First look at Meta’s new VR glasses

Summary CNBC’s Julia Boorstin provides a hands-on first look at Meta’s new compact VR glasses, introduced in September 2026. She tests the headset’s video passthrough, camera-based hand tracking, entertainment viewing, and virtual workspace features while examining its tethered puck form factor.

What is shown

• [00:00] Julia Boorstin puts on the slim Meta VR glasses and describes the in-lens display view.
• [00:15] Comparison between the VR glasses and their tethered companion compute puck, contrasting them with Quest headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses.
• [00:35] Demonstration of the video camera passthrough mode and the in-headset application grid (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, Disney+, ESPN).
• [00:48] Hand-tracking interaction demonstrated using finger tapping and swiping gestures to navigate without a wristband or handheld controllers.
• [01:06] Demonstration holding a wireless controller for gaming and browsing entertainment apps.
• [01:21] Demonstration of productivity features, including typing on a projected virtual keyboard on a flat desk surface and syncing virtual monitors with a laptop.
• [01:48] Boorstin testing gesture navigation while sharing impressions of video passthrough versus optical see-through displays.
• [02:00] Display of the $1,299 retail price graphic, alongside brief comparative footage of Snap’s AR glasses.
• [02:17] Close-up view of the glasses’ lenses, frame, and tethered puck on the table.

Claims & numbers

• The presenter states the display provides a “very high resolution” virtual screen comparable to watching in a movie theater with 3D glasses [00:09].
• The presenter explains the device uses exterior cameras for video passthrough rather than transparent optical see-through lenses [00:36].
• The presenter states user navigation is powered entirely by camera hand tracking (tapping and swiping) without requiring a wristband [00:48].
• The presenter claims the system can project a functional virtual keyboard onto any flat surface and create expanded virtual monitors synced to a laptop [01:23].
• The presenter states the glasses will retail for $1,299 starting next year [01:59].
• The presenter claims the price point is less expensive than Snap’s AR glasses [02:04].
• The presenter states the glasses can operate independently without pairing to a phone or computer [02:14].

Notable quotes

• “These are the new Meta VR glasses, a lot different than the Meta Quest VR headset or the Meta display glasses...” [00:15]
• “It is kind of weird to look at the world around me through the video version of the world, rather than just have the glasses see-through...” [01:47]
• “...it’s going to be selling for $1,299 starting next year, so it’s less expensive than the Snap glasses...” [01:58]

Assessment This is an authentic hands-on media review and early demo filmed on-site at Meta. While the physical hardware and user gestures are demonstrated live by the reporter, several of the first-person UI views and virtual monitor overlays are promotional B-roll provided by Meta rather than direct through-the-lens camera captures.

Described by gemini-3.8-flash on 2026-10-15 from the video’s audio and frames.