Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

Glasses available exclusively through the Meta or Ray-Ban online store
 

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) – Smart Glasses with Camera, Audio, and Meta AI

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) is the second generation of smart glasses jointly developed by Ray-Ban and Meta. The device combines traditional eyeglass frames with a camera, microphones, directional speakers, voice control, and Meta AI artificial intelligence services.

The glasses allow, among other things, to:

take photos and record videos from the user's perspective,

make phone calls,
listen to music, podcasts, and voice messages,
send messages using voice commands,
ask questions about the surroundings,
recognize objects and read text visible through the camera,
use conversation translation in supported languages,
operate selected apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Spotify, and Shazam.

The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 does not have a display in the lenses. Therefore, they are not classic augmented reality (AR) glasses. Information, assistant responses, and translations are delivered primarily audibly through the speakers located in the temples, with some content appearing on the phone's screen.

The most important differences from the first generation

The most important improvements to the Gen 2 include:

extended battery life to approximately 8 hours with moderate use,
video recording up to 3K quality,
the ability to record at higher frame rates at lower resolutions,
faster charging,
a case providing up to 48 hours of additional power,
expanded Meta AI and translation features.

The manufacturer claims up to twice the battery life of the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1.

Official regional Ray-Ban websites are inconsistent in their wireless connectivity labeling: some list Wi-Fi 6, while the data sheets for some Gen 2 models indicate Wi-Fi 6E. Before purchasing a specific model, it's worth checking the data sheet for the specific model number [SKU – Stock Keeping Unit].

The glasses are not intended for immersion in water, swimming, or use in heavy rainfall. The built-in battery cannot be replaced by yourself.

Software and Requirements

To configure and fully operate the glasses, you need the Meta AI app, formerly known as Meta View. This companion app is used for:

first-time setup and pairing,
updating the glasses' software,
importing photos and videos,
changing camera and audio settings,
configuring Meta AI,
selecting language and voice,
starting translations,
connecting to supported communication and music apps.

The minimum requirements provided by the manufacturer are:

a phone with Android 10 or later or iOS 14.4 or later,
enabled Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi or data access,
active location services on Android,
a Meta account,
the Meta AI app installed,
updated glasses software,
a charger or USB-C port for charging the case.

The Meta AI app is available in the Polish versions of Google Play and the App Store. The stores list it as free but include in-app purchases.

Polish Language Support

Does Meta AI understand Polish?

Yes, but with significant limitations.

Meta lists Polish as one of the "additional languages" available in the glasses in collaboration with external technology partners. This means that some conversations with Meta AI can be conducted in Polish, but it's not the same level of integration as with the system's primary languages.

When using Meta AI in Polish:

the glasses must be connected to Wi-Fi,

replies may be slower,
some features may be unavailable,
calls, messages, and sharing may not work when using commands in Polish,

the Live AI feature, which continuously analyzes the surroundings, may not be available,
a selection of different assistant voices may not be available,
questions about what the camera sees may be slower.

Supporting Polish as an assistant language does not automatically mean that the live translation feature supports Polish.

Do the glasses translate conversations from Polish?

No. According to the current official list, Polish is not supported by Live Translation.

Offline conversation translation is available for:
English,
Spanish,
French,
Italian,
Portuguese,
German.

When connected to Wi-Fi or LTE, the list also includes Arabic, Russian, Swedish, Finnish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, Turkish, Greek, and Dutch. Polish is not on this list.

In practice, this means that users can attempt to speak Polish with the Meta AI assistant, but cannot currently activate the official seamless conversation translation mode, for example:

Polish ↔ English,
Polish ↔ German,
Polish ↔ French.

How does the translation take place?

During a supported bilingual conversation:

The user selects the language they speak and the language of the other party in the app;

The glasses record the other party's speech;

The user hears the translation through speakers in the earpieces;

The user's response is translated and displayed as text on the phone's screen;

The other party can read the translation or tap the speaker icon in the app to listen to it.

