Meta reportedly sidelined ‘Quest 4’ designs for a goggles-like mixed-reality headset

Meta is pushing ahead with a lightweight headset that could come with a “tethered compute puck” that powers the device, according to a report from UploadVR. Sources tell the outlet that Meta now aims to release the mixed-reality device by the end of 2026, while sidelining two Quest 4 headsets rumored to launch next year.

The forthcoming Quest 4 headsets – called “Pismo Low” and “Pismo High” internally – were rumored to come in a standard and premium variant. Now that they might be canceled, another Quest headset may be years away. The company also abandoned plans for its high-end La Jolla headset last year, which would’ve arrived in 2027.

The Information first reported on Meta’s plans for a lightweight mixed-reality device, codenamed “Puffin,” in August 2024, saying it looks like a “bulky pair of glasses” and weighs just 110 grams. At the time, The Information reported that Meta would have to offload the processor and battery into a pocket-sized external pack to make the headset lighter. The device also reportedly won’t come with controllers, allowing users to control it with their eyes and gestures instead.

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth confirmed The Information’s reporting to The Verge’s Alex Heath last year, saying the company recently moved into the “discovery” phase of its development.

As reported by UploadVR, Meta is currently considering several different display options at varying prices, but it “hasn’t yet settled on which it will ship.” The device will also run HorizonOS, similar to Meta’s Quest headsets, but it could be primarily designed for productivity and entertainment rather than gaming, according to UploadVR.