Meta Revenue & Profits (2024): Invest for the AI & Big Data, Not Orion Smart Glasses

Meta is likely a good investment but not for the Orion AR glasses...

Meta recently announced the launch of Orion AR (augmented reality) glasses prototype at the Meta Connect 2024 event – but these will not be ready anytime soon for mainstream consumers.

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth indicated that consumer AR glasses based on Orion tech could launch within “a couple years, but not decades” – suggesting potential release circa 2027.

This aligns with previously leaked internal Meta roadmaps that suggest AR glasses hitting store shelves in 2027.

Estimated cost of Orion AR glasses (Meta)

• More than the Meta Quest 3 ($500)

• Price-point comparable to “affordable phones and laptops”

• Predictions suggest the price will range from $700-$1500

Currently the Orion AR prototypes cost around $10,000 to produce – so costs need to be cut significantly or they won’t sell well.

Will the consumer version differ from the prototype?

• The consumer version will likely have a different design than the Orion prototype

• Meta is focusing on making the glasses more fashionable (gotta look good)

• The company also aims to slim down the design while maintaining or improving features

Meta’s smart glasses are a dumb reason to invest…

Although the announcement of these smart glasses generated a lot of hype on social media and optimism about Meta’s stock - I don’t think the “Orion AR glasses” a smart reason to invest in Meta.

Why? We already know that Apple is working on its own version of smart glasses (distinct from its “Apple Vision Pro” headset).

Apple has integration advantages (Apple users will want to use Apple Glass over Meta) and has manufacturing capabilities that Meta lacks.

We also know that Meta’s physical products have historically been a money pit.