Meta is preparing for its largest annual hardware event with Meta Connect 2026, set to begin with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s keynote at 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET) on September 23. While the conference originally focused exclusively on virtual reality, it has expanded to cover the company’s full spectrum of hardware, artificial intelligence, and metaverse initiatives. Additional developer sessions will follow on September 24, starting with a “developer state of the union” address at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET).
A major focal point for this year’s event is the evolution of Meta’s smart glasses lineup. Reports indicate that Meta is developing camera-free frames available in two distinct styles. These glasses will feature additional microphones to enhance interaction with Meta’s AI assistant, eschewing cameras to allow for a slimmer, more conventional aesthetic. This design shift appears intended to address mounting privacy concerns and public backlash regarding the company’s current camera-equipped devices. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth recently hinted that the company would provide further commentary on these privacy issues during the keynote.
Beyond the camera-free models, Meta may also reveal new iterations of its Ray-Ban Meta collaboration, potentially including a third-generation lineup or an updated Display model featuring lenses in both eyes. The Display version, internally referred to as “Hypernova 2,” has been the subject of longstanding rumors but has seen little recent development news.
Perhaps the most anticipated hardware announcement is the “Phoenix” mixed reality headset. The lightweight device, which resembles goggles more than traditional headsets, recently appeared in images leaked from a HorizonOS update. The headset is expected to utilize a tethered connection to an external processing puck and will likely support hand and eye tracking instead of traditional controllers. Phoenix is also expected to be among the first devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, which was designed specifically to enable slimmer form factors for mixed reality applications.
Software and ecosystem updates are expected to accompany the new hardware. With Meta shuttering several VR studios, significant game announcements are unlikely. However, the company may promote entertainment-focused content, such as a rumored 3D horror series based on A24’s “Talk to Me.” Meta may also showcase advancements in holographic avatars, a technology initially demonstrated two years ago with the Orion prototype. Qualcomm has highlighted photorealistic avatars as a key capability of its new chip, and reports suggest an avatar of Bosworth could appear during the keynote to demonstrate these features.
On the AI front, Meta is expected to provide deeper insights into its AI agent, Muse. The company has previously teased that glasses support for the agent would arrive “soon,” making a detailed demonstration at Connect probable. Additionally, Meta aims to revitalize third-party developer engagement for its glasses. After announcing several apps for camera-equipped glasses last year and opening development tools for Meta Ray-Ban Display earlier this year, the company may unveil a new batch of third-party applications to broaden the ecosystem’s appeal.
Another leak-filled preview? I’ll believe it when I see it. Let’s hope the ‘soon’ for glasses support means this year.
Can’t wait to see the HorizonOS updates! That holographic avatar demo sounds impressive if they actually pull it off live.
Interesting they’re focusing on AI agents like Muse over games. With studios shuttering, maybe the software ecosystem is where the real battle is.
It’s about time Meta dropped the cameras. Maybe now people will actually want to wear them in public without getting stared at.
Phoenix sounds like a step in the right direction with that new chip, but tethered? I miss the freedom of standalone headsets.
Finally, camera-free glasses! Privacy concerns have been a real issue. Hope the AI features are actually useful this time.