Meta’s next-generation virtual reality headset, developed under the codenames Phoenix, Stanley, and Loma, has leaked through official Horizon OS firmware files discovered by data miners ToastConcern and Noridoesvr, according to reports from UploadVR. The upcoming hardware features an ultralight, open-periphery form factor resembling oversized smart glasses, equipped with a tethered compute puck designed to handle processing off the face.
Firmware Assets Reveal Slim Visor Design and Compute Puck
The leaked product renders and system packages, distributed as ZIP files within the Horizon OS beta firmware, showcase a major departure from the bulky visor aesthetic of the Meta Quest line, as reported by UploadVR. According to firmware inspection details, the slim headset utilizes glasses-style nose pads instead of a traditional face interface, with tracking sensors integrated into the sides and undersides of the temples.
Ergonomics and Advanced Optical Calibration Features
The firmware assets detail several ergonomic adjustments designed to improve user fit and visual clarity. The device supports independent interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment, allowing each lens to be fine-tuned separately rather than relying on a stepped physical dial. Furthermore, the package includes instructions for removable nose pads and an eye-tracking calibration onboarding sequence that resembles the setup process on Apple’s Vision Pro. Meta also released a system-reliant package titled HorizonOS Prescription Lens in August 2026, allowing users to pair prescription lens inserts that attach directly to the hardware and feature QR codes scanned by the device’s internal sensors.
Upcoming Meta Connect 2026 Agenda and Pricing Pressures
Meta Connect 2026 approaches with an official agenda featuring a dedicated session titled “A practical guide to controller-free interaction,” which aligns with Phoenix’s heavy reliance on eye and hand tracking capabilities. While earlier internal company targets cited by The Wall Street Journal aimed for a price point under $1,000, ongoing supply constraints and a sharp price surge in the global RAM market threaten to push the final manufacturing bill of materials higher, potentially shifting retail pricing closer to $1,200 or more at launch.
Did you know? Project Phoenix is part of a broader hardware lineage that previously utilized internal codenames such as Puffin and Loma before settling on its current identifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meta’s Project Phoenix?
Project Phoenix is Meta’s upcoming premium, ultralight headset designed with an open-periphery glasses-style frame and an external compute puck, as detailed in firmware leaks covered by UploadVR.
How does the compute puck work?
When is Meta expected to reveal the new headset?
Industry reports from UploadVR note that the firmware leaks closely precede Meta Connect 2026, which features sessions dedicated to controller-free interaction.
What are your thoughts on shifting VR processing to a waist-worn compute puck? Let us know in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more spatial computing updates.
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