Meta has officially confirmed it is working on multiple next-generation VR headsets, with its CTO teasing that announcements are coming at Meta Connect later this year.
During a recent Instagram AMA, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth was asked directly whether the company had given up on VR. His response was unambiguous: the company has updated its headset interface profoundly for the first time in years, is openly building multiple next-generation headsets, and has reached a more sustainable position in the market. Most significantly, he ended with a clear signal to the industry: stay tuned for Connect.
What is Meta building?
Meta is widely reported to be working on two separate next-generation devices. The first is a gaming-focused headset — essentially a Quest 4 — aimed at the mainstream VR audience. The second is a more ambitious spatial computing device, variously codenamed Phoenix, Puffin, or Loma, intended to compete in the premium mixed reality space currently occupied by Apple Vision Pro.
It is the spatial computing headset that most industry observers expect to be revealed at Connect. If the current timeline holds, a formal announcement and potentially pre-orders could come at the event, with a full launch expected in early 2027.
Why this matters
Meta’s reduced investment in VR over the past couple of years contributed significantly to what many in the industry have described as a VR winter — a period of slower growth, cancelled titles and developer uncertainty. The confirmation that Meta is actively building and preparing to announce next-generation hardware is a meaningful signal that the company remains committed to the space.
That said, the spatial computing headset is expected to be priced above $1,000, positioning it firmly in the prosumer and enterprise market rather than the mass consumer segment. It is unlikely to replicate the commercial success of the Quest 2, which sold tens of millions of units at a far lower price point. The road to a broader VR revival remains a long one, but a new flagship Meta device would reinvigorate the developer ecosystem and give the industry something to build towards.
When is Meta Connect?
Meta Connect typically takes place in September or October. No official date has been announced for the 2026 event yet, but based on previous years an autumn announcement window is expected. Watch this space.