Meta Platforms cancels high-end plans with mixed reality headsets

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: ) has canceled plans for a premium mixed reality headset intended to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro, according to a report from The Information on Friday.

The publication said the project, known internally as “La Jolla,” was halted after a product review meeting involving CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other top executives.

The headset, which began development in November and was slated for release in 2027, was expected to feature advanced micro OLED displays similar to those used in Apple’s Vision Pro.

However, keeping the cost of the device under $1,000 proved challenging because of the expensive display technology, The Information said.

This decision comes as Meta shifts its strategy from exclusively building hardware to licensing its XR software, Horizon OS, to other companies.

The Information notes that Meta has explored partnerships, including talks with Indian tech giant Jio, although previous deals, such as one with LG, fell through.

Despite the “La Jolla” cancellation, Meta is said to still be developing lower-end headsets like the Quest 4, which is set to launch in 2026.

The existing Quest lineup includes the Quest 2 and Quest 3, which retail for $200 and $500, respectively.

Meta previously halted production of the $999 Quest Pro due to poor sales, but refocused on high-end devices following Apple’s Vision Pro announcement, leading to the now-cancelled “La Jolla” project.

As Meta increases its focus on artificial intelligence, it is cutting costs in its Reality Labs division.

The company also prioritizes Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have exceeded expectations.

Meta plans to show off its augmented reality glasses at the Connect developer conference in September, though they won’t be publicly available for several years due to ongoing development challenges, according to The Information.