Meta Connect 2025: Anticipated Smart Glasses, Upgraded Ray‑Bans and Future VR Plans
Key Points
- Meta Connect 2025 will likely highlight a new smart‑glass device codenamed Celeste.
- Celeste is expected to feature a single‑eye peripheral display for notifications and photo previews.
- The rumored price for Celeste is around $800.
- A dedicated Meta smartwatch appears to be cancelled; a wearable controller for the glasses may be introduced.
- Upgraded Ray‑Ban smart glasses and new Oakley HSTN models are anticipated.
- No new VR headset is expected at the event, but rumors of a Quest Pro 2 with an external compute puck persist.
- Meta may reveal new metaverse software, including a release date for Deadpool VR.
Meta Connect 2025 is set to spotlight the company’s next wave of smart eyewear, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth hinting at a new device codenamed Celeste. The rumored glasses would blend Ray‑Ban style frames with a single‑eye peripheral display for notifications and camera previews, and could carry a premium price tag. Meta may also tease an upgraded line of Ray‑Ban and Oakley smart glasses, while a potential smartwatch‑like controller remains uncertain. On the VR side, no new headset is expected, but rumors of a Quest Pro 2 with an external compute puck continue to circulate.
Meta Connect 2025 Focuses on Smart Eyewear
Meta’s annual showcase, Meta Connect 2025, is expected to center on the next generation of smart glasses. Both CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth have hinted at major announcements, and leaks point to a device codenamed Celeste. Celeste is likely to retain the fashionable Ray‑Ban aesthetic that debuted in 2023, while adding a single‑screen display for one eye that sits in the user’s peripheral vision. The display would handle on‑screen notifications, map directions, and quick photo previews rather than full‑scale augmented‑reality objects. Rumors suggest the device could be priced around $800.
Potential Companion Devices
While a dedicated Meta smartwatch has been rumored for some time, sources indicate the company may have cancelled the project. Instead, a wearable controller designed to work with the Celeste glasses is seen as more plausible. This controller could be bundled with the glasses, contributing to the higher price point, but a full‑featured smartwatch with health monitoring and a camera is not expected in the near term.
Upgraded Ray‑Ban and Oakley Glasses
Beyond Celeste, Meta is likely to update its existing Ray‑Ban smart glasses with newer specifications, keeping the price closer to current models. The recent Oakley HSTN glasses have already introduced better cameras and longer battery life, and further variations in frame shape and lens color are anticipated. These upgrades would help Meta stay competitive against emerging Android XR, Rokid and Amazon smart‑glass initiatives.
VR Headset Outlook
Although no new VR hardware is slated for Meta Connect 2025, rumors continue to circulate about a future Quest Pro 2, formerly codenamed Puffin and now referred to as Phoenix. The concept involves moving the battery and compute module to an external pocket‑sized puck, similar to the design approach of Apple’s Vision Pro, aiming to reduce headset bulk and improve comfort for extended sessions. However, official confirmation is absent, and the event is expected to focus primarily on the smart‑glass ecosystem.
Software and Content Plans
Meta is expected to showcase metaverse software, potentially revealing a release date for the Quest‑exclusive Deadpool VR title and other streaming‑service integrations. While hardware announcements may be limited, the software preview could reinforce Meta’s commitment to immersive experiences across its device lineup.