Meta VR Glasses Shrink the Headset to 100 Grams, and They Are Coming to Australia
Meta's next-generation headset looks like a pair of glasses, moves the computer into a pocket puck and launches in spring 2027, with Australia on the list.
The biggest barrier to virtual reality has never really been the software. It is the headset: heavy, hot and strapped to your face. At its Connect conference this week, Meta showed its answer, and it looks a lot more like a pair of sunglasses than a VR helmet.
A headset split in two
Meta VR Glasses weigh about 100 grams, roughly the same as a deck of cards and around five times lighter than a Meta Quest 3. The trick is splitting the hardware in two. The glasses handle the displays and sensors, while the processor, battery and storage live in a separate puck of about 300 grams that clips to a pocket or bag and connects via a thin fibre optic cable.
There are no straps, and the open sides plus a passthrough camera keep you aware of what is going on around you. Meta is pitching them for watching a full movie on a long flight, working privately on a virtual screen, or taking a courtside seat at live sport.
No controllers required
The glasses run the same operating system and store as Quest, so the existing catalogue of VR apps is available. They do not ship with controllers, and Meta says more than 75 games and apps have been optimised for hand tracking at launch, including a hand-tracked version of Beat Saber. Streaming apps including Disney+, YouTube and Prime Video will be there from day one, with some offering 3D content. The price includes 128GB of storage and a microSD slot.
Price and availability
- US price: US$1,299.99
- Launch: spring 2027
- Australia: confirmed as one of 25 launch countries, with local pricing to come
Pre-orders are not yet open, and Meta has not given an exact date. Still, it is rare for Australia to be on the first-wave list for a new Meta headset, which makes this one worth watching.
Sources: Meta, Road to VR. Image courtesy of Meta.
