I wore the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for a year before I reviewed them and found the AI gadget very fun to use. With built-in speakers that connect to your phone, a camera to take snaps and short videos and constantly updated AI tools, the wearable has become a big hit with buyers, too.
The Ray-Ban Meta cost from £299 but the companies have just announced a new collaboration with luxury fashion brand Coperni, introducing a limited edition of the glasses that you’ll have to be quick to snap up.
That’s because Meta, the owner of Facebook, says they are “available in limited quantities”, with no confirmation just how many pairs are on sale in the UK. A close peek at a press image shows each pair is numbered out of 3,600, so with stock presumably going worldwide these scarce specs won’t stay on store shelves for long.
You can buy a pair from Meta’s website or direct from Coperni. The catch? They cost £519, a chunk of change more than the regular Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers cost – and the swanky new pair don’t do anything more than the normal ones. The cost is just for bragging rights and that designer brand.
Coperni is a Parisian fashion brand established in 2013. The French firm calls the new collaboration “a fusion of Coperni’s futuristic style, Meta’s cutting-edge technology, and Ray-Ban’s iconic design.
“This exclusive take on the classic Wayfarer features a transparent black frame with grey mirror lenses for modern sophistication and visual clarity.
“The Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni Limited Edition Wayfarer merges high fashion with advanced AI technology,” Meta said. “Featuring sleek design, grey mirrored lenses and seamless connectivity, this exclusive edition offers camera, audio and voice assistant functions to capture every moment while staying connected.
“Available in limited quantities, along with a custom case, for those ready to redefine the art of AI glasses.”
I had a lot of fun wearing the regular smart glasses, particularly for playing tunes from my phone while running (they act like open ear headphones) and for taking videos hands-free while on holiday. Of course, they are also great for being actual sunglasses too, with the design quite subtle, though a light flashes when you take a photo or stays lit to show others you’re recording a video, which can be up to three minutes long.
Just like the normal Ray-Ban Meta, the Coperni limited edition are a little thicker as the arms and frame are hollow to hold the computer components, chips, speakers and battery. But the design is lovely, with a transparent black look that screams sophisticaation.
I just don’t know if I’d spend £519 for the privilege, especially when the normal pair is available in several colours for £299.