What’s the story?
Meta has announced its new Meta VR Glasses, a 100-gram VR device powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite processor, with a separate compute puck and up to three hours battery life.
Why it matters
Meta VR Glasses are five times lighter than Meta Quest 3 by moving compute to a separate puck; this shift from front-mounted weight to glasses-form-factor could remove a primary comfort barrier for VR adoption.
The bigger picture
Meta VR Glasses represent Meta’s largest bet on consumer VR since Quest 3S in 2024, with expanded entertainment partnerships and AI control methods shaping the next hardware cycle.
September 23, 2026 – Meta has today announced Meta VR Glasses, a virtual reality (VR) device that the company says “define a new era for virtual reality” in a glasses-like form factor. The glasses go on sale in spring 2027 for USD $1,299.99.
According to the company, Meta VR Glasses deliver a cinema, courtside seat, workspace, and console in a pair of glasses that weigh about 100 grams. The device has no straps or heavy hardware on the face, and its open sides and passthrough camera keep users aware of what is happening nearby.
How are Meta VR Glasses built
Described as its “most advanced device yet” Meta stated that its VR Glasses are five times lighter than Meta Quest 3, primarily because of their two-part system. The glasses themselves, which are powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Reality Elite processor, handle the sensors and display. Their magnesium alloy construction also provides rigidity and strength whilst helping keep everything cool. The second part, a puck connected by an optical tether, handles compute, battery, and storage, and clips to a pocket or bag. The battery on the puck delivers up to three hours of continuous high-resolution media playback, and supports 45W fast charging, according to Meta.
The glasses feature a 5K Infinite Display built on micro organic light-emitting diode (micro-OLED) panels, with 37 pixels per degree. The device also uses purpose-built ultra-compact pancake lenses to deliver “stunning clarity and detail.” Dolby Vision is included, and support for Dolby Atmos immersive spatial audio is integrated directly into the frames.
How do Meta VR Glasses support gaming and work
Meta has integrated its artificial intelligence (AI) agent, Meta AI, into the operating system. Wearers can talk to the glasses, or use their eyes and natural hand gestures to play a movie, open an app, adjust their workspace, or search for whatever they are looking for, without the need for controllers.
At launch, Meta VR Glasses will bring more than 75 games that can be played solely with hand gestures, the company added. The glasses also offer full access to the entire Meta Quest catalog of thousands of titles, and full compatibility with Touch Plus controllers. With XBOX Cloud Gaming, users can stream hundreds of games directly to the glasses, requiring only a connected Bluetooth gamepad. Handheld gaming devices can also be connected wirelessly or via USB-C to play on a big screen.
Meta stated that the glasses provide a large screen, or several, anywhere the wearer is. Furthermore, any table or desk can be turned into a surface keyboard and touchpad. Wearers can also connect a Mac or Windows PC wirelessly or over USB-C, with full-color passthrough letting them see their keyboard, desk, mobile phone, and surroundings while they work.
Holograms and video calling on Meta VR Glasses
In its announcement blog post, the company wrote: “We’re introducing hologram technology to provide a photorealistic digital version of you, including your real-time expressions and reactions, for hands-free video calling on Meta VR Glasses.”
When a wearer sees someone’s hologram in the glasses, that person appears in front of them, with spatial audio placing their voice where they are. For participants joining a call from a mobile phone or computer, they will see the wearer’s hologram on their screen. Meta noted that the feature works with whichever calling app is in use, from WhatsApp to Zoom.
Immersive entertainment and streaming on Meta VR Glasses
Streaming services will be available through the TV app, with partners including Prime Video, YouTube, DIRECTV, AMC+, Crunchyroll, Plex, and Tubi. Meta stated that Peacock, HBO Max, and Paramount+ are also offering their 3D media catalogs for the first time.
Later this year, users in the United States will be able to rent or buy hundreds of 2D and 3D movies on Meta Quest. The company added that the library will continue to grow, with thousands of titles available internationally by the time Meta VR Glasses launch, including 3D films from Lionsgate. Meta is also partnering with director James Cameron and Lightstorm Vision to debut “first time in 3D” blockbusters in 2027.
Furthermore, Meta described the glasses as the “first IMAX Enhanced certified VR device ever”, adding that they will be one of the only ways to experience select films in IMAX’s exclusive expanded aspect ratio at home.
Meta is also joining forces with Disney on 3D experiences. Starting in November, Disney+ subscribers can stream movies such as Marvel’s The Avengers and Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in 3D in select countries, with themed immersive viewing environments including Tatooine, Avengers Tower, and Scare Floor.
As part of its partnership with Disney, Meta announced that when Meta VR Glasses launch in spring 2027, users will be able to watch VR Enhanced versions of Avengers: Infinity War and Star Wars: A New Hope in the new Disney Immersive Cinema by ILM app. According to the company, in these versions the viewer’s surroundings will be transformed with immersive environments, dynamic effects, 3D visuals, and spatial audio. Other titles include Billie Eilish’s concert film co-directed by James Cameron, an exclusive action film from Matthew Vaughn, NBA immersive content, and 180-degree 3D nature experiences via National Geographic.
Sports apps from the NBA, Major League Baseball (MLB), and ESPN are available on the platform. Meta stated that it has worked with ESPN on “Immersive Sports”, which offers a front-row seat, 8K streaming, and 180-degree views. It starts with college football this year on Meta Quest, with more sports to come in 2027. Once Meta VR Glasses launch, the company will have over 100 immersive live sports events to watch each year, thanks to partners MLB, NBC Sports, TNT Sports, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
For more information on Meta VR Glasses, click here.
Image credit: Meta
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix, where he has spent years immersed in the XR ecosystem, tracking its evolution from early prototypes to the technologies shaping the future of human experience. While primarily covering the latest AR and VR news, his interests extend to the wider world of human augmentation, from AI and robotics to haptics, wearables, and brain–computer interfaces.