Meta's leaked Project Phoenix VR glasses controlled by eye and hand gestures
Leaked files reveal Meta's slim mixed-reality headset, Project Phoenix, weighing under 110 grams with no handheld controller
A new Meta device has leaked online before its official launch, sparking discussion in the tech world. Photos and the design of the company's new mixed-reality headset, codenamed "Project Phoenix," surfaced accidentally. Meta had released a software update for HorizonOS's prescription lens feature, and the update's files contained hidden animations and design details of the new headset.
Anyone who has used headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro knows they feel heavy on the head, are bulky, and can cause headaches after an hour of use. Phoenix looks completely different. In the leaked photos, the headset resembles everyday eyeglasses, very slim and thin. Instead of a thick foam strap across the face, it has small nose pads that rest on the nose, meant to be comfortable for all-day wear. It is said to weigh less than 110 grams.
The question is how the headset was made so light. Meta has found a clever solution: the battery and processor are not inside the headset itself but in a separate small box called the Compute Puck. This puck connects to the glasses by a wire and can be kept in a pocket or clipped to a belt, so only the glasses sit on the head while the weight goes into the pocket. The puck is expected to house Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, said to be very powerful.
The leak is especially notable for people who wear prescription glasses. Until now, wearing glasses with a VR headset has been difficult. But Phoenix will allow prescription-specific lenses to be fitted. A firmware video shows lens settings can be adjusted by scanning a QR code with a phone. There is no remote control. Small sensors and cameras are placed on both sides and underneath the glasses. The screen can be controlled purely through hand gestures or eye movement, with no need to hold anything.
Meta holds a major annual conference called Meta Connect, scheduled this year for September 24-25. The company may give a first glimpse of Phoenix at the conference, though the device is still some time away from going on sale, reportedly not reaching the market until 2027. Companies like Google and Xreal are also developing similarly lightweight glasses, and Meta's move is seen as significant in competing with them. If this 110-gram headset does arrive, it could transform the VR and AR world.
