Meta’s upcoming Connect conference could finally deliver the smart glasses everyone’s been waiting for—complete with a display. While past iterations like the Ray-Ban Smart Glasses have been praised for their utility, their lack of a screen has left many wondering if they’re truly smart. Now, rumors point to a new pair codenamed “Celeste” that may feature a heads-up display capable of showing basic info like weather and notifications. If true, this would mark a major leap forward in Meta’s AR ambitions. The glasses are also said to potentially integrate hand gesture tracking via Meta’s body-reading wristband tech, though that part remains uncertain. With a projected price tag around $1,000 and a bulkier design than the sleek Ray-Bans, Celeste could be a premium, high-end device. But for many, the only real question that matters is simple: does it have a screen? If the answer is yes, Meta might finally turn smart glasses into something truly smart.

Meta has been ramping up its efforts to position itself as a leader in consumer tech beyond AI, with augmented reality and extended reality (AR/XR) taking center stage. Recent developments—from a paper published in Nature detailing breakthroughs in wristband-based gesture tracking to hints of advanced VR research—suggest the company is making real progress toward its long-term vision. Now, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has confirmed that the upcoming Connect conference in September will feature “big wearable announcements,” fueling speculation about what’s next. While past Connect events have typically introduced updated versions of the Quest headset—whether faster, cheaper, or more capable—this year’s focus appears to be shifting toward a new kind of wearable: smart glasses. The most anticipated possibility? A pair of Meta smart glasses with a display. For many, the question isn’t about battery life, design, or app ecosystem—it’s simply: does it have a screen? That’s the one thing people consistently ask when they see the current Ray-Ban smart glasses, and the answer—no, they don’t—often leaves them underwhelmed. Despite their utility for voice commands, audio control, and recording, the lack of a visual interface makes them feel more like “smart-ish” than truly smart. But signs point to a change. Rumors have been circulating about a project codenamed “Celeste,” a next-generation pair of Meta smart glasses expected to feature a heads-up display (HUD). While details remain scarce, early reports suggest the HUD could show basic information like weather updates, calendar alerts, and notifications—just enough to make the glasses feel like a real wearable computer. There’s also speculation that Celeste might integrate Meta’s body-reading wristband technology, which enables gesture recognition through hand and finger movements. However, that part of the story feels less certain, especially since the wristband is still being tested in experimental prototypes like Orion and hasn’t been officially tied to any upcoming consumer product. If the Celeste glasses do launch with a display, they’ll likely come with a hefty price tag—rumors suggest a $1,000 starting point. And given that the current Ray-Bans are barely larger than regular sunglasses, the new model is expected to be bulkier, with more components needed to support the display and sensors. For now, Meta’s success at Connect will be measured by one clear benchmark: finally delivering smart glasses with a screen. Until then, the dream of truly smart glasses remains just out of reach.