Metas leaked VR headset looks to be everything Ive wanted since it made the Meta Quest Pro

Date:
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:34:02 +0000

Description:
Metas Project Phoenix has leaked, and its what I dreamed it would be.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Meta Connect 2026 is fast approaching, and it seems a big surprise hardware announcement has just been leaked by none other than Meta itself. Its not much but our first official look at the so-called Project Phoenix has me very excited that we might finally get the Meta Quest Pro successor Ive been begging for.

The leak was spotted by prolific Meta leaker Luna, who found a never-before-seen headset in the latest Horizon OS prescription lens firmware . Because it only shows how lenses are inserted into the new design, we dont get a full look at the whole thing, but it seems XR glasses might be a better description than XR headset. Thats because the front of the headset looks incredibly slim. Not quite Meta Ray-Ban levels, but a fraction of what the Meta Quest 3 and 3S were thickness wise. There also appears to be no head strap. Instead, we see the display unit supported by glasses' stems sitting behind the ears of the wearer. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: First official visuals of Meta's Project Phoenix, found in the
HorizonOS Prescription Lens firmware package! pic.twitter.com/YmN0SCJNCD September 10, 2026 What this leak seemingly confirms is the rumors that Meta has been working on an ultra-lightweight headset design. One where the
battery and a chunk of the processing power are all moved to an external puck
something also teased by a cable we see extending from one of the Meta devices stems.

Of course we should take all leaks and speculation with a pinch of salt, however considering some details are now coming directly from Meta itself, I suspect this may be a case of where if theres smoke theres fire. You may like The first images of Meta's Project Phoenix mixed reality headset leak I finally tried Xreal Aura and theyre the comfiest XR headset Ive worn This
Meta Quest 3S Prime Day deal isnt really a deal buy it anyway

If so, I couldnt be more excited. Following the disappointing start to VR in 2026, this launch might turns things around (at least somewhat). (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) What I've been waiting for XR hardware
housing its battery in an external puck is nothing new; however, moving processing power in there too is far less common the only one Ive
experienced is Xreals Aura glasses, though it works incredibly well. Get
daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

By taking as much as possible out of the headset, you can significantly drop the weight of the machine, and, because youre tethered to something in your pocket, your movement wont be restricted as it can be when youre connected to a PC or console.

This makes something capable, comfortable, and somewhat mobile. That said, it seems Phoenix will still be more headset-like than glasses-like, so Im not sure I see myself exploring the outside world while wearing it.

For gaming and entertainment, there are other specs to consider (such as processing power, display quality, and content support), but where this
design wins out is for productivity. What to read next Meta Ray-Ban Scriber Optics hands-on: superb 2026 smart glasses The best VR headsets in 2026: VR gaming's top products from Apple, Meta, PlayStation, and more Metas super-sensing AI glasses edge one step closer to reality (Image credit:
Future / Hamish Hector) Ive tried spending entire working weeks immersed in
XR and my tests have proven its incredibly uncomfortable. Its fine for a few hours at a time, maybe for the one-off day, but not for eight hours a day
five days straight. Thats nightmarish.

But the lightest model Ive tried is the 545g Samsung Galaxy XR . If Metas headset can drop to 200g or less, then it could easily be something I wear
for a whole day. Plus it would be super easy to slip into my rucksack to be productive in XR on the go or kick back with a big-screen movie.

This is precisely why Ive been wanting an ultra-lightweight XR headset to enter the scene, but so far Ive been let down. Xreal Aura gets close, but as glasses, it doesnt boast the same field of view as a headset with a headset offering more virtual real estate for app windows.

All I need is for Metas headset to copy the Xreal Aura's ability to show
whats on my phone screen via a USB-C cable and it could be the perfect XR headset (provided the price isnt too high).

Well have to wait and see what Meta unveils at Connect, but September 23, 2026, cant come soon enough. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/metas-le aked-vr-headset-looks-to-be-everything-ive-wanted-since-it-made-the-meta-quest -pro


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