Meta Connect 2026: What to Expect from Meta's Annual XR Conference
Meta Connect 2026 is set to take place on September 23rd and 24th, and as the anticipation builds, the question on everyone's mind is: What exciting announcements and revelations will Meta bring to the table this year?
As the annual XR conference, Meta Connect has been a pivotal event since the last F8 in 2021, previously known as Oculus Connect. The event has been a platform for Meta to showcase its advancements in VR, AR, and smart glasses technology, as well as introduce new developer tools and research into the future of XR.
In the lead-up to Connect 2026, Meta has been making some intriguing hints about what's to come. The company's smart glasses, for instance, have been a fast-growing consumer electronics category, with over 7 million units sold in 2025 and daily usage tripling year-over-year. This, coupled with Meta's status as the biggest investor in the industry, suggests that the company is poised to make significant strides in the realm of smart glasses and VR.
One of the most anticipated announcements at Connect 2026 is the ultralight headset with an open periphery design and a tethered compute puck. Internal memos from December revealed that this headset, codenamed Phoenix, is set to launch in the first half of 2027. The graphics depicting this headset have already been found in Quest firmware, providing a glimpse into Meta's future hardware.
On the smart glasses front, Meta is expected to launch four new models this year, codenamed Modelo, Luna, RBM2 Refresh, and Mojito VIP. While the specifics of these models are unclear, one of them may be the Prada Meta Glasses, which were reported to be in the works by CNBC last year. The RBM2 Refresh, on the other hand, is likely a refreshed version of the second generation of the regular Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which were announced at Connect 2025.
In addition to the hardware announcements, Meta is also rumored to be testing Artemis, its first consumer true AR glasses. Previous reports have suggested that Artemis will be sleeker than the Orion prototype but with a narrower field of view. However, it seems that Meta might be beaten to the punch by Snap, who are reportedly launching their AR glasses this fall for $2,500.
As we eagerly await the unveiling of these new technologies at Meta Connect 2026, it's clear that the company is poised to make significant strides in the realm of XR. With its continued investment in VR and smart glasses, and the anticipated launch of innovative hardware, Meta is set to shape the future of immersive technologies.
Stay tuned for our full coverage of Meta Connect 2026, where we'll bring you all the latest news and insights from the event. As an active writer on UploadVR, I'm excited to share my thoughts and analysis on the exciting developments in the industry, and I'm thrilled to bring you more content from VR Download soon!
