Meta officially launched the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses during Meta Connect 2025 this Wednesday. Designed specifically for cyclists, runners, and high-performance athletes, the wearable device will retail for $499 and hits the market on October 21.
Advanced Hardware for Peak Performance
The Vanguard model marks a significant design shift, moving away from the dual-camera setup seen in the Oakley Meta HSTN. Instead, it features a large, unified front lens. The onboard 12-megapixel camera is capable of capturing video in 3K resolution with a 122-degree wide-angle field of view.
Engineered for comfort during intense activity, all physical buttons are positioned on the underside of the frame, ensuring athletes can wear helmets without interference. The device boasts an IP67 dust and water-resistance rating, the highest level of protection Meta has integrated into its smart eyewear to date.
AI Integration and Battery Specs
Productivity and focus are central to the Vanguard experience. A programmable button allows users to trigger custom AI prompts via the Meta AI app. Powering these features is a battery capable of up to nine hours of general use or six hours of continuous music playback. The included charging case provides an additional 36 hours of battery life, with a fast-charging capability that reaches 50% capacity in just 20 minutes.
Connectivity: Garmin and Strava Integration
Meta has leaned heavily into the fitness ecosystem. The glasses offer direct integration with Garmin smartwatches, allowing users to receive real-time audio updates on heart rate and pace. Furthermore, users can sync with Strava to overlay performance metrics directly onto photos and videos captured during workouts.
Audio quality has also been upgraded, with open-ear speakers that are six decibels louder than the previous HSTN model. A five-microphone array works to suppress wind noise, ensuring clear communication during calls or when interacting with Meta AI.
Availability and Color Options
The Oakley Meta Vanguard will launch in four distinct colorways:
- Black with PRIZM 24K
- White with PRIZM Black
- Black with PRIZM Road
- White with PRIZM Sapphire
The initial release includes the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Meta plans to expand availability to Mexico, India, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates later this year.
This rollout follows the release of the Ray-Ban Meta 2, which features 3K Ultra HD capture and doubled battery life, alongside new smart glasses equipped with integrated displays for navigation and app usage.