Leaked Images Reveal Meta's 'Project Phoenix' Headset Design
New images suggest Meta is developing slim, glasses-style mixed reality hardware.
Quick Look
- Leaked firmware files reveal the design of Meta's upcoming 'Project Phoenix' headset.
- The device features a slim, glasses-style frame with outward-facing cameras and a wired connection for external compute or battery, positioning it between smart glasses and full VR headsets.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Meta is preparing for its Meta Connect event on September 23rd. The company is developing Project Phoenix to compete with existing mixed reality glasses from Xreal and Viture.
Just a couple of weeks before Meta Connect starts on September 23rd, UploadVR posted images seemingly revealing the design for Meta’s “Project Phoenix” headset. The images, which UploadVR says were “found in the HorizonOS Prescription Lens firmware package,” suggest Meta may be looking to compete with devices like those from Xreal or Viture. These companies’ mixed reality glasses are a bit bulkier than something like Meta’s Ray-Ban AI smart glasses, but a step down from a full VR headset like Meta’s Quest 3.
This leak shows something that’s almost in between larger headsets and smart glasses, with lenses set into a slim, glasses-style frame. A shot from behind shows a wire extending from one of the earpieces, possibly for a battery or compute puck. There also appear to be outward- and downward-facing cameras in the earpieces.
Project Phoenix has been in the works for a while now, and isn’t expected to launch until next year. Google is also working on a pair of Project Aura XR glasses in a similar vein, with an external compute puck that’s wired to the frames.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Project Phoenix launch in 2025.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the specific technical specifications of the compute puck?
- Will the device be marketed as a consumer or enterprise product?
