According to foreign media reports, ByteDance is developing a new mixed reality (MR) glasses through its VR company Pico, aiming to directly compete with Meta's upcoming next-generation MR product, marking that the competition between the two tech giants in the field of spatial computing is shifting from VR headsets to more lightweight device forms.
Unlike Pico's previous strategy of targeting Meta Quest series products, this new device adopts a lightweight design, weighing about 127 grams, and its size is close to the niche market's Bigscreen Beyond VR headset. To achieve an ultra-thin and lightweight design, the device will transfer most computing tasks to a separate processing unit connected via a cable.
This technical approach is highly similar to the Orion AR glasses prototype Meta showcased in November 2024. According to sources, to ensure user experience, Pico is developing a "dedicated chip" for this device, which will process sensor data to minimize the latency between user movements and augmented reality (AR) visuals.
This strategic shift also reflects Meta's own moves. According to UploadVR, after launching Quest3S, Meta has suspended the development of Quest4 and shifted its focus to the research and development of lightweight MR glasses. Recently, Meta has focused on promoting AI wearable devices (such as smart glasses developed in collaboration with Oakley), and its next-generation Quest product is expected to resemble smart glasses rather than traditional VR headsets.
Although specific details are not yet fully confirmed, various signs indicate that ByteDance and Meta's next-generation product roadmaps are highly aligned, both betting on lightweight, split MR glasses, signaling the future direction of the industry.