Meta's new smart glasses start at $299 — the real deal for la gente

Meta just announced new smart glasses, starting at $299, with a full lineup that goes up to $999. The cheaper models are built for everyday use — listening to music, taking photos, answering calls. The pricier ones pack in more features like AR displays and better cameras. There's a version for people who just want smart glasses without the full AR experience, and one for folks who want the whole package.

This isn't Meta's first go at smart glasses, but the pricing puts it within reach of regular folks. At $299, it's the kind of purchase you can make without a credit card split — unlike the $1,000+ models that drew the tech crowd. For abuelos who want to video call without juggling a phone, for primos who want to snap a picture without digging out their phones, for la gente who want something that actually works without needing a software update every week.

Why this matters for us: Meta's pricing finally puts smart glasses within the range of working families who've been told to wait on the tech — meaning more of us can actually use these tools instead of just watching from the sidelines.