Meta unveils lightweight Vision Pro VR glasses for $999, launches 2025

Meta unveiled a new line of lightweight VR glasses on Tuesday, promising an “IMAX‑enhanced” viewing experience for consumers. The devices, called Meta Vision Pro, will launch in the United States in early 2025 and will be sold through the company’s online store and select retail partners. The announcement came at Meta’s annual developer conference in San Jose, California.

The move marks Meta’s second attempt to crack the high‑end mixed‑reality market after the mixed reception to its earlier Quest Pro headset. That product was praised for its design but criticized for its price and limited content. The broader VR market has grown steadily, with revenue projected to exceed $30 billion by 2027. Competitors such as Apple, Sony and HTC are all racing to offer more immersive, comfortable headsets. Meta’s new glasses aim to address past shortcomings by cutting weight to under 250 grams and focusing on entertainment rather than enterprise use.

Meta partnered with IMAX to deliver a curated library of movies and documentaries optimized for the headset’s high‑resolution displays. The glasses feature dual 4K micro‑OLED panels, a 120 Hz refresh rate and built‑in spatial audio. Meta says the devices will cost $999, a price point lower than many premium headsets but still above most consumer VR products. Analysts at Morgan Stanley called the pricing “aggressive” and noted that the IMAX tie‑in could attract a broader audience. Early reviewers have praised the slimmer design but remain cautious about the ecosystem’s depth.

Meta plans to begin pre‑orders in November, with shipments expected in the first quarter of 2025. The company will roll out additional content partnerships with major studios and gaming developers over the next year. If the glasses gain traction, they could reshape how mainstream users consume movies and games in immersive formats. The success of the launch will also test Meta’s ability to turn its vision of the “metaverse” into a profitable consumer product line.