Initially, Meta was said to be eyeing a price north of $1,000 for Hypernova, with some estimates pegging it as high as $1,400. That would’ve put the glasses in the same bracket as flagship phones or even entry-level laptops a tough pitch for a product category that’s still new to most consumers. But Meta seems to have pulled back, cutting costs and accepting thinner profit margins to get people on board early. The result? A starting price closer to $800. Of course, extras like prescription lenses or designer frames will drive the price higher, but the entry point is far more accessible than many expected.
Hypernova isn’t being positioned as a full-blown AR headset just yet. Instead, Meta is pitching it as a stepping stone between today’s smart glasses and the future of true AR wearables. Early details suggest the glasses will feature a tiny display tucked into the right lens, letting users glance at notifications, basic apps, and alerts without pulling out their phone. They’ll also pair with Meta’s neural wristband an accessory the company has been developing for years which reads signals from your wrist to translate subtle hand movements into commands. That means no fiddling with buttons or touchpads just seamless control.
The timing of Hypernova’s launch also ties into the larger AR/VR race. Apple’s Vision Pro, which hit the market last year at a hefty $3,499, has struggled to shake off criticism around its high price, bulky design, and a limited library of content. Apple has positioned it as a premium mixed reality headset with cinema-like experiences, but so far its appeal has largely stayed within the circle of enthusiasts and professionals. Sales have been modest, and even Apple appears to be treading carefully holding off until it can deliver a lighter, more affordable version later this decade.
Meta is taking a different path with Hypernova, focusing on practicality and price over ultra-premium features. Instead of competing with Apple’s Vision Pro, the glasses are aimed at everyday use quick access to notifications, navigation, or simple productivity—at a price closer to a premium phone.
The strategy builds on Meta’s Ray-Ban experiments but goes further with a display and new control system. For consumers, Hypernova could be the first real taste of AR in daily life. Whether it becomes a stepping stone or a niche gadget will depend on how well Meta backs it with apps and ecosystem support.