The translation does not appear on the glasses as subtitles. The person wearing the glasses primarily receives audio, while the other party uses a phone running the Meta AI app.

For the six basic languages, you can download a language pack and use the translation offline. The remaining languages ​​require an active internet connection. Polish is not currently available in either mode.

Is translation free?

The current official Meta manual describes Live Translation as a feature of the Meta AI app and does not specify a separate fee or mandatory subscription for using the translation. The app itself is free to download, although app stores indicate in-app purchases are available.

As of this writing:

There is no separate fee for Meta AI in Polish.

Live Translation in supported languages ​​does not have a separate fee.

The user is responsible for standard internet or data connection costs.

There is no guarantee that all future AI features will remain free.

For Polish, the translation price is currently secondary, as Polish is not yet available in the official Live Translation mode.

Availability and Operation in Poland

Please note a significant regional restriction. Poland is not on the official list of countries where Meta declares full availability and support for Ray-Ban Meta. The official list includes, among others, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

The Meta AI app can also be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store in Poland, and Polish is included in the app's language settings. However, this does not guarantee full functionality of all the glasses' features in Poland. Availability may depend on, among other things:

Meta account region,

user location,

country of purchase,

app version,

glasses software version,

the gradual rollout of features on Meta servers.

Before purchasing for use in Poland, please assume that basic hardware features—camera, recording, speakers, and Bluetooth connections—should be less region-specific, while Meta AI, translations, and web integrations may be limited or change after updates.

Advantages

1. Discreet and classic design
The glasses look much more natural than most wearable devices. They are available in popular Ray-Ban styles and can be equipped with sun, clear, photochromic, or prescription lenses.

2. Convenient recording from the user's perspective
Photos and videos can be taken without taking out the phone. This solution is ideal for travel, walks, events, fieldwork, product presentations, or documenting activities.

3. Good sound quality for calls and recordings
The microphone array captures ambient sounds well, and the open speaker design allows you to hear announcements without completely isolating yourself from your surroundings.

4. Longer battery life than the first generation
Up to approximately 8 hours of moderate use and a case that provides up to 48 hours of additional battery life make the Gen 2 more useful throughout the day.

5. Voice Control and Hands-Free Operation
The ability to take photos, start recordings, listen to music, set reminders, or ask questions without using the phone screen is the main practical benefit of the product.

6. Compatible with Prescription Lenses
The glasses can replace daily prescription frames, allowing electronic functions to remain accessible throughout most of the day.

Disadvantages and Limitations

1. No Display
The glasses do not display maps, text, notifications, or translations directly on the lenses. Those expecting traditional augmented reality features may be disappointed.

2. No Polish Conversation Translation
Polish is available as an additional Meta AI language, but it is not supported by Live Translation. This is one of the most significant limitations for Polish users.

3. Lack of Official Full Regional Support in Poland
The device can operate in Poland, but the manufacturer does not list Poland as an officially supported market for AI glasses. This poses a risk of functional limitations and changes after updates.

4. Strong dependence on the Meta ecosystem
A Meta account and the Meta AI app are required for setup. Many AI features require connection to the manufacturer's cloud services.

5. Privacy issues
The glasses contain a camera and multiple microphones, which may raise concerns for those around the user. Although an indicator light is activated during recording, the user should still inform the people being recorded and comply with privacy, image, and call recording regulations.

6. Limited water resistance
The IPX4 rating only protects against accidental splashes and light rain. The glasses are not suitable for swimming or water sports.

7. Non-replaceable battery
Battery wear after a few years may affect the usability of the entire device, as the manufacturer does not provide for user-replaceable batteries.

8. Camera quality lower than that of a modern phone
The camera is very convenient for quick recordings from the user's perspective, but it does not replace a good smartphone or action camera. The vertical format, small sensor, and limited settings options are primarily optimized for social media content.

9. Features may be rolled out gradually.
Not all features are available to all users at the same time. Availability may depend on country, account, software version, and decisions made by Meta services. Official stores also indicate that some features are only available in select countries and languages.