Mentra Live is pitching itself as a Ray-Ban Meta alternative that stays open. Instead of a locked feature set, it runs MentraOS, an open-source operating system with an SDK for third-party apps.
Mentra says this is its first pair of smart glasses, built around apps from day one. It highlights an HD 12MP camera, stabilized livestreaming across major social platforms, AI integration, plus calls and music.
The buying window is limited, with batch 1 capped at 1,000 units and priced at $299, and a February 15 shipping date listed. Mentra says Batch 2 ships later in Q1, with a limited amount available.
Apps, not just hardware
The platform story starts with the MiniApp Store. Mentra calls it the only app store for smart glasses, and it says developers have been building MiniApps for it since early 2025.
Owners access those MiniApps through Mentra’s iOS and Android app, and the glasses support iOS 15.1+ and Android 12+. It’s meant to feel like adding apps to a phone, just routed through your eyewear.
The early catalog Mentra points to is a mix, including AI Notes and utility-style tools like Poker Probability and Chess Cheater, plus an app called Merge Proactive AI. The list leans experimental, which is the upside of an open target.
Mentra also ties openness to trust. Its CEO Cayden Pierce argues users should be able to choose apps and control data on a community-driven platform, not one dominated by big tech. The announcement doesn’t spell out the privacy controls in detail.
What you trade for openness
On paper, the hardware is straightforward camera glasses. Mentra lists a 43g frame, a 12MP camera with a 119-degree field of view, three microphones, and stereo speakers.
Battery is another selling point. Mentra claims 12-plus hours on the glasses, a 2,200mAh case adding 50-plus more, and an “Infinity Cable” that can pull power from a phone or battery pack. It also lists a Mediatek chipset paired with a low-power MCU for efficiency.
But the comparison to Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses still has gaps. Mentra doesn’t provide sample footage, detailed image processing notes, or clear regional availability in the announcement, so it’s hard to judge polish beyond specs.
What to watch next
Mentra Live will live or die on software quality. If MiniApps stay updated and useful, the glasses could feel fresher longer than a closed system.
If you’re tempted, watch for hands-on reports that test camera output, streaming stability, and day-to-day comfort, then decide before Batch 2 inventory disappears. Mentra’s own timeline puts that next batch later in Q1.
If you’re in the market now, check out the best smart glasses available now.
