A new era of wearable technology in South Africa
Meta has officially unveiled its new lineup of smart glasses, and they’re now available right here at 180by2 – The home of XR in South Africa. From upgraded Ray-Ban classics to performance-driven Oakleys, this generation pushes what smart eyewear can do.
Whether you’re a creator, a professional, or an athlete, there’s a model designed to fit your lifestyle. And with local warranty and trusted support, you can shop with confidence.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 – Classic style, smarter than ever
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 takes the beloved Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Skyler and Headliner frames, and supercharges them. You get more AI functions, 3K Ultra HD video, and double the battery life (8 hrs vs 4 hrs). You also get louder speakers (+6db) for calls, music, and voice commandsPerfect for everyday use—whether you’re capturing POV video, messaging hands-free, or staying productive on the go.
Shop Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Glasses
Oakley Meta Vanguard – Built for performance
For athletes and adventurers, the Oakley Meta Vanguard is the true performance powerhouse of the lineup. With an ultra‑wide 12MP camera, immersive audio that cuts through 30mph winds, and IP67 sweat, dust, and water resistance, it’s engineered for intensity. From cycling and running to outdoor training, the Vanguard delivers endurance with up to 9 hours of use and 36 more with the charging case.
Pre‑orders are open now, shipping from early November.
Pre‑Order Oakley Meta Vanguard
Ray-Ban Meta Display – A Glimpse of the Future
While not yet available at 180by2, the Ray-Ban Meta Display deserves mention. It introduces an in-lens high‑resolution display and the Meta Neural Band, allowing you to control experiences with subtle wrist and hand gestures. From discreet messaging to real‑time translations, captions, and even two‑way video calls, it redefines what eyewear can do.
We’ll share updates (and videos) as soon as availability in South Africa is confirmed—because this is one you’ll want to see in action.
New Meta AI Updates – Conversation Focus & Live AI
Meta is enhancing what your smart glasses can do. A new feature called Conversation Focus will soon help you hear better in noisy environments—whether at a busy restaurant, on the train, or at a live concert. Using the glasses’ open‑ear speakers, it amplifies the voice of the person you’re speaking to while reducing background noise. Best of all, this update will roll out not only to the newest models but also to Gen 1 Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses.
You can now enjoy about 1–2 hours of continuous live AI with your Ray-Ban Smart glasses. The company's CEO has said they're looking to make Meta AI an always available assistant instead of a feature you have to activate, in the nearest future. However, current hardware and software limits place the max length at approximately 2 hours.
How About the Older Glasses?
Ray-Ban
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 glasses are still available—and still relevant. With updates like Conversation Focus and other Meta AI improvements rolling out soon, Gen 1 remains a solid, affordable entry point for anyone new to smart glasses.
Here’s how the options compare:
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Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: 3K video, longer battery (8 hrs vs 4 hrs), louder speakers (+6db) - necessary enhancements to a stellar foundation.
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Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1: Camera and audio features at a more accessible price, boosted by upcoming software updates.
Oakley
On the Oakley side its less of a Gen 1 vs Gen 2 scenario and more 'glasses for your everyday runner' vs 'glasses for athletes'. The Oakley Vanguard comes with a slew of features that put it in its own class. Barring the perfomance-focused upgrades, the Oakley Meta HSTN still offers 3K video, 8-hour battery life and a design that's more durable than the Ray-Ban Metas.
Here's how the options compare:
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Oakley Meta HSTN: Rugged and stylish, performance‑focused with 3K video and 8‑hour battery—ideal for those who want a tougher frame than Ray-Bans.
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Oakley Meta Vanguard: The endurance athlete’s choice—advanced audio, IP67 rating, Garmin & Strava integration, and long battery life.
Which Meta glasses are right for you?
Now that there are bunch of Meta Smart Glasses the question becomes: which of the Meta Smart Glasses Should I buy? Summarized, its:
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Everyday users & professionals → Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2
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First‑time adopters → Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1
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Style + toughness seekers → Oakley Meta HSTN
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Athletes & adventurers → Oakley Meta Vanguard
You could also just get the Vanguard because you find technology fascinating.
Explore the full collection of Meta AI glasses today.