours.
The charging cases also present a notable contrast. Oakley's case promises an impressive 48 additional hours of use, surpassing Ray-Ban's 36 hours. While Ray-Ban offers a sleek leather case, Oakley's more rugged design caters to active lifestyles.
The decision ultimately comes down to cost and design. The limited-edition Oakleys are significantly more expensive, and it depends if the improvements, such as a better camera and better battery, truly make more than a marginal difference.
The Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which start at Rs 29,900 and go up to Rs 35,700, will be slightly less expensive than the Oakley smart glasses, which come at $499 (about Rs 43,000). The Wayfarer provides a more affordable access into the world of smart glasses, while the HSTN appeals to more experienced users due to its better cameras as well as extended battery life.