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Meta could be gearing up for the release of a premium mixed-reality headset, as per a new report. Known as the Meta Cambria and codenamed “SeaCliff,” this new flagship mixed-reality headset will reportedly cater to the high-end segment.
The revelation comes courtesy of XR hardware analyst Brad Lynch (via XDA), who also shared a few renders based on first-hand experiences of unnamed sources. True to early reports, the VR headset in these renders looks premium and unlike anything we’ve seen from Meta or Oculus before. The term mixed-reality basically means the headset can perform actions of a VR and AR headset, offering the best of both worlds.
In the midst of all the turmoil for Meta last year, the company also teased some new hardware. The company even shared a teaser video for the Meta Cambria, known back then as Project Cambria. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg briefly discussed this premium headset without going into too much detail. But he suggested that this device would be a high-end offering. By contrast, existing Meta/Oculus headsets like the Quest and Quest 2 are reasonably priced, making them more accessible to the masses.
Meta is also planning to release its first augmented reality headset in 2024
Zuckerberg also said that Project Cambria would be the start of a new lineup, meaning they would be separate from the Quest lineup. The newly available renders show what appears to be a camera on either side of the headset’s visor. Since the headset offers mixed reality experiences, the inclusion of cameras isn’t surprising.
As per supply chain expert Ming-Chi Kuo (via UploadVR), the Project Cambria headset will feature two 2.48-inch mini LED screens with a resolution of 2160×2160. The headset will also offer multi-element ‘pancake’ lenses along with eye and head tracking capabilities. Of course, Cambria fits in very nicely with the company’s plans for the metaverse. However, there’s no widespread interest in the idea right now. Moreover, it’s unclear if launching new and expensive hardware will change that.
Based on a recently leaked roadmap, Meta is also poised to launch its first AR headset in 2024. The company has even charted out plans for its second and third-generation models in 2026 and 2028.