Meta Will Unveil Project Phoenix Headset at Connect 2026
The company intends to showcase new VR glasses and full-body avatar technology during its upcoming event.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Meta plans to demonstrate its Project Phoenix headset and full-body Codec Avatars during the Meta Connect 2026 event on September 23-24. The device, which also carries the internal codenames Stanley and Loma, features a glasses-based design paired with a tethered compute puck.
Why it matters
Meta aims to position the Phoenix headset as a primary tool for virtual screens and film viewing. The demonstration of full-body avatar technology, potentially branded as Hologram, marks a major step in the evolution of immersive video calls.
The Phoenix system utilizes Passthrough VR technology operating on the same principles as the Meta Quest 3. The Codec Avatars function by utilizing inward-facing and SLAM sensors to generate full-body holograms.
The players
Meta
Meta is a technology conglomerate that develops social media platforms and virtual reality hardware.
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg serves as the CEO of Meta and has been a primary advocate for the company's metaverse strategy.
Andrew Bosworth
Andrew Bosworth is the Chief Technology Officer at Meta and oversees the Reality Labs division responsible for hardware development.
The details
The Phoenix hardware consists of glasses connected to a compute puck, with firmware references indicating a system for Hologram Calling. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth have both recently reviewed the progress of these hologram-like video capabilities.
Timeline
August 2026: Meta increased development focus on Codec Avatars for video calls.
September 2026: Official visuals of the headset were discovered within company firmware.
September 23-24, 2026: The Meta Connect 2026 event takes place.
The Tech Race
The transition toward glasses-based VR hardware follows the trajectory set by the Meta Quest 3, signaling a push for slimmer, more wearable immersive devices. This shift pits Meta against other hardware makers as it seeks to replace bulkier headsets with more portable glasses-like designs.
The development of Phoenix suggests a future where users can replace traditional monitors with virtual screens for viewing media. Once released, this technology could offer a more compact way to conduct high-fidelity video calls compared to current standard camera setups.
The takeaway
Meta is betting on hologram-based communication and glasses-based VR to redefine how we consume media and interact remotely. Prospective users should monitor the upcoming Connect event for confirmation on how these research-phase projects will eventually reach the consumer market.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest hardware developments in Consumer Electronics.
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Will new photorealistic hologram technology make digital communication feel more like a real-life meeting?
