You will need a newish smartphone: iPhone 6S and above running iOS 13 or later, or a phone with Android 8.1 or above. There are certainly privacy concerns here – while the red light and ‘startup’ sound should alert those nearby, the same problems of having a camera on your face at all times persist from the days of the Google Glass, and it doesn’t seem like it'd be too hard to deface the front indicator for more discreet and even invasive usage. The power button sits on the inside of the left eye, with the indicator (white for pairing, blue for 'on') on the inside of the right, so most of the flashing parts are well hidden from view – aside from a red indicator on the front to show those around you that you’re recording. The Ray-Ban logo is tastefully etched into the right lens, as well as the sides of the frame.
#Smartday review full#
We found that an hour of light on/off usage only drained the glasses’ battery by about half – with a very helpful % indicator in the app – and you should be able to get a full afternoon or day’s usage out of a single case charge. It takes about an hour, if not just over, to fully charge, with about three hours of listed usage through the case. The glasses and case both feel a bit chunkier and weightier than the average pair of shades – which is to be expected – though they still feel light on the face and compact enough to slip into the average rucksack, purse, or tote bag. The glasses come bundled with a charging carry case, which itself charges via a USB-C port. There are about 20 distinct models, all in all, with the various colors (black, green, blue, brown) and lenses all accounted for. The collaboration of the 1937-founded lifestyle brand extends further than the frame, though, with lenses coming in clear, sun, transition, and prescription options.
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(It’s the Round model that seems the most like Snapchat Spectacles, though we go into more detail on similarities here.) They come in a variety of Ray-Ban designs from over the ages: Wayfarer (tested), Wayfarer Large, Round, and Meteor.
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#Smartday review upgrade#
In Australia, the Ray-Ban Stories are also available at OPSM and Sunglass Hut stores, with the option to upgrade to polarized lenses (starting at AU$489), transitions lenses (AU$539) and prescription lenses.
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That’s a cut under what we saw for the last iteration of the Snapchat Spectacles (which cost $380 / £330) but about twice as much as the original Spectacles (which cost $129 / £129 / AU$169). The Ray-Ban Stories launched on September 9, 2021, and retail for $299 / £299 / AU$449 – the same RRP as the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, no less. You can buy them now at the Ray-Ban website (opens in new tab) or (soon, we're told) at many Luxottica stores. (Image credit: Future) Price and release date