Meta VR Glasses
| Meta VR Glasses[1][2][3] | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual reality, Mixed reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR |
| Developer | Meta Platforms |
| Manufacturer | Meta Platforms |
| Announcement Date | 23 September 2026 |
| Release Date | Spring 2027 (announced) |
| Price | US$1,299.99 (announced price, United States) |
| Website | https://www.meta.com/vr-glasses/ |
| Versions | Two frame sizes, sold as separate SKUs |
| System | |
| Operating System | Meta Horizon OS |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon Reality Elite (in compute puck) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128 GB; microSD expansion up to 1 TB |
| Memory | 12 GB |
| SD Card Slot | microSD (in compute puck) |
| Display | |
| Display | Micro-OLED, HDR (marketed by Meta as "5K Infinite Display") |
| Resolution | 2412 x 2288 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 70 degrees horizontal x 66 degrees vertical (about 87-88 degrees diagonal, per press calculations) |
| Horizontal FoV | 70 degrees |
| Vertical FoV | 66 degrees |
| Average Pixel Density | 37 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Eye-tracked |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pancake lenses |
| IPD Range | 56-70 mm, each lens independently adjustable |
| Passthrough | Full color, 26 PPD |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF |
| Eye Tracking | Yes, four cameras (two per eye) |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Speakers integrated in the frames; Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Optical tether between glasses and compute puck |
| Ports | USB-C on compute puck with DisplayPort Alt Mode video input |
| Power | 45 W USB-C power supply included; fast charging |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 hours of continuous high-resolution media playback (manufacturer claim) |
| Device | |
| Weight | About 100 g (glasses); about 300 g (compute puck) |
| Material | Magnesium alloy frame |
| Input | Eye tracking, hand gestures and voice; optional Touch Plus controllers |
Meta VR Glasses is a virtual reality and mixed reality head-mounted display in a glasses form factor, developed by Meta Platforms. The glasses weigh about 100 grams and hold the displays and sensors, while a separate compute puck connected by an optical tether contains the processor, battery and storage.[1] The device runs Meta Horizon OS, the same operating system as the Meta Quest headsets.[4]
Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Meta VR Glasses during the Meta Connect 2026 keynote on 23 September 2026. Meta has announced a price of US$1,299.99 and says the device will go on sale in spring 2027; as of September 2026 it had been announced but not released.[1][5]
Road to VR reported that the device was previously known under the codename Project Phoenix.[2] It has Micro-OLED displays with a resolution of 2412 x 2288 pixels per eye, eye tracking and hand tracking, and is controlled mainly with the eyes, hand gestures and voice rather than with controllers.[2][3]
History
Reported development
Several outlets reported on the project under internal codenames before Meta announced it. In an August 2026 overview, UploadVR wrote that The Information had reported in 2024 on a device codenamed Puffin: an opaque headset with pancake lenses and passthrough cameras, weighing less than 110 grams, with the battery and computing hardware moved to a tethered puck. According to the same overview, The Wall Street Journal reported in June 2025 that Meta planned a premium headset codenamed Loma for 2026, and The Information reported in July 2025 that the ultralight headset's primary codename was Phoenix. UploadVR itself reported in June 2025, citing multiple sources, that Meta was prioritizing an ultralight open-periphery headset with a tethered compute puck for 2026.[6] These codenames come from press reporting. Meta's official product name is Meta VR Glasses.[1]
Announcement
Zuckerberg presented the device at Meta Connect on 23 September 2026, where Meta also showed the Muse Charm, a small device for its Muse AI agent.[5] On stage he said: "We have built a new kind of VR device that delivers the same magical feeling of presence and immersion, high-resolution displays and views of the world around you in a form factor that is a pair of glasses for the first time."[5] CNBC noted that it was Meta's first new VR device since the Meta Quest 3S in 2024.[5]
Meta's announcement describes the product as "a personal cinema, courtside seat, workspace, and gaming console".[1] Road to VR's Scott Hayden described it as an effort by Meta to bridge the gap between its display glasses, experimental augmented reality projects such as Orion, and its much bulkier Quest gaming platform.[7]
Design and hardware
Glasses and compute puck
Meta says the glasses weigh about 100 grams and are five times lighter than Meta Quest 3. The weight saving comes from splitting the device in two: the glasses handle the sensors and displays, and the puck handles compute, battery and storage. The puck clips to a pocket or bag.[1] Meta says the magnesium alloy construction provides rigidity and helps keep the device cool.[8]
UploadVR reported that the glasses contain no onboard computing, not even a tracking coprocessor. They have an open-periphery design, so the wearer can see the real world to the sides and below, and use passive cooling without a fan. The puck weighs 300 grams and supplies both power and data over a thin hybrid fiber optic cable.[3] Road to VR reported that the cable connects to a proprietary port.[2] In his hands-on, Hayden described a mesh grille on top of the puck for active cooling.[7] Optional light blockers can be attached for fully immersive use.[3]
Road to VR reported that the glasses are offered in two sizes, sold as separate SKUs, and that both sizes ship with multiple nose pads.[2][7]
Display and optics
Meta markets the display as the "5K Infinite Display". It uses micro-OLED panels with 37 pixels per degree and custom ultra-compact pancake lenses, and supports Dolby Vision.[1] Each eye has a resolution of 2412 x 2288 pixels, the panels are HDR-capable, and the refresh rate reaches 120 Hz.[2][3] "5K" is part of Meta's product branding; it is not a per-eye resolution figure.
