Smart glasses have moved from being an unusual concept to becoming a genuine category of wearable technology. Instead of carrying a phone for every quick photo, call, voice command or music session, smart glasses can put some of those functions directly into a familiar looking pair of spectacles.

The Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 is one of the more stylish examples of this approach.

Designed around Ray Ban’s familiar eyewear styling and Meta’s connected technology, the Skyler combines a built in camera, open ear speakers, microphones, Bluetooth connectivity and Meta AI functionality in a conventional looking frame.

The particular model shown in the product listing is the Skyler style in Shiny Black, with a 52 20 size configuration. Ray Ban’s UK store confirms the Skyler Gen 1 is available with a Shiny Black frame and lists the model under the Ray Ban Meta collection.

But are these glasses actually useful, or are they simply an expensive piece of wearable technology?

This review looks at the design, camera, audio, AI capabilities, battery, connectivity and everyday usability to help UK buyers decide.

Affiliate Disclosure: GadgetTonic participates in the Amazon Associates Programme and may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This does not affect the price you pay.

Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 at a Glance

Feature	Details
Product	Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1
Frame style	Skyler
Frame colour	Shiny Black
Size	52 20
Frame shape	Cat Eye
Camera	5 MP on Gen 1
Audio	Open ear speakers
Microphones	Five microphone array
Storage	32 GB
Battery	Up to 4 hours
Connectivity	Wi Fi and Bluetooth
Controls	Touch and voice
Assistant	Meta AI
Phone compatibility	Compatible iOS and Android phones
Prescription support	Available depending on lens configuration

Ray Ban’s official Gen 1 specifications list 32 GB of flash storage, capacity for more than 500 photos or more than 100 thirty second videos, Wi Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, along with up to four hours of battery life on a single charge.

---

What Are Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 Glasses?

The Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 is essentially a pair of Ray Ban glasses with technology built into the frame.

Rather than looking like a traditional piece of consumer electronics, the Skyler retains the appearance of fashion eyewear while incorporating:

• A built in camera
• Open ear speakers
• Multiple microphones
• Touch controls
• Voice controls
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Wi Fi connectivity
• Meta AI
• Rechargeable battery
• Internal storage

The idea is simple.

Instead of reaching into your pocket every time you want to take a picture, listen to something, make a call or ask a quick question, you can interact with the glasses.

That makes the concept particularly interesting for people who want technology to feel less intrusive.

---

Ray Ban Meta Skyler Design

The biggest attraction of the Skyler may actually be its appearance.

The frame does not immediately look like a gadget.

The Shiny Black finish shown in the product listing gives the glasses a classic appearance, while the technology is integrated into the arms and frame.

Ray Ban identifies the Skyler as a cat eye frame with a high bridge fit. The official UK listing shows the 52 20 sizing configuration.

This is important because smart glasses only really work as an everyday product if people are comfortable wearing them.

A futuristic headset covered in visible electronics would be difficult to wear outside the home.

The Skyler takes a different approach.

It looks much closer to conventional Ray Ban eyewear.

Shiny Black Finish

The Shiny Black finish is particularly versatile.

It can work with casual clothing, office wear and everyday outfits without immediately drawing attention to the technology.

For UK buyers who want smart glasses without wearing something that looks like a science fiction accessory, this is one of the strongest aspects of the design.

---

Built In Camera

The camera is one of the main reasons to consider smart glasses.

It allows you to capture photos and videos from your own point of view without physically holding a smartphone.

However, this is where it is important to distinguish between the generations.

The Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 uses a 5 MP camera according to official Ray Ban specifications.

The newer Gen 2 model has moved to a 12 MP camera, which is why you may see 12 MP mentioned in newer Ray Ban Meta product information.

That distinction matters when researching the product.

What Can You Capture?

The camera can be useful for:

• Everyday moments
• Travel
• Walking
• Cycling
• Family activities
• Quick photographs
• Short videos
• First person content
• Social media content

The biggest advantage is convenience.

You do not need to pull out your phone, unlock it and position the camera.

