Meta’s 100-gram VR glasses move computing into a tethered puck

Meta introduced a new VR device on September 23 that looks more like glasses than a conventional headset. The company says Meta VR Glasses weigh about 100 grams and will go on sale in spring 2027 for $1,299.99 in the United States. The lighter frame depends on a separate puck connected by an optical tether. That puck carries the processor, battery and storage, so the weight has moved from the face rather than disappeared.

Where the hardware went

The glasses contain the displays and sensors. Meta specifies micro-OLED panels, 37 pixels per degree, compact pancake lenses and Dolby Atmos spatial audio in the frame. The puck uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite processor, with Meta claiming up to three hours of continuous high-resolution media playback. Those are company specifications, not independently measured battery life or comfort. A connected accessory may make the glasses easier to wear, while adding a cable and another object to carry.

Meta says open sides and a passthrough camera let the wearer remain aware of nearby surroundings. That is a different tradeoff from a sealed headset. It may improve comfort and situational awareness, but a buyer will still need to judge how well the display works in changing light and whether a tether is convenient over a full movie or workday.

Cinema, sport and a private desk

The company pitches the device as a personal theater, a courtside seat and a portable workspace. It says the glasses are the first IMAX Enhanced certified VR device. Disney+ subscribers are due to get selected 3D films in some countries in November; other streaming partners are also named. The content slate is a mix of current plans and future licensing, not a guarantee that every title will be available everywhere at launch.

For sport, Meta promises more than 100 immersive live US events a year once the glasses launch, with partners including MLB, TNT Sports and UFC. Some immersive sports content will arrive first on Quest. The appeal will depend as much on camera production, event rights and streaming quality as on headset resolution.

The work mode offers multiple private screens and turns a flat surface into a virtual keyboard and touchpad. Meta also describes hand and eye controls, plus a hologram calling feature that shows a photorealistic digital version of the caller. These features are ambitious, but typing accuracy, privacy and how natural the avatar feels need real-world tests.

The 2027 test

At $1,299.99, this is a premium device with a promised spring 2027 release, not a product available today. Meta has published detailed claims about weight, display and media partnerships. Independent reviews will need to establish whether the tethered design truly supports long sessions and whether the promised library is compelling enough to justify the price.