Meta is making a super-slim VR headset called Phoenix, leak gives first look at it

Meta's mysterious Phoenix headset is now on the internet via leaks. It reportedly appeared in the new Horizon OS firmware visuals, revealing its slim, glasses-like design. The leak also shows removable prescription lens inserts and hints at how the headset's setup process could work.

In Short

• Meta Phoenix headset visuals leak through Horizon OS firmware
• The headset appears to have a slim, glasses-like design
• New visuals show removable prescription lens inserts

VR headsets are generally bulky, but Meta’s purported next headset looks very different. Visuals of Meta’s secret Phoenix headset are taking rounds online, reportedly, they were found inside a Horizon OS firmware package. The visual includes its glasses-like design and removable prescription lens inserts.

The visuals were spotted by Luna and reported on Uploadvr inside the Horizon OSPrescription Lens package. The app was released in August and appeared to be linked to Meta’s upcoming headset. At the time, however, the package contained very little to look at. That has now changed after Meta updated it in September.

The new material gives a much clearer idea of what Phoenix could look like. The headset appears to have a slim frame with separate nose pads instead of the usual face interface found on traditional VR headsets. Sensors can also be seen around the sides and underside of the arms.

The visuals also show how prescription lens inserts could be attached to the headset. In one part of the animation, the inserts are placed in front of the headset's own lenses. Another visual shows a person holding a QR-code card in front of the device, suggesting that the code could be used during the setup process.

Meta Phoenix could be a very different VR headset

Phoenix has reportedly been in development for some time under different codenames, including Stanley and Loma. Reports suggest that Meta is working on a premium and lightweight mixed-reality headset that could sit in a similar high-end space to the company's Quest Pro, but with a much slimmer design.

The headset is also expected to use an external computing puck connected by a cable. The new visuals appear to show that cable coming out from the end of the left temple.

Despite the glasses-like appearance, Phoenix is not expected to work like a pair of transparent smart glasses. Reports suggest that it will use cameras to capture the outside world and show it on the headset's displays. In other words, users would still be looking at a digital view of their surroundings rather than directly through transparent lenses.

The latest leak does not reveal some of the details people will probably want to know, including its final name, price or release date. It also does not confirm all of the reported specifications.

Meta Connect 2026 is now getting closer, though, and the company's event schedule includes a session titled "A practical guide to controller-free interaction". Given Phoenix's reported focus on eye and hand tracking, the timing has certainly made the leak more interesting.

For now, this is still leaked setup material and not an official product announcement. Till the time Meta officially announces anything about the headset, we suggest that taking it with a pinch of salt.

- Ends