My predictions for Meta Connect 2026

Key Points:

• Meta Connect is expected to unveil the next-gen mixed-reality headset codenamed Phoenix, a lightweight device focused on media consumption and productivity, featuring passthrough MR, eye and hand tracking, with an anticipated price around $1,000 and shipping in late 2026 or early 2027.
• New smartglasses may be announced, including camera-less models codenamed Luna and possibly an updated Meta Ray-Ban Display, with Meta addressing privacy concerns and expanding smartglass offerings.
• Meta is likely to showcase hyper-realistic Codec Avatars enabled by the Phoenix headset’s eye tracking, alongside a redesigned HorizonOS UX to improve usability and support the new control scheme.
• A vague hint about a future gaming-focused Quest 4 headset might be given without explicit details to avoid impacting current Quest 3 sales, while a new Meta smartwatch codenamed Malibu 2 could also be introduced as a fitness and health device linked to Meta’s XR ecosystem.
• AI integration, particularly the Muse AI assistant, is expected to be highlighted as part of Meta’s XR devices, alongside announcements of VR content partnerships such as with James Cameron for immersive media experiences and potential funding programs for smartglasses content development.