Meta says its working on ‘multiple next-generation headsets’ despite the struggles of VR and the heat death of the metaverse
Meta continues its commitment to virtual reality development despite recent industry setbacks and the fading popularity of metaverse concepts. According to Meta’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, the company is actively developing multiple next-generation VR headsets, a commitment he reaffirmed through an Instagram Q&A session.
Bosworth directly addressed concerns that Meta was abandoning VR following the closure of three VR studios earlier in 2026. He emphasized that Meta remains invested in the space and pointed to significant recent efforts to revitalize the platform, including a major user interface overhaul—the first substantial UI update in years.
The announcement demonstrates Meta’s long-term confidence in virtual reality as a platform despite ongoing industry challenges. While initial metaverse enthusiasm has cooled considerably and VR adoption rates have remained below early projections, Meta’s continued investment in multiple hardware products suggests the company believes in VR’s eventual mainstream potential.
The multi-headset strategy likely reflects Meta’s intention to target different market segments and price points, potentially ranging from consumer-oriented devices to premium or specialized offerings. This approach could help the company maintain market presence while VR technology continues to mature and find its lasting use cases.