Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses Review: The Diva in the Stylish & Smart
The new-generation Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are the result of Ray-Ban’s collaboration and arrangements with Facebook, which brings the classic style of Ray Ban cat eye sunglasses into fusion with smart features. However, for all the tech, there are significant concerns to keep in mind.
Launch Timing
While the timing of any new smart glasses has yet to be confirmed, winter in the northern hemisphere strikes me as a strange time for Google to do so. And yet, overcast skies and not-so-much sun are prevalent in November’s UK climate papers, where I’m standing now testing out the appraisal of these Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses with meta. Given the attempt to convey a sense of experience, wearing these stylish sunnies in such conditions feels slightly contrived.
More Than Just Sunglasses
Not that it is all about just nose-biting and eye protection, which you get in these Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses with meta.
- Fun fact: abiding by global safety standards.
- Two designs are being released for themselves: the Catering Wayfarer and Headliner, each of which comes in a range of colors and lens shades from clear to dark. You can also add prescription lenses, a huge advantage for an individual who needs them.
Tech-Packed Frames
Tech: Making the Eyewear SpecialThe glasses are really unique due to tech being embedded within their frames. These Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses represent a sequel to the Ray-Ban Stories from 2021, but Meta has made enough improvements that it’s comfortable slapping its name on them this time around. The camera has been upgraded from 5MP to 12MP for better photos and videos. Improved audio quality with five hidden mics and up to 50% better speakers, new Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6E), among other improvements. These Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses have 32 GB of in-built storage space, which will do the job for us.
Comfort and Style
The Wayfarer model I tried on was comfortable to wear once my eyes adjusted from the slightly different weight of my day-to-day frames. The 50-gram weight is only a tad heavier than typical Wayfarers, and they remain comfortable when extended wearing. Design-wise, they look similar to traditional Wayfarers, but with the tech cleverly hidden in them.
Easy Setup
The Meta View app makes the glasses easy to configure. No Meta account is needed, and it takes only a couple of seconds to complete the process. The new MagSafe charging case offers eight full charge cycles (up to 24 hours from the previous model) for a total of 32 battery-lifeHOURS.
Photo and Video Capabilities
You can take photos and videos with a button on the right arm. The 12-MP camera turns out pretty sharp shots, but images take on a fish-eye effect as if you’re looking through a wider lens and not what your eyes are seeing. You need to get the very composition before framing shots is difficult and requires much trial-shaped output. The video is pretty decent, with solid stabilization and pretty good spatial audio from five mics.
Social Media Focus
Specifically for social media lovers, these glasses have a unique design to offer. With the Meta View app, people can easily share content on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Montages can be clip-montaged together and even live-streamed to Instagram reel or Facebook at 720p, albeit with a drop in quality.
Privacy Concerns
Major con Privacy concerns The barely-there LED recording light makes them feel like they are being watched. This issue ties back to the aftermath of Google Glass from over a decade ago and still stands today.
Integration with AI and Voice controls
Meta said that it plans to include AI capabilities in the glasses as well, so they could be used for other applications such as making queries about your environment or receiving suggestions on what text might make good captions on photos. The Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses already have some basic voice controls in place, and they provide strong performance even in a noisy tech briefing room. The five-mic array captures voices well and delivers a clear experience for the user.
Impressive Audio Quality
Audio quality is the strength of Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses with meta. The Poulep speakers provide clear, high-fidelity sound and are a great replacement for in-ear buds when listening to music or podcasts. The speakers are directional and, therefore, act to prevent audio bleeding so you can keep listening without your cubicle neighbor being forced into spousal counseling.
Final Verdict
Ray Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses with meta deliver audio in a pair of stylish shades but are not worth buying as they are today. The inability to frame photos, worries about privacy, and the fact that you have to wear them all of the time in order for the instant capture feature means these may need more time to be ready for prime time. That cool tech makes them more of a novelty than an essential accessory, though.
If looking cool and checking Instagram once in a while is high on your list of wants, these could be the new spectacles for you. But if you are hoping for a full-featured recording device or convenient daily wear glasses, we suggest otherwise.
