Meta Reportedly Considering Smaller Mixed Reality “Glasses” for Release in 2027

The landscape of competition has shifted significantly with the debut of Apple Vision Pro earlier this year, leading to speculation about the direction of Meta’s XR initiatives. According to a recent report from The Information, the company is exploring the development of a mixed reality device codenamed ‘Puffin,’ resembling a pair of bulky glasses.

Insiders at Meta have suggested that Puffin is envisioned as a slim and lightweight alternative to the current Quest line of headsets, which has struggled to gain widespread consumer appeal. The device is expected to utilize pancake lenses in conjunction with VR displays, rather than functioning as an augmented reality headset.

The potential release date for Puffin is estimated to be around 2027, with the device likely featuring micro displays similar to those found in Bigscreen Beyond, a PC VR headset developed by the creators of Bigscreen Beta.

Similar to Apple’s Vision Pro, Puffin is expected to forgo the use of Touch controllers in favor of hand and eye-tracking for user input. The device is also rumored to include an “External Processing Puck and Battery” to reduce strain on the user’s head.

Contrary to previous reports, Meta has reportedly cancelled the development of Quest Pro 2, also known as ‘La Jolla,’ which was intended to rival Apple’s Vision Pro. The company is now anticipated to focus on unveiling Quest 3S at the upcoming Meta Connect event in late September, potentially replacing the current Quest 2 as the affordable headset option.

Furthermore, Meta is expected to announce the launch of third-party Quest-like headsets running on HorizonOS, in partnership with companies such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox.