Meta Nova Gen 3 Smart Glasses Review: Incremental Upgrades, AI Still Lacking

The Meta Nova Gen 3 smart glasses, a non-Ray-Ban-branded model priced at $299, offer only modest improvements over the previous generation. Battery life extends to nine hours, one hour more than Gen 2, and the mic array—identical to the Meta Glasses that debuted in June—proved effective in a real-world test when it filtered out a blaring fire alarm during a phone call. The glasses also feature a dedicated button for Meta's AI assistant and a slimmer, lighter fit available in dozens of color and frame combinations. Camera specifications remain unchanged: 12-MP sensors capable of 3K video, same as Gen 2. The camera housing is smaller, making the glasses less conspicuous; a colleague in the WIRED office didn't initially notice they were camera-enabled. However, the AI assistant remains unreliable, failing to accurately describe the glasses' own features even with a photo reference. The Meta-designed frames lack Conversation Focus, a hard-of-hearing aid available in early access on Ray-Ban and Oakley models, and do not yet integrate with Meta's Muse AI, promised for later this year. The Ray-Ban-branded Gen 3 models start at $499. While the glasses capture decent photos and video and include a tamper-proof indicator light, the reviewer suggests sticking with Gen 2 to save money, as the upgrades are not revolutionary.