Kylie Jenner’s Meta glasses and 5 unproblematic alternatives
3.8.2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Kylie Jenner designed a pair of AI sunglasses for Meta and even lent her voice to them. Here’s why I think it’s wrong – and here are some sunglasses you could buy instead.
What should sunglasses be able to do? If you ask me, I’d say protect your eyes from UV radiation. Period. What’s one thing sunglasses definitely shouldn’t be able to do? If you ask me, I’d say take photos and videos without anyone noticing. Period.
I know that ever since our mobile phones became «smart» and were equipped with cameras, no one’s privacy has been safe anymore – a colleague recently told me that at his kid’s school, no one dares to take a shower after gym class anymore. Why? Out of fear of being filmed. But do we really have to keep making our lives harder and harder? Now that we have to be wary of suspiciously placed mobile phones, do we also have to constantly suspect every pair of sunglasses and prescription glasses is a potential enemy?
Glasses equipped with cameras are by no means a new thing – I know that, too. Still, that doesn’t make their existence and continued development any better in my eyes. We should be sceptical, especially when what is probably the most powerful influencer of our time is promoting it with her face.
The Kylie Jenner paradox
Kylie Jenner is a 28-year-old billionaire. She’s a member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, has been in front of reality TV cameras since she was nine, founded a beauty empire at 18, and now also sells clothes, accessories and electrolyte powders. Kylie Jenner’s also photographed by paparazzi at every turn, which is why she flies by private jet and doesn’t go shopping on her own. When she became pregnant for the first time in 2017, she stopped leaving her property and shared on Instagram: «Towards the end of my pregnancy helicopters would fly over my house every day so I was scared to even go outside.»
Kylie Jenner has now designed the Starfire Kylie Edition for Meta’s AI glasses. These are oval-shaped sunglasses or prescription glasses with a 12-MP ultra-wide-angle camera and 3K Ultra HD video resolution.
Starfire functions
Of course, the 28-year-old isn’t the root of the problem (Meta, I’m looking at you), but unfortunately she is a symptom with a seemingly endless reach: 59.9 million followers on TikTok, 381 million followers on Instagram. Apart from that and the standard functions of the Meta AI Glasses (Meta AI, live translation, immersive audio, music match), what other reasons are there to buy the Jenner model, which costs 349 francs? Let’s have a look:
- «From fit checks to fast facts, experience the first and only AI glasses with Meta AI voiced by Kylie herself.»
Okay, Kylie in my ear? That’s kind of cool – the following alternatives don’t offer that.
- «The adjustable nose pads and the custom gem detail turn the Meta Starfire into a signature style.»
Source: Meta
There are plenty of «custom» rhinestones out there, and you can use them to spruce up any pair of glasses you like right now, if you want.
- «A unique, slim oval shape reflects her signature style (...).»
Source: Meta
Source: Meta
Slim, oval sunglasses? Yep, they really are one of a kind this year. The range is so limited ...
Please don’t be a creep; please don’t buy Meta glasses. Thank you.
Header image: Meta
Laura Scholz
Senior Editor
Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.chAlways in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.
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This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.
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