Meta and Oakley Set to Launch Innovative Smart Glasses for Athletes

Meta Platforms, Inc. and Oakley Inc. are poised to unveil a new pair of smart glasses on June 20, 2025, specifically designed for athletes. This launch comes in the wake of growing interest in smart eyewear, particularly among sports enthusiasts. The announcement was teased through a video shared on a newly created Instagram account, Oakley | Meta, which has generated significant excitement among tech and sports communities alike.

The teaser video, also shared by Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, suggests that this collaboration may build on Meta’s previous venture with Ray-Ban, which has seen considerable success since its launch. In February 2025, EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of both Oakley and Ray-Ban, reported selling over two million units of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, with plans to ramp up production capacity to ten million units by the end of 2026. This indicates a robust market interest in smart glasses and a potential shift in consumer habits towards wearable technology.

According to Mark Gurman, a technology reporter for Bloomberg, the upcoming Oakley smart glasses will differ significantly from the Ray-Ban version, particularly in design and target audience. While Ray-Ban's glasses are equipped with a camera mounted on the temple for general use, the new Oakley glasses are reported to feature a centrally located camera aimed specifically at cyclists and athletes. This differentiation highlights a strategic move by Meta to cater to niche markets within the tech eyewear sector.

In recent years, the smart eyewear market has seen increased competition, with tech giants like Google also stepping into the arena. At the Google I/O developer conference in May 2025, the company announced partnerships with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, indicating a broader industry trend towards integrating technology into everyday wearables. Furthermore, Apple is rumored to be developing its own smart glasses, potentially set for a 2026 launch, adding to the competitive landscape.

The implications of this product launch extend beyond mere consumer electronics. As sports technology continues to evolve, the integration of smart features in eyewear could transform how athletes train and perform. By providing real-time data and insights, these smart glasses could enhance athletic performance and provide a competitive edge.

With the official unveiling scheduled for June 20, the anticipation surrounding the Oakley Meta smart glasses is palpable. If successful, this product could mark a significant milestone in the convergence of sports and technology, establishing a new standard for performance eyewear in the athletic space. Stakeholders from various sectors, including technology, sports, and retail, will be closely monitoring the launch and its subsequent impact on the market.