Meta’s Mixed Reality Plans Hit Pause
Meta is reportedly pushing back the launch of its next big mixed reality project, codenamed Phoenix, to 2027. This is a delay from the previously suggested window in the second half of 2026, despite Meta already spending billions of dollars on technology to blend digital content with the real world.
According to internal memos seen by Business Insider, Meta wants more time to get the details right. The company reportedly says it needs breathing room to release a fully polished device rather than rushing to market. For anyone watching the VR and MR space, this delay signals that Meta is still struggling to balance ambition, cost, and practical design.
Phoenix is described as mixed reality glasses, although they sound closer to lightweight goggles than regular eyeglasses. Reports suggest the device will use a separate power puck, similar to the Apple Vision Pro. That means you would likely have a small external pack providing power, connected to the headset with a cable. While that tether might be slightly less convenient, it can help keep the headset itself lighter and more comfortable for longer sessions.
This push into smart glasses and mixed reality is not just about visual immersion. It also raises real concerns about always on cameras, streaming, and recording in public spaces. AI powered devices can capture audio and video continuously, and the data is often used to train AI models unless users specifically opt out. For gamers and tech fans who care about privacy, that is becoming a bigger part of the conversation whenever new wearable devices are announced.
Wearables, Malibu 2, and the Smart Glasses Future
Even with Phoenix slipping to 2027, Meta is still aiming to get at least one wearable device out in 2026. That device is currently referred to as Malibu 2. Details are scarce, but it appears to be more of an AI wearable than a full VR or MR gaming headset.
The hint comes from Meta’s recent acquisition of AI startup Limitless. Limitless has created a wearable AI pendant that can record and analyze conversations, meetings, and other real world interactions to help users recall information later. Reports suggest that Malibu 2 may try something similar, blending continuous capture with AI assistance. That direction lines up with Meta’s broader vision of AI integrated smart glasses and accessories that you wear all day, not just for gaming sessions.
Meta’s commitment to this space is already visible with its Ray Ban Meta smart glasses, which are now in their second generation. These glasses let users capture photos and videos, stream to social platforms, and interact with Meta AI through voice. Mark Zuckerberg has even said that people without AI glasses will eventually be at a significant cognitive disadvantage, a statement that both pushes the tech forward and raises eyebrows about how dependent users might become on these systems.
There is also some mystery around Orion, the codename for Meta’s augmented reality glasses project. Unlike Phoenix which is framed as mixed reality Orion has been talked about as a pure AR device. AR overlays digital content on the real world but does not necessarily interact with it in complex ways. MR aims for something more advanced where virtual and physical objects can coexist and react to each other in real time.
Orion has been reported to include a compute puck as well, a small external module that handles processing. With Phoenix also described as using a similar puck, there is speculation that these projects might be merging or being rebranded internally, but there is no clear confirmation. What is clear is that Meta is not abandoning the idea of glasses that bring persistent digital interfaces into everyday life.
Quest 4: A Big Step for VR Gamers
For PC and VR gamers the most relevant news is that Meta’s Reality Labs is already working on the next generation Quest headset. UploadVR reports that internal memos describe this device as a large upgrade over previous Quests, and it is expected to be called the Quest 4.
While specific specs are not yet public, the memo language hints at two priorities. First, a significant technical leap which for gamers usually means better visual clarity, higher quality lenses, improved tracking, and more powerful processing for smoother, richer experiences. Second, Meta wants to significantly improve unit economics. That is corporate speak for making the headset cheaper to produce and potentially more affordable to sell while still making money.
A better price to performance balance would be a big deal for the VR market. The Quest line has already been a key driver in making VR gaming more mainstream because it does not require a high end gaming PC. A Quest 4 that offers a clear performance bump over the Quest 3 while staying in a reasonable price range could become the default entry point for new VR gamers.
For PC oriented players, there is also the ongoing benefit that Quest headsets can connect to a computer over cable or WiFi for PC VR titles. If Quest 4 brings better displays and optics, it could become an even stronger headset for playing high end PC VR games via Link or Air Link. That would put more pressure on competitors and potentially push the entire market toward better performance and image quality at lower prices.
In the bigger picture, Meta’s roadmap shows a split strategy. On one side they are betting heavily on smart glasses, AI assistants, and always on wearables that blur the boundary between tech and daily life. On the other side they are still iterating on dedicated VR headsets that focus more directly on gaming and immersive experiences.
With Phoenix now expected in 2027, Malibu 2 penciled in for 2026, and Quest 4 in active development, the next few years will be important for anyone interested in VR and MR gaming. If Meta can truly deliver a large upgrade with Quest 4 while keeping the cost gamer friendly, it could be the next big step for virtual reality in both standalone and PC linked setups.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/good-news-and-good-news-meta-is-reportedly-hard-at-work-on-the-quest-4-and-has-delayed-its-mixed-reality-glasses-to-2027/
