Meta Ray-Ban Display Repairablity is Predictably Bad, But Less Than You Might Think

After getting their hands on a pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, iFixit reveals what’s inside and whether they are repairable. Unfortunately, the glasses are not easily repairable, but with replacement parts, you could potentially swap out the battery.

The Latest News

Meta recently launched their $800 smart glasses in the US, featuring a heads-up display for the first time. These glasses offer a monocular display, allowing users to interact with apps beyond the standard features found in other Meta glasses. Users can view and respond to messages, receive walking directions, and even use the display as a viewfinder for photos and videos.

iFixit’s latest video showcases the intricate process of opening up the glasses for repairs, highlighting the challenges involved.

One of the main challenges is replacing the battery, which involves splitting the right arm along a glued seam—a common feature of the device. Accessing the 960 mWh internal battery, slightly larger than the one in Oakley Meta HSTN, requires sacrificing the device’s IPX4 splash resistance rating.

iFixit delves deep into the glasses, reaching the dual speakers, motherboard, Snapdragon AR1 chipset, and liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) light engine, showcasing Meta’s intricate design.

However, it’s important to note that this is a teardown and not a repair guide. The components are custom, and replacement parts are not readily available. Specialized tools and a willingness to take risks are necessary for any repair attempts.

For more details, refer to iFixit’s full article for images and detailed component information. You can also watch the full nine-minute video of the teardown below.

Personal Perspective

Currently, Meta may not prioritize reparability in their smart glasses, focusing instead on miniaturization for all-day wearability. The plastic and glue-coated exterior of the glasses are likely essential for achieving the desired form factor.

Additionally, Meta may be banking on the fact that early adopters willing to invest in the current model will also be inclined to upgrade to future generations. Given Meta’s history of quick product releases, a new and improved version could arrive sooner than expected.

Realistically, achieving a high level of reparability in smart glasses may require reaching sales volumes comparable to smartphones. Until then, users may have to accept the possibility of eventually discarding their glasses due to repair difficulties.

While the idea of seamless smart glasses is appealing, it may come with the trade-off of limited repair options. Ultimately, users may need to weigh the convenience of a sleek design against the potential challenges of maintenance.