# Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 costs $70 more, and most of what's new comes to the Gen 2 too

Source: https://idevice.com/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-what-the-70-dollars-buys
Published: 2026-09-28

> The extra $70 buys new frame styles and small hardware gains, not a better camera. Gen 2 owners get most of the new software anyway.

The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 starts at $449, which is [$70 more than the Gen 2](https://www.engadget.com/2268392/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-ai-glasses-comparison/). The glasses now last up to nine hours on a charge, up from eight, and the case holds up to 50 hours, up from 48. There's a sixth microphone, and Meta says the new array cuts more than 90% of ambient noise. A new customizable button can trigger Meta AI, start a capture or send a message. Wayfarer is the only frame carried over from the Gen 2, joined by an Aviator and a cat-eye Zena, across 27 color and lens combinations.

The camera didn't change. It's the same 12MP ultrawide sensor with video up to 3K at 30 frames per second, and the chip appears to be along for the ride too, [despite pre-launch rumors of a new AR1+](https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-its-better-but-i-wouldnt-rush-to-upgrade/). Most of the software Meta announced alongside the Gen 3 is coming to Gen 2 models as well, including hearing enhancement, the Muse AI agent and dynamic photo capture. The camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio costs $100 less than the Gen 3 for anyone who doesn't want a camera.

## Sources

- [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2268392/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-ai-glasses-comparison/) (Engadget)
- [Digital Trends](https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ray-ban-meta-gen-3-vs-gen-2-its-better-but-i-wouldnt-rush-to-upgrade/) (Digital Trends)