You can simply use the capture button or voice commands.

Meta’s current documentation explains that Ray Ban Meta glasses are designed around hands free capture, voice interaction and smartphone integration.

---

Open Ear Audio

Another major feature is the built in open ear audio system.

Instead of placing earbuds inside your ears, the speakers sit within the glasses arms and direct sound towards your ears.

This allows you to listen to music, podcasts or calls while remaining aware of your surroundings.

That can be useful when walking around a busy UK town or travelling.

You can hear audio while still being able to hear traffic, conversations and other sounds around you.

Meta describes Ray Ban Meta’s audio system as open ear audio designed for music, calls and Meta AI while keeping users aware of their surroundings.

Are They Better Than Earbuds?

That depends on what you want.

Traditional earbuds generally provide stronger isolation and can deliver a more immersive listening experience.

The advantage of the Skyler is convenience.

You can wear the glasses normally and still have access to audio without putting another device into your ears.

For podcasts, calls and casual music listening, this can be a particularly attractive concept.

---

Meta AI

The AI functionality is what separates these glasses from ordinary Bluetooth sunglasses.

With Meta AI, the glasses can respond to voice commands and provide hands free assistance.

The system is designed around voice interaction, meaning you can speak to the glasses rather than constantly using your phone.

Possible uses include:

• Asking general questions
• Controlling music
• Making calls
• Sending messages
• Taking photographs
• Recording videos
• Interacting with compatible apps
• Getting information about your surroundings

Meta says AI glasses can be used for hands free tasks such as asking questions, making calls, sending messages and interacting with things you see.

However, AI functionality can vary according to country, language, software version and account configuration.

UK buyers should therefore check which Meta AI features are currently available in their region before purchasing.

---

Five Microphones

Voice interaction would not be particularly useful if the glasses could not hear you properly.

The Skyler includes a five microphone array.

This supports voice commands, calls and other audio functions.

The microphone system is part of what makes the glasses feel more like a hands free computer than simply a pair of Bluetooth sunglasses.

For someone who regularly takes calls while walking, the ability to speak naturally without holding a phone can be convenient.

---

Storage

The Gen 1 Skyler provides 32 GB of flash storage.

Ray Ban states that this can accommodate more than 500 photos or more than 100 videos of 30 seconds each.

The actual number of files you can store will naturally depend on file size and usage.

For casual users, the capacity should be sufficient for temporary storage before transferring content to a phone.

The glasses are not intended to replace your smartphone’s storage.

Instead, they act as a convenient capture device that can transfer your content to your connected phone.

---

Battery Life

Battery life is one area where buyers need realistic expectations.

The Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 is rated for up to approximately four hours of use on a single charge. Meta’s UK store currently confirms that Gen 1 Ray Ban Meta glasses offer up to four hours, compared with up to eight hours for Gen 2.

Actual battery life will depend on how you use the glasses.

Frequent:

• Video recording
• Audio playback
• AI interaction
• Phone calls
• Connectivity

can all affect battery performance.

This means the Skyler is better viewed as a rechargeable wearable rather than something you can forget about charging for several days.

---

Bluetooth and Wi Fi Connectivity

The glasses connect to compatible smartphones through Bluetooth and Wi Fi.

Ray Ban’s Gen 1 specifications list Bluetooth 5.2 and certified Wi Fi connectivity.

The Meta AI app acts as the main control centre for the glasses.

Once connected, you can manage settings, transfer media and interact with the features supported by the glasses.

This smartphone connection is important because the Skyler is not designed to replace your phone completely.

Instead, it extends some smartphone functionality to your face.

---

Prescription Lens Compatibility

One of the most interesting aspects of the Ray Ban Meta platform is that these glasses are available with prescription compatible configurations.

That means some users can potentially use them as their everyday glasses rather than needing to carry a separate pair.

Ray Ban’s product information provides prescription lens options depending on the particular frame and lens configuration.

If you require prescription lenses, check the exact configuration before ordering because lens availability can vary.

