Meta’s Smart Glasses Drop to $800, First Display-Equipped Model Launches in September

Meta is set to release its first smart glasses with a built-in display next month, along with an unexpected pricing adjustment. According to the latest reports, the new product—initially expected to be priced above $1,000—will now start at $800. Analysts interpret this as Meta sacrificing profit margins to establish market acceptance before competitors enter the field.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted that Meta’s move reflects a classic consumer electronics strategy: lowering prices to attract early adopters and achieve economies of scale. Companies like Apple and Samsung have previously used similar tactics to drive adoption of new products, and Meta itself has experience in this approach within the smart device market.

The report further suggests that if priced above $1,000, the glasses would likely remain a niche luxury item. However, the $800 price point makes them more accessible, positioning them as a viable alternative to high-end smartwatches, iPads, or even entry-level laptops.

Codenamed “Hypernova”, the new glasses will feature a small display capable of showing notifications, maps, and mini-apps within the user’s field of view. Control may be enhanced by Meta’s long-in-development “neural wristband” accessory, enabling more intuitive operation. Compared to Meta’s existing Ray-Ban or Oakley collaborations—which only offer AI voice assistants and cameras—Hypernova represents a significant evolution in Meta’s smart glasses lineup.

Meta’s current wearable portfolio includes the $399–$499 Oakley Meta HSTN series and the continuously updated Ray-Ban smart glasses. Industry experts suggest the $800 Hypernova will serve as a bridge product between consumer-grade glasses and full AR headsets, lowering the barrier to entry.

Meanwhile, Apple’s Vision Pro has struggled with lukewarm market reception since its launch. Priced at $3,499, its bulky design and limited use cases have hindered sales. Recent reports criticize Apple for being “too slow” in rolling out new features and content, potentially further stalling the product’s growth.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman argues that while Apple plans to release an M4-chip-equipped successor to the Vision Pro this year, minor hardware upgrades alone won’t revive demand. True market stimulation will require functional innovation and content expansion, with immersive video seen as the most promising killer app.

In contrast, Meta’s wearable strategy focuses on achieving “meaningful scale” for smart glasses rather than catering to niche markets. Compared to Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro, Meta emphasizes affordability and mass adoption, aiming to establish a market foothold before AR devices