← All stories
● Covered by 5 sources · 13 reportsMedium impact11 neutral1 positive

Images of Meta's 'Project Phoenix' Mixed Reality Headset Leaked from HorizonOS Firmware

🔄 Updated 8d ago — new reporting from The Verge
New to BrevFeed? We gather this story from every outlet covering it into one summary — ranked by real-world impact, not just the latest headline — so you never miss what matters. What is BrevFeed? →

Key points

  • Images of "Project Phoenix" found in HorizonOS app.
  • Headset features a slim, glasses-like design.
  • Appears smaller than Meta's Quest 3, larger than Ray-Ban AI glasses.
  • Shows a wire, suggesting a tethered battery or compute unit.
  • Outward and downward-facing cameras are visible.
  • Meta VR Glasses are priced at $1,300.
  • Meta VR Glasses will be released in Spring 2027.
  • Meta VR Glasses weigh 100g.
  • Meta VR Glasses are five times lighter than Meta Quest 3.
  • Meta VR Glasses are made of magnesium alloy.
  • Meta VR Glasses are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite processor.
  • Meta VR Glasses feature micro-OLED panels.
  • Meta VR Glasses offer a 5K Infinite Display with 37 pixels per degree.
  • Meta VR Glasses support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio.
  • Meta VR Glasses have IMAX Enhanced certification.
  • Meta VR Glasses will offer 3D content from Disney+ starting November.
  • Meta VR Glasses have 128GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.
  • Meta VR Glasses have 2412 x 2288 resolution.
  • Meta VR Glasses support hand and eye tracking.
  • Meta launched new holographic avatars for VR glasses.
  • Holographic avatars are powered by the Muse Realtime Avatar model.
  • Meta announced new Ray-Ban smart glasses, including an audio-only version without a camera.
  • Meta Connect 2026 unveiled the new hardware.
  • Meta VR Glasses are a second attempt at a high-end VR experience after Quest Pro.
  • Meta VR Glasses offload processing and battery components to an external puck.
  • Meta VR Glasses form factor is similar to XREAL’s upcoming Aura glasses.
  • ESPN will bring 8K streaming to Meta VR Glasses, starting with college football.
  • NBC Sports and MLB will also offer content on Meta VR Glasses.
  • Meta VR Glasses do not require controllers, using hand gestures instead.
  • Meta Connect event unveiled the new hardware.
  • Meta introduced Muse Charm, a dedicated hardware device for its Muse AI agent.
  • Muse Charm features a 2-inch OLED display, camera, microphones, and 5G connectivity.

Leaked Images Reveal New Meta Headset Design

Images of Meta's unreleased mixed reality headset, codenamed "Project Phoenix," have been discovered within a HorizonOS app. The images were initially published by UploadVR, which found them in a Meta HorizonOS app called "HorizonOS Prescription Lens." This app, intended for users needing prescription inserts, was reportedly removed after the discovery.

Form Factor and Features

The leaked images depict a device with a slim, glasses-style frame, distinct from Meta's larger Quest VR headsets. It appears to be an intermediate form factor, larger than smart glasses like Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses but significantly smaller than a full VR headset like the Quest 3. The design suggests a potential competitor to devices from companies such as Xreal or Viture.

One image shows a wire extending from an earpiece, indicating a possible tethered connection to an external battery or compute unit. The headset also appears to incorporate outward- and downward-facing cameras in the earpieces.

Context and Implications

The discovery of these images aligns with previous rumors regarding "Project Phoenix," which has been in development for some time. This leak suggests Meta's continued investment in mixed reality hardware and its exploration of new form factors within the XR space. An official reveal could potentially occur at Meta's upcoming Connect event.

