Meta Connect 2026 Live Blog – What's Next for VR?

Just a week after the Steam Frame presented Valve's vision for VR gaming, Meta is getting ready to take the stage at Meta Connect 2026.

While I don't imagine the Meta Quest 4 will be headlining, there have been a ton of rumors swirling around about its XR 'Phoenix' headset. This would essentially be a VR headset that seems to be more focused on passive entertainment than gaming. The company will also likely have new smart glasses, and will spend a huge amount of time talking about AI.

I'd love to see Meta at least tease a Meta Quest 4. Its current-generation Meta Quest 3 headset is still one of the most cost-effective ways to get into VR. However, because the Quest 3 and 3S haven't gone up in price, it's possible that Meta will avoid even mentioning a next-generation version, due to the cost increases it'd likely have to bear.

If you'd like to watch Meta Connect 2026 keynote yourself, it will be streamed on Meta's website, or on Facebook at 4pm PDT / 7pm EDT on September 29. I will be updating this article live, so if you won't want to watch Zuckerberg talk about AI for an hour, you can just stay tuned here, and I'll do it for you.

All times are in EDT

6:58pm: We've now moved from a zoomed-out Meta logo to a zoomed in one with a timer. The show is truly about to begin.

6:50pm: The show officially starts in 10 minutes, and the stream has gone from a still Meta logo to a slightly animated one with ambient music playing in the background. At least Apple's events have a better soundtrack.

6:30pm: We're 30 minutes out, and I'm still hoping Meta at least teases a Quest 4 headset.

6:00pm: If the leaks and rumors are to be believed, the headline device this year is going to be a sort of VR headset, but instead of it being closed off like the Steam Frame or the Meta Quest 3, it'll be worn similarly to regular glasses, but with traditional VR optics built into them. If that's true, I have serious doubts about how Meta would stop light from leaking in.

5:30pm: Meta Connect 2026 officially starts in about an hour and a half. I'm already bracing myself for a heaping of AI features. But, hopefully we'll get some cool hardware too.