It’s been a long time coming, but we may finally have a real glimpse at Meta’s next “headset,” if you want to call it that. Thanks to assets found in a Quest firmware update (per UploadVR), we have a solid glimpse at what Meta’s “Project Phoenix” looks like, and if you’ve seen Xreal and Google’s Aura XR glasses, then things might seem a bit familiar.
The media found inside the firmware update doesn’t reveal much about any capabilities of Project Phoenix, but it does show off how prescription lenses are applied to the headset and how the headset’s QR code can be scanned. The leak clearly shows a glasses-like form factor with nose pads and sensors on the outside of the temples and underneath the arms.
Images also show that the headset is tethered, though that’s no surprise—leaks have foreshadowed the fact that Project Phoenix is wired for a while now. One thing that isn’t pictured is the separate compute puck to which Project Phoenix is expected to be tethered. If it’s anything like Xreal’s Aura glasses, it’ll be roughly phone-sized with some added heft. There have been previous leaks showing Phoenix’s puck, though those were models based on prototypes, so there’s a chance the final version may be different.
First look at the compute unit for Meta’s 2027 Project Phoenix VR glasses!
I modeled this based on physical prototypes I’ve seen. Note the waistband clip and the cooling exhaust on top. The design will likely change, but this represents some variants currently being tested. https://t.co/M0KgoTPlEU pic.twitter.com/IJPszfLfJg
— Nori 🦈 (@noridoesvr) February 6, 2026
There’s still plenty that remains a mystery about Project Phoenix, like what Meta envisions you using the headset for, for example, how much it will cost, and when it will be released, but the headset is expected to function similarly to the Quest 3, meaning it will use XR passthrough instead of AR like Snap’s Specs glasses or Meta’s Project Orion.
The good news is we may have answers to lots of those questions soon. Meta Connect, the company’s annual hardware showcase, is just around the corner, and if leaks like this are any indication, Meta might finally reveal more about Project Phoenix, and luckily Gizmodo will be on-site if that reveal comes to pass.