Updated
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) vs Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)
Meta released Gen 3 at Connect on 23 September 2026 and kept Gen 2 on sale beside it. The gap is smaller than the jump from Gen 1. Both have a 12MP camera that records 3K, open-ear speakers, 32GB of storage, IPX4 splash resistance and the Meta AI app. Gen 3 adds a sixth microphone, a customizable action button, a 100-degree camera view and a camera and LED opening that Ray-Ban says is 36% smaller. Meta rates Gen 3 at 9 hours of mixed use against 8 for Gen 2. The US launch price went from $379 to $449.
Short answer
Gen 3 is the better pair if you take calls in noisy places, want the action button and wider shots, and it is sold where you live. Gen 2 covers the same core jobs for less and is sold in many more countries. If your budget is fixed, the cheaper Gen 2 gives up very little: the camera resolution, storage, water rating and Rx range are the same on paper.
Choose Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) if
Choose Gen 2 if you want the established package at a lower price, or you live in a market where Gen 3 is not confirmed yet, such as Japan, South Korea, Brazil or Mexico. Meta's help pages also list Early Access features such as autocapture and conversation focus for Gen 2 that they do not yet mention for Gen 3.
Choose Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) if
Choose Gen 3 if call quality matters: Meta says its six-mic array cuts more than 90% of background noise. The action button can be set to a shortcut, the camera covers 100 degrees and photos come out at 3024x4032. Meta also says Dolby Atmos video capture is coming later in 2026.
Published specs side by side
Rows that differ are marked. "Not published" means the maker hasn't given a figure.
| Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) | Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $379 (starting price at launch)[1] | $449 (starting price)[2] |
| Status | On sale | On sale |
| Type | AI glasses with a camera and open-ear speakers | AI glasses with a camera and open-ear speakers |
| Display | None | None |
| Camera | 12 MP; 3K Ultra HD 30fps; 1080p 60fps; 720p 120fps; ultrawide HDR[1] | 12 MP; 3K Ultra HD 30fps; 3024x4032 photos; 100-degree FOV; Dolby Atmos video capture coming later in 2026[3] |
| Audio | open-ear speakers, 5-mic array | open-ear speakers, 6-mic array (cuts more than 90% of background noise, per Meta) |
| Battery (glasses) | up to 8 hours (glasses, typical/moderate use)[1] | up to 9 hours (glasses, mixed use)[2] |
| Weight | 51 g | 51.5 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Prescription | -12.00 to +6.00 total power[4] | -12.00 to +6.00 total power (Gen 3 Aviator: -6.00 to +4.00)[4] |
| iPhone | iOS 17.2 or later[5] | iOS 17.2 or later[5] |
| Android | Android 10 or later[5] | Android 10 or later[5] |
| Controls | touchpad on right arm, capture button and voice ("Hey Meta") | touchpad, capture button, customizable action button and voice ("Hey Meta") |
| Countries listed | 29[6] | 29[6] |
| Features tracked | 26 | 24 |
The differences that matter
- Microphones: five on Gen 2, six on Gen 3, with Meta claiming more than 90% background-noise reduction for the new array.
- Battery: 8 hours of typical use and 48 hours from the case for Gen 2; 9 hours of mixed use and 50 hours from the case for Gen 3.
- Controls: Gen 3 adds a customizable action button to the touchpad, capture button and voice control.
- Camera: both are 12MP and record 3K. Gen 3 lists a 100-degree field of view and 3024x4032 photos, and Ray-Ban says the camera and LED opening is 36% smaller.
- Frames: Gen 2 comes as Wayfarer, Skyler and Headliner. Gen 3 comes as Wayfarer, Zena and a limited Aviator for Ray-Ban's 90th anniversary, whose Rx range is narrower at -6.00 to +4.00.
- Countries: Gen 3 is confirmed on store pages in eight countries so far: the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, India and Singapore. Gen 2 is listed in many more.
- Price: $379 for Gen 2 at launch against $449 for Gen 3 in the US. In the UK, Gen 3 Wayfarer starts at £409.
Features only one of them has
Based on the features each maker lists for the model. A feature missing here may still arrive by software update.
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) only: Autocapture (Early Access), Conversation focus, Scan and pay (UPI Lite)
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) only: Muse personal AI agent / Muse Spark model
Questions people ask
Is Gen 3 heavier than Gen 2?
Barely. Engadget's figures put the Wayfarer at 51 g for Gen 2 and 51.5 g for Gen 3. Other frame shapes may differ, and neither maker has published weights for every style.
Do Gen 2 and Gen 3 run the same features?
Mostly. Meta's help pages list live translation, look and ask, calls, messaging and Be My Eyes for both. The Early Access features autocapture and conversation focus are listed for Gen 2 and not yet mentioned for Gen 3.
Open this pair in Compare to swap either model.
Sources
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Now With Up to 2X the Battery Life(about.fb.com, read 4 October 2026)
- Introducing Ray-Ban Meta Audio and More AI Glasses Styles (Meta newsroom)(about.fb.com, read 5 October 2026)
- Discover Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses (Ray-Ban US)(ray-ban.com, read 4 October 2026)
- How to order prescription lenses for AI glasses(meta.com, read 5 October 2026)
- Meta AI app (Apple App Store)(apps.apple.com, read 5 October 2026)
- AI glasses supported countries(meta.com, read 5 October 2026)
Last verified 5 October 2026 against the sources listed on this page.