Leaked images may reveal Meta's slim 'Project Phoenix' headset design
Images have surfaced online just weeks before Meta Connect that appear to show the design of Meta's in-development 'Project Phoenix' headset, a device that looks like something between full VR gear and smart glasses.
Just weeks ahead of Meta's annual Connect conference, set to begin September 23rd, tech outlet UploadVR has published images it says reveal the design of Meta's in-development 'Project Phoenix' headset. According to UploadVR, the images were found inside the HorizonOS Prescription Lens firmware package.
The leaked images suggest Meta may be aiming to compete with companies like Xreal and Viture, which make mixed reality glasses that are somewhat bulkier than Meta's Ray-Ban AI smart glasses but lighter than a full VR headset such as Meta's Quest 3.
A design between glasses and a headset
Based on the leak, the new device appears to sit somewhere between larger headsets and smart glasses, featuring lenses set into a slim, glasses-style frame. A photo taken from behind shows a wire running from one of the earpieces, possibly connecting to a battery or a separate compute puck. The earpieces also appear to house both outward- and downward-facing cameras.
Project Phoenix has reportedly been in development for some time, with a market launch not expected until next year. Google is pursuing a similar concept with its Project Aura XR glasses, which likewise rely on an external compute puck wired to the frame.