---

Who Should Buy the Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1?

The Skyler makes the most sense for certain types of buyers.

Content Creators

If you regularly create short form content, the first person perspective can be useful.

You can capture moments without holding a phone or camera.

Travellers

For travelling, hands free photographs and audio can be convenient.

You can keep your phone in your pocket while exploring a new location.

Tech Enthusiasts

If you enjoy experimenting with new wearable technology, the Skyler offers an interesting combination of traditional eyewear and AI.

Everyday Users

You do not have to be a professional content creator to benefit.

The glasses can be useful simply for calls, music, voice commands and quick photos.

---

Who Should Not Buy Them?

The Skyler is not perfect for everyone.

You may want to consider another product if:

• You want several days of battery life
• You require advanced camera performance
• You want a completely independent device without a smartphone
• You prefer strong noise isolation from earbuds
• You do not regularly use AI or voice controls
• You want the newest Ray Ban Meta hardware

The last point is particularly important in 2026.

The Gen 2 range now exists, and official Ray Ban information shows improvements such as longer battery life and a higher resolution camera.

Therefore, the Gen 1 makes the most sense when its price provides a meaningful saving.

---

Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 vs Gen 2

If you find both generations available, compare them carefully.

Feature	Gen 1	Gen 2
Camera	5 MP	12 MP
Battery	Up to 4 hours	Up to 8 hours
Storage	32 GB	32 GB
Open ear audio	Yes	Yes
Meta AI	Yes	Yes
Skyler style	Yes	Yes
Best for	Lower cost entry	Newer technology

The newer generation is clearly more advanced in some areas.

However, that does not automatically make Gen 1 a bad purchase.

If you find a substantial discount on the Gen 1 Skyler and mainly want hands free audio, calls, AI and occasional photography, it can still be an interesting option.

---

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Stylish Ray Ban design
• Shiny Black Skyler frame
• Built in camera
• Open ear speakers
• Five microphone array
• Meta AI integration
• Voice and touch controls
• 32 GB storage
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Wi Fi connectivity
• Prescription lens options
• Hands free photography
• Useful for calls and music

Cons

• Around four hours maximum battery life
• Gen 1 has an older 5 MP camera
• Requires a compatible smartphone for many functions
• AI availability can vary by region
• Not a replacement for a smartphone
• Gen 2 offers significant hardware improvements

---

Is Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 Worth Buying in the UK?

The answer depends heavily on the price.

At its original positioning, the Skyler was an innovative wearable that combined fashionable eyewear with camera, audio and AI technology.

Today, however, buyers have another consideration.

The newer Gen 2 models offer longer battery life and a significantly improved camera.

That makes the Gen 1 most attractive when you can find it at a competitive price.

For someone who wants to experiment with AI glasses without paying for the latest generation, the Skyler Gen 1 can still make sense.

Its biggest strengths are not raw specifications.

They are convenience, hands free interaction and familiar Ray Ban styling.

---

Final Verdict

The Ray Ban Meta Skyler Gen 1 is an interesting piece of wearable technology that successfully combines traditional looking eyewear with cameras, open ear audio, microphones and AI functionality.

The Shiny Black Skyler design is arguably one of its biggest advantages because it looks like a normal pair of Ray Ban glasses rather than a complicated electronic device.

The built in camera gives you a convenient way to capture first person moments, while the open ear speakers allow music, calls and other audio without blocking your ears.

The main weaknesses are the approximately four hour battery life and the older 5 MP camera.

With Gen 2 now available, the Gen 1 should therefore be considered primarily when the price is attractive.

Our verdict: A stylish and genuinely useful introduction to AI glasses, particularly for buyers who value hands free photography, calls, audio and Meta AI and can find the Gen 1 at a good UK price.

Before You Buy

Check the current Amazon UK price and compare it with the newer generation before purchasing. If the Gen 1 discount is substantial, it can be a compelling entry point. If the price difference is small, the newer generation may offer better long term value.

Prices and availability can change, so always check the current listing before purchasing.