iFixit, a repair guide website, took apart Ray-Ban's new Meta Display AR glasses and was impressed with their technology. However, they are very difficult to repair.
One of the site's technicians bluntly stated: "It's pretty clear that the first versions of these smart glasses will be non-repairable." There are several reasons for this. First of all, to replace the battery, the user will have to actually disassemble the arms and frame, as Meta does not provide any official way to do this. The speakers are soldered in, and the lenses are custom-made, so they are difficult to replace. Any repair requires special skills and tools.
At the same time, iFixit experts praised the quality of the lenses. They are equipped with a geometric wave system with partially reflective mirrors that direct light at precise angles to the user's eyes. This not only creates an AR effect, but also protects the screen from prying eyes.
The right bracket houses a mini-projector based on LCoS technology, which produces an image with a resolution of 600×600 pixels without artifacts and "eye glow". It is also difficult to repair.
Due to the complexity of the design, iFixit suggests that Meta may sell these glasses at a loss — especially due to the expensive lenses. Recall that they cost $799. At the same time, experts urge the company to focus on replaceable batteries, modular arms, and replaceable lenses in the future.