By Scott Younker published 13 hours ago

Computing power removed from the headset and allegedly attached to your belt

(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

Meta has been fairly quiet when it comes to its VR devices like the Quest 3 and Quest 3s, especially since the company just laid off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs arm which is responsible for VR. The company's CTO tried to downplay the layoffs, saying that it would "unblock roadmaps for our next two devices."

One of those devices may be the rumored Meta Phoenix lightweight VR headset.

A mock-up based on seen prototype models surfaced in early January from Luna, a regular VR leaker. "I’ve seen development units of Meta’s premium lightweight VR HMD, planned for H1 2027," she posted.

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Her mock-up revealed a device that is much smaller than the Quest 3 headset that seems like a midstep between AR smart glasses like the Xreal One Pros and a full VR headset.

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The 2027 device is supposed to move the compute abilities to a separate puck where the processing chip and some other components will be housed.

This week, another VR leaker, Noridoesvr posted a mockup of said puck. Like the Luna leak, Nori claims their mockup is based on "physical prototypes" that they've seen. She noted that it includes a waistband clip and a cooling exhaust.

"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, they said.

"I don't have more information about Phoenix or what Meta's plans are for it." The device was delayed into 2027 in December according to an internal memo seen by Mashable.

Reportedly, Meta will release a "limited edition" device called Malibu 2 and a next-generation Meta Quest device this year, but after the layoffs its not clear if those plans will come to fruition or not.

The memo claimed that the revamped device will have major upgrades focused on gaming, but it was vague from there on. Stay tuned to Tom's Guide for all the latest on Meta's next VR headset(s) because we're as interested to know more as you are.