According to UploadVR, Meta VR Glasses has the highest resolution of any Meta headset to date. It is also Meta's first headset without an LCD since the original Oculus Quest of 2019.[3] The field of view is smaller than on Quest headsets. Meta advertises 70 degrees horizontal and 66 degrees vertical, compared with about 110 by 96 degrees for Quest 3. UploadVR calculated a diagonal of about 87 degrees; Road to VR listed 88 degrees.[3][2]
The interpupillary distance adjustment ranges from 56 to 70 mm, and each lens adjusts independently.[2] Road to VR described this as the first Meta headset with asymmetric IPD adjustment.[7] Prescription lens inserts are available from Meta's partner Zenni Optical.[2]
Meta says Meta VR Glasses is the first VR device with IMAX Enhanced certification. It will be one of the few ways to watch select films at home in IMAX's expanded aspect ratio.[1]
| Specification | Meta VR Glasses | Meta Quest 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Micro-OLED | LCD |
| Pixels per eye | 2412 x 2288 | 2064 x 2208 |
| Field of view | 70 x 66 degrees | 110 x 96 degrees |
| Central angular resolution | 37 PPD | 25 PPD |
| Chipset | Snapdragon Reality Elite | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Color passthrough | 26 PPD | 18 PPD |
| Eye tracking | Yes (four cameras) | No |
| Tracked controllers | Optional | Included |
The table follows the comparison published by UploadVR at the announcement.[3]
Processor, memory and storage
The puck contains Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite processor.[1] Qualcomm announced the chipset at Augmented World Expo in June 2026. Road to VR described its name as the naming scheme for what would otherwise be the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3.[9] The device has 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. A microSD slot in the puck accepts cards of up to 1 TB; a card is not included.[2][3]
UploadVR reported that Quest content is rendered at higher resolution than on Quest 3 because of the faster chipset and eye-tracked foveated rendering.[3]
Sensors, tracking and input
Four eye-tracking cameras, two per eye, are integrated with the lenses. Road to VR's specification list includes front and downward-facing cameras for hand tracking, full-color passthrough cameras with 26 PPD, autofocus, depth sensing and iris-based biometric authentication. Tracking is six degrees of freedom.[2]
The main input method combines gaze and hand gestures. The wearer looks at an interface element and taps the thumb and index finger together to select it, and uses thumb swipes to scroll.[2][10] Meta says: "You can just talk to Meta VR Glasses or use your eyes and natural hand gestures to do things like play a movie, open an app, adjust your workspace, or search for whatever you're looking for. No controllers needed."[1]
Controllers are not included in the standard box. The device supports Touch Plus controllers, which can be bought separately or paired from an existing Quest 3 or Quest 3S, and UploadVR reported that a bundle with controllers will be sold in some retail channels. The controllers will also be offered in a new all-black color.[3][8] Bluetooth keyboards, gamepads and other peripherals can also be paired.[2]
Audio, battery and connectivity
Dolby Atmos spatial audio is built into the frames.[1] Hayden described the audio as similar to, or slightly better than, that of Meta Ray-Ban Display, with less bass and the usual audio bleed.[7]
Meta says the puck battery delivers up to three hours of continuous high-resolution media playback and supports 45 W fast charging.[1] A 45 W USB-C power supply is included, and the puck can be charged while in use.[2]
The puck's USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. According to UploadVR, a phone, laptop or gaming handheld plugged into it can be shown as a virtual screen without a capture card, which it described as a first for a Meta standalone device.[3] Road to VR listed the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions as not yet announced.[2]
Software and features
Operating system and apps
Meta VR Glasses runs Meta Horizon OS and uses the same SDKs as Meta Quest. According to Meta, a single app can target both Quest headsets and the glasses.[4] Meta says the device will have "full access to the entire Meta Quest catalog of thousands of titles".[8] In its games announcement, it wrote that every Quest game will be playable on Meta VR Glasses with Touch Plus controllers.[11]
