Meta remains committed to virtual reality development, with plans for multiple next-generation headsets currently in progress, according to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth. This announcement comes despite recent challenges in the VR market and the company's reported pivot from its metaverse ambitions. Bosworth shared this information in a Q&A session on Instagram, addressing speculation that Meta might be exiting the VR space.
Bosworth stated that the company has made significant updates to its user interface and is actively building future hardware. This aligns with comments made by Meta CFO Susan Li during the Q4 2025 earnings call, which also mentioned the ongoing development of new headsets. While Meta has recently closed three VR studios, Bosworth maintained that the company continues to invest substantially in the VR sector, aiming for a more sustainable operational shape.
Further details regarding Meta's VR roadmap are expected to be revealed at Meta Connect, the company's annual conference, scheduled for September 23 and 24. Attendees can anticipate announcements or teases about upcoming headsets.
In related VR news, Valve's Steam Deck is nearing its release, with shipments recently seen heading to the US and a relevant tag appearing on the Steam storefront. Valve has indicated a summer launch for the headset.
A significant factor for both Valve's and Meta's upcoming devices will be their pricing. The Steam Deck is equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, compared to the Meta Quest 3's 8 GB of LPDDR5 memory. The demand for high-end hardware, particularly for AI applications, is expected to keep component costs elevated. This presents a challenging market environment for new hardware releases, making the success of Meta's next headset crucial, especially following earlier downsizing efforts within the company.