Meta Cancels Quest 4 in Favour of Lightweight Headset Launch in 2026
- tech360.tv
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Meta has cancelled its direct successor to the Meta Quest 3, shifting focus to a new lightweight headset expected to launch in 2026.
According to UploadVR, the company has scrapped a traditional Meta Quest 4-style project in favour of a device that offloads its processing power to an external puck. This design aims to reduce the weight of the headset, making it more comfortable and portable.
The new headset, reportedly codenamed Puffin, is expected to resemble a pair of enhanced sunglasses rather than a bulky VR headset. It will run on HorizonOS, the same operating system used in current Meta devices, and support a wide range of existing apps.
While the display technology has not yet been finalised, the headset is likely to feature a narrower field of view compared to the Meta Quest 3. Meta has not confirmed the specifications, but similar products like XReal’s Air One glasses use 1080p microOLED displays to simulate large virtual screens.
The Puffin headset is part of Meta’s broader strategy to offer a range of smart wearables. This includes screen-free smart glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses on one end, and full-featured VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 on the other.
A more conventional Meta Quest 4-style headset is now expected to arrive in 2027.
Meta cancels traditional Quest 4 project in favour of lighter headset
New device, codenamed Puffin, expected to launch in 2025
Headset will use external puck for processing to reduce weight
Source: FORBES