Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has made a bold prediction: augmented reality (AR) glasses will replace smartphones in the future. At the Meta Connect event held on September 25, he introduced the company’s latest AR innovation, the Orion glasses, while explaining why he believes they could become the next essential tech device.
In an interview, Zuckerberg stated, “There are already about one to two billion people who wear glasses every day. Just like how people transitioned from basic phones to smartphones, I think people who wear glasses and use smartphones will quickly adopt smart glasses in the next decade. As these become more popular, even people who don’t wear glasses will eventually switch to them.”
Meta’s new Orion glasses represent a leap in AR technology. Unlike other bulky virtual reality headsets, the Orion glasses are lightweight, with a sleek design resembling regular sunglasses. Made from magnesium alloy, they are equipped with a custom chip developed by Meta. Weighing under 100 grams, the glasses are far lighter than the Apple Vision Pro, which weighs 600 grams.
The Orion glasses are designed to integrate 3D overlays into the real world, offering users a wide field of view, a 3D display, and a small projector built into the frame. For full functionality, the device also includes an extension worn on the wrist, resembling a smartband. While the Meta CEO didn’t perform a live demonstration, a promotional video highlighted the reactions of various people, including Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang, as they experienced the glasses.
Zuckerberg revealed that development on the Orion glasses began 10 years ago, back when smartphones like the iPhone and Android devices were first gaining popularity. However, the technology won’t be available commercially until 2027, when the glasses are expected to be smaller and lighter than the current prototype.
One of the most significant aspects of the Orion glasses is their affordability. Meta plans to price them at around $300, a stark contrast to the hefty $3,500 price tag of Apple’s Vision Pro. “We’re not going to try to cram everything into the glasses,” Zuckerberg explained. “We’re focusing on the most practical features for a wearable device.”
Meta has already invested tens of billions of dollars into Reality Labs, the division tasked with developing AR and virtual reality (VR) platforms. This significant investment is part of Zuckerberg’s vision to lead the AI and AR race, positioning Meta as a dominant player in the industry.
Looking ahead, Zuckerberg also spoke about the future role of artificial intelligence in shaping human relationships. As people increasingly find themselves with fewer close friends, he predicted that many will turn to virtual friends created through AI.
Zuckerberg’s vision positions AR and AI as the key drivers of future tech, signaling Meta’s continued ambition to revolutionize how people interact with technology and each other.
