Meta leaks design for Project Phoenix headset

Meta is poised to unveil its next mixed‑reality offering at the upcoming Meta Connect event on September 23, but a leak from UploadVR has already revealed a glimpse of what the company calls “Project Phoenix.” The images were extracted from a HorizonOS Prescription Lens firmware package and show a headset that blends the form factor of smart glasses with the immersive capabilities of a full VR system.

The leaked design features lenses set into a slim, glasses‑style frame, positioning it between the bulkier mixed‑reality glasses of Xreal and Viture and Meta’s own Ray‑Ban AI smart glasses. Unlike the Ray‑Ban line, which offers limited AR overlays, Project Phoenix appears to target a more robust experience while still falling short of the Quest 3’s full‑headset form factor. The visual evidence suggests Meta is aiming to compete directly with emerging mid‑tier MR devices that seek to deliver a more portable yet powerful experience.

If the prototype proves accurate, Project Phoenix could signal Meta’s intent to capture a niche between lightweight AR glasses and heavier VR headsets, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape ahead of Meta Connect. The company’s next announcement will likely confirm whether the leaked design reflects the final product.