In the wake of Apple’s Vision Pro unveiling and the escalating interest in augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality, Meta is gearing up to leap forward with its own AR glasses project. Rumors abound that the company, under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg and his team, will reveal a prototype of its next-gen AR glasses at the upcoming Connect conference later this year.

A recent report from Business Insider sheds light on Meta’s intentions to provide a live demo showcasing its advancements in AR technology. However, despite the excitement, the glasses are not expected to hit the commercial market this year.

Meta’s journey in developing AR glasses spans several years, with glimpses of progress along the way. Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, indicated late last year that the company’s AR glasses prototype is “significantly advanced,” with plans to distribute some units to developers later this year. Yet, Bosworth cautioned that the current cost of the device is prohibitive for consumer adoption, signaling Meta’s focus on reducing costs ahead of a planned consumer launch in 2027.

The impending reveal of Meta’s Orion glasses at the Connect conference underscores the company’s confidence in its AR wearable technology. With Apple gaining momentum in the AR space, Meta is keen to assert its presence and innovation.

Reports suggest that Meta’s Orion glasses will be distinct from its current Ray-Ban Stories glasses, likely featuring a more compact design compared to Apple’s Vision Pro headset. An insider leak hints that one of the devices visible in a recent Instagram post by Zuckerberg could be the latest iteration of Meta’s AR glasses.

Interestingly, Zuckerberg’s recent review of the Vision Pro highlighted Meta’s Quest Pro headset as a superior option for mixed reality use. He emphasized the Quest’s value proposition, citing its affordability and superior performance in various functions compared to the Vision Pro.

The emphasis on price underscores Meta’s strategic focus on affordability as a key factor in the AR glasses market. As the competition intensifies, Meta aims to deliver a stylistic and cost-effective alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro.

The unveiling of Meta’s next-generation AR glasses marks the beginning of a new tech battleground centered around augmented reality. Will Meta’s ambitious plans for a more affordable and stylish AR device outpace Apple’s Vision Pro, or will Apple’s approach eventually reap major dividends? Only time will tell as the AR race unfolds.