Meta Oakley Vanguard Smart Glasses: Blending Athletic Heritage with AI-Powered Innovation

Image: The Meta Oakley Vanguard smart glasses, featuring a sport-optimized design. Credit: Jason Hiner/ZDNET

The wearable tech landscape is evolving beyond everyday convenience into high-performance territory, and Meta's new Oakley Vanguard smart glasses are a testament to this shift. Unveiled at Meta Connect 2025, these glasses—inspired by Oakley's iconic Sphaera visors—prioritize durability and functionality for athletes, from snowboarders to cyclists. As Kerry Wan, Managing Editor at ZDNET, noted after a hands-on session: "I left with curiosity and exhilaration." Priced at $499, they’re positioned as a premium upgrade over Meta’s Ray-Ban lineup and earlier Oakley HSTN models, but it’s their technical execution that demands attention.

Engineering for the Elements

The Vanguard’s design isn’t just aesthetic—it’s a feat of practical engineering. Built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, the frames house components strategically to avoid interference with helmets or goggles. A central 12MP camera (capable of 3K video) sits above the nose pads, a deliberate shift from earlier models to ensure unobstructed recording during high-motion activities. Wan observed that this placement, combined with tactile, remappable buttons, allows users to capture slow-motion footage or trigger Meta AI queries without breaking stride. Battery life clocks in at over six hours, essential for extended outdoor use.

Audio and AI: A Symphony for Speed

Meta touts the Vanguard’s audio system as a breakthrough, claiming clarity even at 30 mph—a bold assertion for wind-prone environments. During a demo, Wan tested this while cycling, finding the speakers delivered "surprisingly fast" responses from Meta AI at volumes that cut through ambient noise. But the real innovation lies in the glasses' ecosystem integration. Through partnerships with Garmin, users can access real-time fitness data hands-free. Ask "How fast am I cycling?" mid-ride, and Meta AI pulls metrics directly from a paired Garmin watch, a feature Wan called "clear enough to process even as I struggled to go up a virtual hill."

Image: Close-up of the Vanguard’s frame, highlighting its sleek build. Credit: Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Why This Matters for Tech’s Future

Beyond specs, the Vanguard signals Meta’s ambition to dominate specialized wearable niches. While Apple and Google focus on mainstream smart glasses, Meta leverages Oakley’s athletic pedigree to carve a space where hardware meets hyper-specific software—like real-time biometrics. For developers, this opens avenues: the glasses’ API compatibility with Apple Health and Google Fit (though currently limited to post-workout analysis) hints at future cross-platform fitness ecosystems. As Wan summarized: "For serious athletes... these feel like a worthwhile investment." Yet, challenges remain. Broader health-platform support is needed, and at $150 more than the new Ray-Bans, the Vanguard’s value hinges on seamless outdoor performance—something field tests will scrutinize post-launch.

The Vanguard isn’t just a gadget; it’s a blueprint for how wearables could evolve—integrating AI into adrenaline-fueled moments, turning passive gear into active coaching tools. If Meta refines its fitness partnerships, these glasses might just redefine what ‘smart’ means on the move.