Meta may have leaked the first look at its slim ‘Project Phoenix’ headset

The design of Meta's next VR/AR headset is now visible, revealing a form factor lighter than current VR but more capable than smart glasses.

Meta's upcoming mixed-reality headset, codenamed 'Project Phoenix,' may have been revealed through leaked images posted by UploadVR. The images, allegedly sourced from HorizonOS firmware, depict a device in a slim, glasses-style frame, featuring outward- and downward-facing cameras on the earpieces and a wire extending from one side, potentially for a battery or compute unit. This design positions the headset as an intermediary between bulkier VR headsets like Meta's Quest 3 and lighter smart glasses, aiming to compete with offerings from Xreal and Viture. Project Phoenix is reportedly slated for a 2025 release, joining a competitive landscape that also includes Google's Project Aura XR glasses.

The leak indicates Meta is actively pursuing a new product category that bridges the gap between full VR immersion and the augmented reality capabilities of smart glasses. This strategic move suggests a market demand for more comfortable, everyday-wearable XR devices that offer advanced features without the bulk of existing VR headsets. Competitors like Xreal and Viture are already carving out this niche, and Meta's entry signals an intensified battle for consumer adoption in the mid-tier XR space.

This development highlights the evolving XR hardware landscape, where companies are experimenting with form factors and functionalities to appeal to a broader audience. The inclusion of outward- and downward-facing cameras suggests a focus on advanced spatial computing and seamless interaction with the digital and physical worlds. The potential reliance on a separate battery or compute unit also points to ongoing design challenges in balancing power, portability, and cost for next-generation XR devices.