Meta is quietly developing a new type of virtual reality glasses, codenamed “Puffin”, expected to launch in 2027. Meta's goal is to create a compact, affordable product that can "fight" with the Apple Vision Pro that is taking the market by storm.

Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is planning to launch a new generation of mixed reality glasses by 2027. Codenamed “Puffin,” the glasses are designed to be more user-friendly and easier to use than Meta’s current Quest line. Puffin glasses are expected to be significantly more compact, ditching the bulky design and handheld controllers. Instead, users will control the device with hand gestures and eye movements, similar to what Apple Vision Pro does.

The development of Puffin glasses is part of Zuckerberg’s long-term strategy to bring virtual reality technology into everyday life. Unlike Apple Vision Pro with its large headset design and “sky-high” price of $ 3,500, Meta’s new device is expected to be more affordable and have a neater design. This change promises to attract more users, especially those who are still hesitant about current VR/AR devices.

In recent months, Zuckerberg has teased a pair of new glasses, calling them “smart glasses” with exciting features like a holographic display, built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers. In other words, Puffin glasses will be a hybrid of the current Ray-Ban Meta glasses (which don’t have a screen) and high-end virtual reality headsets. The goal of Meta is to create a device that looks like regular glasses but has a holographic display that allows users to chat, view information, and experience applications like games or military equipment.

Financial and strategic context

Meta’s Reality Labs division, which plays a key role in developing virtual reality technology, has invested heavily in research and development. Since its founding in 2019, Reality Labs has “poured” more than $59.9 billion into the field. Although it has not yet recovered its investment, Meta still believes in the potential of virtual reality technology in the future.

The large financial commitment reflects Meta’s belief in the long-term potential of mixed reality technology. However, the division’s continued losses have raised concerns among investors. In response, Meta’s chief financial officer, Susan Li, said she expects Reality Labs’ operating losses to “reduce significantly” in the coming years, especially with the launch of new products like Puffin glasses.

The launch of Puffin glasses is not only aimed at capturing a larger share of the mixed reality market, but also at challenging Apple Vision Pro, which has set a high bar with its advanced features and premium price. The competitive landscape is heating up as tech giants like Meta and Apple vie for leadership in the augmented reality and virtual reality space.