Meta says its AI agent is integrated into the operating system, so the wearer can give voice commands for tasks such as rearranging the workspace or starting a film.[1][12] Engadget's live coverage of the keynote reported that the glasses have Muse, Meta's personal AI agent, integrated directly into the operating system.[13] Meta's newsroom announcement of the device refers to "your Meta AI agent"; in its Connect summary, Meta described Muse as a personal AI agent launched earlier in September 2026 that it is bringing to its AI glasses.[1][14]
Media and entertainment
Meta named Prime Video, YouTube, DIRECTV, AMC+, Crunchyroll, Plex, ESPN and Tubi as media partners. It said Peacock, HBO Max and Paramount+ would offer their 3D catalogs for the first time. Other announcements included 3D films on Disney+ from November 2026 in select countries, a Disney Immersive Cinema by ILM app with "VR Enhanced" versions of films such as Avengers: Infinity War, and "first time in 3D" films with James Cameron and Lightstorm Vision in 2027.[1] Hayden watched a clip in one of these rendered film environments during his demo.[7]
Meta said that once the glasses launch, more than 100 immersive live sports events a year will be available through partners MLB, NBC Sports, TNT Sports and UFC. Separately, ESPN's "Immersive Sports" with 8K streaming and 180-degree views begins with college football on Meta Quest in 2026.[1]
Productivity
The glasses can show one or several large virtual screens. Meta says any flat surface, such as a table or desk, can be turned into a keyboard and touchpad.[1][12] Road to VR identified this as Surface Keyboard, a feature released on Quest earlier in 2026.[2] Engadget's Karissa Bell tried it during her demo. The virtual keyboard appeared when she laid her hands on the table, and she found it usable but somewhat cramped and without haptic feedback. She also used the glasses as a remote desktop for a laptop with a three-window layout.[10] Road to VR reported support for wireless multi-screen desktop streaming from a Mac, PC or phone.[2]
Hologram calling
Meta announced Hologram, a photorealistic digital version of the user with real-time expressions, for hands-free video calls. It works with calling apps such as WhatsApp and Zoom; people who join from a phone or computer see the hologram on their screen.[1] UploadVR described Hologram as Meta's realistic avatar technology, similar to the Personas of Apple Vision Pro. It lets the wearer join flatscreen WhatsApp video calls as a face-tracked avatar and appear at full scale in calls with other Meta VR Glasses owners. According to UploadVR, at launch the spatial hologram will be a stereoscopic video stream seen only from a front angle rather than a volumetric model, and Meta plans to evolve it into a full 6DoF 3D system after launch.[3] UploadVR's August 2026 overview had reported that a canceled Quest Pro successor was set to feature Codec Avatars, and that Meta's plans had since centered on video calls and telepresence through Hologram.[6]
Games
Meta says more than 75 games will be available at launch that can be played with hand gestures alone. Xbox Cloud Gaming allows streaming of hundreds more.[1] Meta and UploadVR listed the following titles and updates announced alongside the device:[11][15]
| Title | Description | Announced timing |
|---|---|---|
| Beat Saber: Flux | Hand-tracking mode for Beat Saber with 35 songs and optional controller support | Spring 2027 |
| Dragon Grove | Hand-tracked puzzle game with dragons, also on Quest 3 and 3S | Spring 2027 |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies VR | VR adaptation of Capcom's Ace Attorney series | 2027 |
| Tetris Effect: Mixed Realities | Hand-controlled, room-aware mixed reality version of Tetris Effect | 2027 |
| Supernatural | Fitness app relaunching under independent ownership | Day-one title |
| Two Point Hospital VR | VR version of the hospital simulation game | Not stated |
| Dice Throne Digital | Free-to-play digital tabletop card game | Early 2027 |
| Cardmada | Pirate-themed card battle game | Coming soon |
| Story of Seasons: Your Wonderful Life | Farm management game | Coming soon |
To add more games that work without controllers, Meta opened a VR Start developer competition with a US$1 million prize pool. Meta requires entries to be "fully usable with hands, end-to-end", with controller support optional. The competition runs until 18 November 2026.[16]
Availability
Meta says Meta VR Glasses will go on sale in spring 2027 for US$1,299.99.[1] As of September 2026, Meta had not given an exact release date or pre-order details.[2][12] Road to VR reported that Meta is targeting 25 countries at launch: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Iceland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.[2] Only one storage configuration, 128 GB, has been announced.[2]
Reception
Before release, the device has been assessed only in short demonstrations at Meta Connect.
Road to VR's Scott Hayden called the pancake optics very clear and the color passthrough the best he had seen on a standalone VR headset, with no noticeable stitch lines. He also noted that the field of view is much narrower than Quest 3's and that the lens sweet spot is smaller, which makes fit more important. In his half-hour demo, the Large size was very comfortable, while the Standard size clamped too hard on the sides and slipped down his nose. The downward-facing sensors meant he could make gestures with his hands resting in his lap.[7]
Engadget's Karissa Bell called it the sharpest mixed reality display she could remember seeing and found the gaze-and-gesture controls intuitive. She observed that the device is less immersive than a conventional headset because of the narrower field of view. The puck, weighing about 300 grams, gave off noticeable warmth during her demo.[10]
In his announcement coverage, UploadVR's David Heaney wrote that the narrow field of view makes the glasses feel much less immersive than a Quest headset when the light blockers are attached. He expected the device to suit passthrough mixed reality better, where a natural view of the periphery is often preferable.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 "Introducing Meta VR Glasses: A Cinema, Courtside Seat, and Workspace in Just 100 Grams". About Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/introducing-meta-vr-glasses-3d-movies-immersive-live-sports-100-grams/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 Scott Hayden (2026-09-23). "Meta Announces 'VR Glasses' Next-Gen XR Headset, Priced at $1,300". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/meta-vr-glasses-unveiled-price-release-date/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 David Heaney (2026-09-23). "Meta VR Glasses Officially Announced, Shipping Spring 2027 For $1300". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-vr-glasses-officially-announced-connect-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Start building for Meta VR Glasses". Meta Horizon OS Developers. Meta Platforms. https://developers.meta.com/horizon/discover/meta-vr-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Jonathan Vanian (2026-09-23). "Mark Zuckerberg debuts $1,299 Meta VR Glasses and Muse Charm pendant as part of AI agent push". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/23/mark-zuckerberg-1299-meta-vr-glasses-ai-agent.html. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Luna and David Heaney (2026-08-24). "Everything We Know (So Far) About Meta's Next Headset". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/phoenix-everything-we-know-so-far-meta-next-headset/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Scott Hayden (2026-09-23). "Meta VR Glasses Hands-on: What Apple Vision Pro Probably Should Have Been". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/meta-vr-glass-hands-onconnect-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Introducing Meta VR Glasses, A New Era for Virtual Reality". Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/meta-vr-glasses-announcement-meta-connect/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Scott Hayden (2026-06-17). "Qualcomm's New Snapdragon Chip Paves the Way for More Compact XR Headsets and Glasses". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-reality-elite-compact-headsets-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Karissa Bell (2026-09-23). "Meta VR Glasses hands-on: Hand and eye tracking is so much better than a controller". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2267222/meta-vr-glasses-hands-on-hand-tracking/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Elevate Your Gaming With These New Titles and Updates For Meta VR Glasses and Quest, Announced at Meta Connect". Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/connect-2026-game-announcements-meta-vr-glasses-quest/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Everything We Announced at Meta Connect 2026". Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/meta-connect-2026-everything-we-announced/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Cherlynn Low and Karissa Bell (2026-09-23). "Meta Connect 2026 live: Updates from Mark Zuckerberg's keynote on AI glasses, VR and more". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2266105/meta-connect-2026-live-blog-ai-vr/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "The Biggest News From Connect 2026". About Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-24. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/the-biggest-news-from-connect-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "Every New Game & Update Announced For Meta VR Glasses". UploadVR. 2026-09-23. https://www.uploadvr.com/new-games-announced-for-meta-vr-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Scott Hayden (2026-09-24). "Meta Launches $1M Developer Competition to Stock 'VR Glasses' with More Hand-tracked Apps". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/meta-vr-glasses-dev-competition-1m-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.