At Meta Connect 2025, Meta introduced the Oakley Meta Vanguard, a smart glasses model designed for runners, cyclists, and high-intensity sports enthusiasts. Priced at $499, the Vanguard will be available starting October 21, 2025.

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What Makes These Glasses Athletic-Grade

Meta has clearly designed the Vanguard to withstand the rigors of active use:

• Durability & Fit: The glasses use Oakley’s Three-Point Fit system and come with interchangeable nose pads (low-bridge, high-bridge options) for a secure and comfortable fit. They’re also optimized for use with helmets or hats.
• Weather Resistance: They feature an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance — that is a high level of protection, meaning the glasses can handle sweat, rain, dust, etc.
• Lens Technology: Oakley PRIZM™ Lens tech is included to block sun, wind, and dust — helping athletes see clearly in tough outdoor conditions.

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Camera, Audio & Controls

These aren’t just rugged frames — they’re smart frames:

• Camera: A 12-megapixel, 122° wide-angle camera capable of up to 3K video resolution captures a broad field of view. New modes include slow motion, hyperlapse, and adjustable stabilization.
• Audio: Equipped with open-ear speakers that are about 6 dB louder than the previous Oakley Meta HSTN models. A 5-microphone array helps reduce wind noise during calls, voice control, or listening to audio while moving.
• Controls & Buttons: Controls are placed underneath the frame so they can be operated even when wearing helmets. There’s also a programmable button users can assign a custom AI prompt to via the Meta AI app.

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Battery, Charging & Usage

• The glasses provide up to nine hours of mixed-use battery life, or six hours of continuous music playback.
• A charging case adds another 36 hours of charge when needed. Quick-charge gets the glasses to 50% in about 20 minutes.

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Fitness & Data Integrations

Meta understands athletes want data, and they’ve built in several features:

• Real-time stats (heart rate, pace, etc.) via integration with Garmin devices.
• Users can ask voice commands like “Hey Meta, what’s my heart rate?” without needing to stop or look at a screen.
• An LED status indicator shows up in peripheral vision when you hit certain pre-set performance goals (pace, HR, etc.) so you can stay on track without checking a watch.
• The glasses support a feature to automatically capture video clips once you reach milestones (e.g. certain distance, speed, heart rate). These can be overlaid with performance data and shared directly to apps like Strava.

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Design, Availability & Price

• Available in four frame/lens color combinations such as Black with PRIZM 24K, White with PRIZM Black, etc.
• Weighing around 66g. Designed to fit securely even with strenuous motion like running or cycling.
• Launch regions include the U.S., Canada, UK, several European countries, Australia, etc. Later rollout planned for Mexico, India, Brazil, UAE, among others.

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What Differentiates It from Previous Models

• Compared to the Oakley Meta HSTN, Meta Vanguard steps up in battery life, audio loudness, water resistance, user fit, and camera technology.
• More focused on performance metrics and fitness integrations (Garmin, Strava), rather than just casual use.

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🔍 Why This Matters

The Oakley Meta Vanguard reflects a trend of wearable tech becoming more specialized and more integrated. Athletes don’t just want gadgets; they want tools that add value to workouts, training, and performance tracking — without breaking their flow or needing screens.

For Meta, this is also a push into a growing segment of sports wearables, aiming to capture users who demand ruggedness, precision, and utility. It shows an effort to move beyond just form or novelty, towards truly functional smart eyewear.