Meta's New VR Headset Underway, Quest 4 Promises Major Upgrade Over Quest 3

Meta's Delayed Mixed Reality Glasses and New Developments

Meta has reportedly delayed the release of its mixed reality (MR) glasses, codenamed "Phoenix," to 2027. This comes despite the company having already invested billions in projects aimed at digitally enhancing our everyday experiences. While the delay might be disappointing for some, it has provided more insight into Meta’s upcoming Quest headset.

According to two internal memos seen by Business Insider, the decision to push back the Phoenix release was made to ensure the product is "fully polished." The memos suggest that Meta needs more time to refine the details before launching the device. Originally, the glasses were expected to hit the market in the latter half of 2026.

Reports indicate that Meta’s MR glasses are closer to goggles than traditional smart glasses. They may even come with a power puck, similar to the Apple Vision Pro. If this is true, the device would be tethered to an external power source, which could make the headset itself lighter and more comfortable to wear.

However, the current state of AI and concerns about privacy raise questions about the future of smart glasses. With the ability to capture or stream any moment, there's a risk of misuse. Additionally, data collected by these devices could be used to train AI systems unless users specifically opt out. These issues have made many hesitant about the widespread adoption of smart glasses.

In addition to the Phoenix delay, Meta is reportedly working on a device called "Malibu 2," which is expected to launch in 2026. Details about this device remain scarce, but Meta recently acquired an AI startup named Limitless, which released a wearable AI pendant. It’s possible that the Malibu 2 will follow a similar concept.

Another development involves a memo between Meta and its owned studio, Reality Labs, which states that work is underway on the next virtual reality (VR) headset. UploadVR suggests that this new device could be called the Quest 4. According to reports, the Quest 4 is expected to be a significant upgrade over previous models and could improve unit economics substantially.

Interestingly, the memo does not mention Orion, which is the codename for Meta’s augmented reality (AR) glasses. Phoenix, which is categorized as MR, has been highlighted instead. While AR and MR are often considered similar, Meta has consistently emphasized the differences between them.

According to Meta, "AR overlays don't interact with the real world, though you may be able to interact with them depending on the software in use. MR is another matter. It overlays the real world with digital elements and the physical and digital objects co-exist and react to each other in real time."

It remains unclear what has happened to the Orion project, but it reportedly also includes a compute puck, suggesting it could be part of the same initiative under a different name.

Despite the delays and uncertainties, one thing is clear: Meta is committed to smart glasses. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have already reached their second generation, and earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg stated that anyone without AI glasses would face a "pretty significant cognitive disadvantage." For now, consumers have until 2027 to prepare for this shift in technology.