Oakley Meta Vanguard: Smart Glasses for Athletes
Oakley Meta Vanguard is a new series of smart glasses unveiled by Meta at the annual Meta Connect 2025 event, tailored specifically for runners, cyclists, and outdoor adventurers. With a retail price of $499 (approximately ₹43,500 in India), these glasses are set to launch on October 21.
Enhancements from Previous Models
This introduction follows the earlier release of Oakley Meta HSTN three months ago, but the Vanguard takes athletic eyewear to the next level by offering heightened durability, superior camera features, and seamless integration with fitness platforms.
Key Features of Oakley Meta Vanguard
The Oakley Meta Vanguard boasts a variety of impressive features:
- A single front lens with a 12MP wide-angle camera capable of capturing 3K video
- A programmable AI button that triggers custom prompts through the Meta AI app
- Open-ear speakers that are six decibels louder than the HSTN model
- A five-microphone array equipped with wind-noise reduction for clearer communication
- Nine hours of battery life (six hours for music playback) with an additional 36 hours available through the charging case
- IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, which represents the highest rating among Meta smart glasses
Quick Charging and Synchronisation
Athletes can enjoy a quick charge feature that allows the glasses to reach 50% battery in just 20 minutes using the case.
The glasses are compatible with Garmin smartwatches, providing real-time metrics such as pace and heart rate. They also work with Strava, allowing users to overlay performance data on photos and videos for easy community sharing.
Advanced Lens Technology
Meta highlights that the wraparound Oakley PRIZMTM lens technology is crafted to protect users from various outdoor elements like sunlight, wind, and dust during their training sessions.
Variants of Oakley Meta Vanguard
The Oakley Meta Vanguard will be offered in four distinct variants:
- Black with PRIZMTM 24K
- White with PRIZMTM Black
- Black with PRIZMTM Road
- White with PRIZMTM Sapphire
Launch Plan
The initial phase of the launch will encompass markets in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. A second phase later in the year will include Mexico, India, Brazil, and the UAE.
Additional Announcements from Meta
Alongside the Vanguard, Meta also introduced other innovative products:
- Ray-Ban Meta 2, featuring double the battery life compared to previous versions and capable of 3K Ultra HD video
- Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses, which include a built-in lens display for applications, navigation, and live translations