Meta's New Project Phoenix Glasses Design Leaks Online

Ahead of the annual Meta Connect event scheduled for 23 September, intriguing details about a new device from the company have surfaced online. As reported by The Verge, publication UploadVR shared images showcasing Meta's new project, codenamed Project Phoenix. These visual assets were discovered inside the HorizonOS Prescription Lens software package.

A middle ground between smart glasses and VR headsets

Based on the leaked visuals, Project Phoenix is a relatively slim mixed reality device that closely resembles ordinary glasses. The new gadget is significantly more compact than a full-fledged virtual reality headset like the Meta Quest 3, though it remains slightly larger in size than the company's Ray-Ban AI smart glasses.

With this new design, Meta appears to be positioning itself to compete with established brands such as Xreal and Viture. Mixed reality glasses from these companies occupy this precise middle segment — they are slightly larger than standard eyewear, but offer users a much slimmer and lighter build than traditional VR devices.

What to expect at Meta Connect

It is not yet officially confirmed whether Meta will unveil this new device at the Meta Connect presentation on 23 September. However, the appearance of the project's design and images within the HorizonOS software code suggests that the company is actively refining the final product.

For technology enthusiasts, this development is particularly notable, as the mixed reality market is steadily shifting towards lighter and more compact form factors that make such devices easier to integrate into daily life.