Meta Connect 2025 Highlights: Quest Headsets, Orion Glasses

Keynote Overview: Meta Connect 2025 Live Highlights

Meta Connect 2025 kicked off on September 17, 2025, streamed live from Menlo Park and online worldwide. The annual conference has become Meta’s biggest stage for AR, VR, and mixed reality innovations, setting the tone for the year ahead in immersive technology.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg opened with a bold claim: Meta is “closer than ever” to merging the physical and digital worlds. The keynote covered Quest headset updates, Orion smart glasses progress, Horizon software improvements, and a sneak peek into the 2026 roadmap.

For developers, Connect also serves as a training ground, with hands-on sessions, SDK releases, and partner showcases scheduled across two days.

What’s New with Meta Quest Headsets

The spotlight shined first on Quest hardware:

• Quest 3S Update: A refined version of Quest 3 with better battery life, improved pass-through cameras, and an AI-driven guardian system that adapts to room layouts.
• Performance Upgrades: Faster Snapdragon XR chipset integration promises reduced latency and higher fidelity visuals.
• Developer APIs: New APIs allow devs to leverage mixed reality occlusion, making digital objects interact more naturally with physical environments.

Meta framed Quest as the “gateway device” into mixed reality, offering affordable entry compared to premium AR/VR competitors like Apple Vision Pro.

Orion Smart Glasses: AR on the Horizon

The most anticipated reveal was progress on Orion smart glasses, Meta’s long-term AR project. While still not ready for consumer launch, the 2025 update included:

• Lightweight Design: Slimmer frames compared to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
• AI Overlays: Contextual real-world overlays, like live translations and navigation.
• Display Breakthroughs: MicroLED prototypes capable of crisp, outdoor-readable projections.

Zuckerberg positioned Orion as a true AR wearable, differentiating from VR-first Quest by focusing on daily-use scenarios like messaging, productivity, and real-time AI assistance.

Mixed Reality Software and Horizon Updates

Meta also pushed software forward:

• Horizon Worlds 2.0: A rebuilt platform with better graphics, smoother interactions, and cross-platform social spaces.
• AI-Powered Avatars: Personalized avatars with realistic facial expressions synced in real-time.
• Collaboration Tools: Horizon Workrooms now integrates with Microsoft Teams and Slack, bridging enterprise adoption.
• Dev Toolkits: Updated Presence Platform SDKs for AR interactions, voice commands, and haptic feedback support.

This signals Meta’s attempt to create a unified MR ecosystem rather than siloed devices.

Looking Ahead: 2026 AR/VR Roadmap

Beyond 2025, Meta teased what’s next:

• Next-Gen Quest (codename “Eureka”): A lighter, fully wireless headset aimed for 2026.
• Full Orion Pilot: Early access for developers in late 2026, with consumer release likely in 2027.
• Competition Watch: Meta acknowledged Samsung + Google’s Project Moohan and Apple Vision Pro as rivals, framing its advantage as affordability plus ecosystem depth.

Analysts say this roadmap shows Meta’s pivot toward AR dominance, even as VR remains its current revenue driver.

How to Watch and Participate

Missed the keynote? You can still catch up:

• Replay: Available free on Meta’s official Connect page.
• Developer Sessions: Run on September 18, covering SDK updates, Horizon integrations, and MR design best practices.
• Registration: Developers can join via Meta’s developer portal.

Whether you’re a gamer, builder, or enterprise user, Meta wants you in the loop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When and where is Meta Connect 2025 streamed?
A1: The keynote streams live on Meta’s website on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, with developer sessions on Sept. 18.

Q2: What new Quest headset updates did Meta announce?
A2: Meta previewed enhancements to Quest 3S and teased next-gen mixed reality features coming in 2026.

Q3: What are Orion smart glasses?
A3: Orion is Meta’s upcoming AR smart glasses designed for lightweight wear and AI-driven real-world overlays.

Q4: How can developers access Meta’s new toolkits?
A4: Developers can join Meta’s Horizon dev sessions on Sept. 18 or download updated SDKs from Meta’s developer portal.

Q5: What competition does Meta face in AR/VR?
A5: Samsung and Google’s Project Moohan, along with Apple Vision Pro, are key competitors in the next-gen AR/VR market.

Conclusion

Meta Connect 2025 highlights show a company pushing hard on both VR and AR fronts. The Quest lineup cements Meta’s near-term dominance in affordable mixed reality, while Orion smart glasses signal its long game in true AR adoption.

For developers, the updates bring richer APIs, AI integrations, and enterprise-ready tools. For consumers, they hint at a future where smart glasses and headsets coexist seamlessly.

If you missed the live event, replays and resources remain available online. Stay tuned as we cover developer session takeaways and early hands-on impressions.