Smart glasses with a camera: which ones to choose in 2026?

Searches for smart glasses with a camera (lunettes connectées avec caméra, Smart Glasses mit Kamera) are rising sharply. That makes sense: the camera is what makes these glasses truly magical. Here are the models to know and how to choose.

What is the camera for?

• Capturing without taking out your phone: a concert, a downhill bike ride, a moment with your children, filmed exactly as you see them.
• Letting the AI see: ask what a monument is, translate a menu or a sign.
• Sharing live: first-person video calls or streaming to social networks.

Camera glasses without a display

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: the benchmark

12MP sensor, 3K video of up to 3 minutes and up to 8 hours of battery life, in classic Ray-Ban frames such as the Headliner, the Skyler or the Scriber Optics for prescription glasses wearers.

Oakley Meta: the camera for sport

The Oakley Meta HSTN targets active everyday use, while the Oakley Meta Vanguard is built for cycling and running, with a centred camera and Garmin and Strava integration (see our dedicated article).

Xiaomi AI Glasses: the alternative reserved for China

12MP camera, around 40 g, quoted battery life of about 8.6 hours, but sales limited to China and a Chinese-language assistant. Best avoided if you want a local warranty.

Camera glasses with a display

• Meta Ray-Ban Display: 12MP camera and a small colour display in the right lens, which also acts as a viewfinder. Launched on 13 October 2026 in France, Germany and Italy, not yet in Switzerland. It sits at the premium end.
• RayNeo X3 Pro: two colour displays and two cameras, with Google's Gemini AI. Very impressive, but premium and with short battery life according to reviews.

Coming soon: Samsung and Google

Samsung and Google are preparing Android XR glasses with a camera, designed by Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. We take stock in Samsung and Apple: where are their smart glasses?

Camera and privacy: good habits

Meta glasses switch on a visible light while recording. It is no substitute for courtesy: tell the people you are filming and put the glasses away in places where filming is prohibited. If you would rather avoid the question, look at audio glasses without a camera.

Our advice

For everyday filming and photos with a proper warranty in Europe, Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta remain the safest choice. Hesitating between models? Read Ray-Ban smart glasses: which model should you choose?

Sources

• Meta, “Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Available Now” – meta.com
• Notebookcheck, “Meta Ray-Ban Display endlich auch in Deutschland verfügbar” – notebookcheck.com
• TechRadar, “RayNeo X3 Pro review” – techradar.com
• GadgetMatch, Xiaomi AI Glasses – gadgetmatch.com