The VR headset market has been somewhat sluggish recently, with lackluster sales leading to a downsizing of Apple's Vision Pro team and the Samsung Galaxy XR remaining available only in select markets. Nevertheless, Meta remains confident in the demand for XR headsets and has launched the Meta VR Glasses.
The Meta VR Glasses realize Mark Zuckerberg's vision of creating a lightweight and compact XR headset. Weighing just 100 grams—five times lighter than the Meta Quest 3—it features a 5K "Infinite Display" using micro-OLED technology and supports Dolby Vision. It is the first headset to meet the IMAX Enhanced standard, allowing users to watch IMAX content in the correct aspect ratio.
The headset is lightweight because the processing hardware, storage, and battery are not housed within the headset itself. Instead, it connects via a cable to a pack carried in a bag or trouser pocket. This pack contains the Snapdragon Reality Elite processor and a battery that lasts for three hours, supporting 45W charging.
Users can watch 2D, 3D, or immersive movie content on a massive virtual screen overlaid in XR mode. 3D content from Disney+, Peacock, Paramount+, and HBO Max is accessible through the headset. Future updates will also enable the viewing of immersive 8K, 180-degree sports event videos through a partnership with ESPN.
For productivity, users can activate multiple virtual screens and input text using virtual keyboards and trackpads. Meta states that 75 games are playable natively, with hundreds more accessible via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The most eye-catching feature is "Hologram Calling," which allows conversations with other Meta VR Glasses users represented by full-body holograms. The hologram avatar's facial expressions and hand movements mirror the actual caller's actions—similar to the Vision Pro's "Persona" feature for 3D FaceTime calls. Meta VR glasses will go on sale in the spring of 2027 at a price of $1,299.99 (~RM5,306) per pair.