Updates

🕒 2026-09-24 · new reporting from 9to5Google
  • Meta Connect event unveiled the new hardware.
  • Meta introduced Muse Charm, a dedicated hardware device for its Muse AI agent.
  • Muse Charm features a 2-inch OLED display, camera, microphones, and 5G connectivity.
🕒 2026-09-24 · new reporting from 9to5Google
  • Meta Connect 2026 unveiled the new hardware.
  • Meta VR Glasses are a second attempt at a high-end VR experience after Quest Pro.
  • Meta VR Glasses offload processing and battery components to an external puck.
  • Meta VR Glasses form factor is similar to XREAL’s upcoming Aura glasses.
  • ESPN will bring 8K streaming to Meta VR Glasses, starting with college football.
  • NBC Sports and MLB will also offer content on Meta VR Glasses.
  • Meta VR Glasses do not require controllers, using hand gestures instead.
🕒 2026-09-24 · new reporting from The Verge, Engadget, TechCrunch, Guardian Technology
  • Meta VR Glasses are priced at $1,300.
  • Meta VR Glasses will be released in Spring 2027.
  • Meta VR Glasses weigh 100g.
  • Meta VR Glasses are five times lighter than Meta Quest 3.
  • Meta VR Glasses are made of magnesium alloy.
  • Meta VR Glasses are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite processor.
  • Meta VR Glasses feature micro-OLED panels.
  • Meta VR Glasses offer a 5K Infinite Display with 37 pixels per degree.
  • Meta VR Glasses support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio.
  • Meta VR Glasses have IMAX Enhanced certification.
  • Meta VR Glasses will offer 3D content from Disney+ starting November.
  • Meta VR Glasses have 128GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.
  • Meta VR Glasses have 2412 x 2288 resolution.
  • Meta VR Glasses support hand and eye tracking.
  • Meta launched new holographic avatars for VR glasses.
  • Holographic avatars are powered by the Muse Realtime Avatar model.
  • Meta announced new Ray-Ban smart glasses, including an audio-only version without a camera.

✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →

The daily brief

One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.

One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.

Today's brief

Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.

~34 min · 27 stories · Oct 02

▶ Play today's brief Listen on Spotify

New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.

How outlets covered it

Meta's new VR Glasses combine aspects of VR headsets and AR glasses, offering a lighter design and peripheral vision. This hybrid approach could make VR more appealing to a wider audience by addressing common comfort and isolation concerns.

Meta announced several new AI-powered wearables, including third-generation Ray-Ban Meta camera glasses, audio-only glasses, and Meta VR Glasses slated for 2027. The company also introduced the Muse Charm, a dedicated hardware device for its Muse AI agent, featuring a 2-inch OLED display, camera, microphones, and 5G connectivity.

Meta announced new 'VR Glasses' set to launch in Spring 2027 for $1,299, which feature a compact design with 5K displays and offload processing to an external puck. This device represents Meta's second attempt at a high-end VR experience, aiming for a more refined form factor compared to previous headsets.

Meta unveiled new hardware at Meta Connect 2026, including virtual reality glasses, an audio-only set, and third-generation Ray-Ban Meta AI specs. These announcements expand Meta's presence in the wearable and VR markets, introducing new devices and features for consumers and developers.

Meta announced new wearables at its annual Connect event, including Meta VR Glasses that offer full virtual reality in a lightweight smart glasses form factor and new camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses. The VR Glasses are five times lighter than Meta Quest 3 and tethered to a compute puck, while the camera-free smart glasses address privacy concerns by omitting recording capabilities.

Meta announced new Ray-Ban smart glasses, including an audio-only version without a camera, and updated VR glasses at its Connect conference. The camera-free model addresses privacy concerns, while the new VR glasses offer a lighter form factor, indicating Meta's continued investment in wearable technology.

Meta introduced new VR Glasses priced at $1,299, a mixed reality device that prioritizes portability over immersion. This new form factor, weighing under 100 grams, relies on a tethered processing puck and features hand and eye tracking.

Meta has launched new holographic avatars for its VR glasses and Meta Ray-Ban Display frames, which offer a significant improvement in realism over previous versions. These avatars are powered by the Muse Realtime Avatar model and can be created in about five minutes, capturing facial expressions and voice characteristics for use in video calls.

Meta unveiled new VR Glasses at Connect, featuring a lighter design, micro-OLED panels, and IMAX Enhanced certification. The glasses are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite processor and offer entertainment integrations, including 3D content from Disney+ starting in November.

Meta announced new VR Glasses at its Connect event, priced at $1,300 and set for release in Spring 2027. These glasses feature a lightweight design, an external computing and power unit, and onboard cameras for gesture control, positioning them as a more portable and affordable alternative to existing high-end VR devices.

Meta has unveiled new VR Glasses that resemble traditional eyewear, featuring immersive displays and a separate computing puck. This design aims to offer a lighter, more approachable VR experience compared to existing headsets like the Quest 3 or Vision Pro.

Images of Meta's upcoming mixed reality headset, codenamed "Project Phoenix," have been discovered in a Meta HorizonOS app, revealing a new glasses-like form factor and a tethered connection. This leak suggests a potential official reveal at Meta's Connect event, indicating Meta's continued investment in mixed reality hardware development.

Images of Meta's 'Project Phoenix' headset, a device appearing to be a slim mixed reality glasses, were found in HorizonOS firmware. This leak suggests Meta is developing a device that bridges the gap between smart glasses and full VR headsets, potentially competing with products from Xreal or Viture.