I ditched my iPhone and used the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta (2nd gen) by using it as my travel guide in Rome, Italy — but I absolutely got the wrong pair
The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses offer improved camera quality and battery life, making them a capable option for hands-free photography and navigation during travel. Tested in Rome, they performed well as both a camera and tour guide, though limitations in AI accuracy and photo-taking ease were evident. While they remain the best smart glasses for most users, the iterative upgrades may not justify the price for everyone.
- ▪The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) starts at $379 and includes upgrades in video resolution and battery life over the first generation.
- ▪During testing in Rome, the glasses were used as a primary camera and travel guide, offering hands-free convenience.
- ▪The glasses feature 12MP ultra-wide cameras, support 3K video at 30fps, and provide up to 8 hours of battery life with the case offering up to 48 additional hours.
- ▪Audio is delivered through open-ear speakers, but some sound leakage and privacy concerns were noted.
- ▪Users can transfer existing lenses from Gen 1 frames to the Gen 2, reducing costs for previous owners.
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TechRadar Verdict The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta still stands as the best smart glasses for most people, but they don’t move the needle enough to suggest they’ll hold onto that spot for the next few years. That being said, I was impressed by just how capable and streamlined they are in use, and the upgrades to camera specs and battery life make these a viable option if you’re tired of experiencing life through a phone-camera lens. $321.99 at Amazon(Blue) $322.15 at Best Buy(Black) $322.99 at Target $379 at GlassesUSA.com(Black) Pros +Better photo and video quality +Stylish in a wide range of frames +Longer battery life +Clear and loud audio Cons -Privacy minefield -Still some audio leakage -AI is not 100% accurate -Difficult to take good photos Best picks for you The best smart…
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