Meta has officially canceled its high-end mixed reality headset project, codenamed La Jolla, which was intended to compete with Apple's Vision Pro.

Originally projected for a 2027 release, the La Jolla headset was expected to feature advanced micro OLED displays similar to those in Apple's offering.

Despite aiming to keep the device's price below $1,000, Meta faced challenges due to the high costs associated with the displays.

Even with the cancellation of La Jolla, Meta is not stepping back from the VR and mixed reality market, as it continues to develop the Quest 4, slated for a 2026 release.

Rumors indicate that the Quest 4 may be available in both standard and premium versions, further expanding Meta's product line.

For now, the Quest 3 remains Meta's highest-end offering, while the upcoming Quest 3S is expected to be a more affordable version with lower specifications.

The Quest 3S is anticipated to feature a thicker design but will still support Wi-Fi 6E for enhanced connectivity.

In addition to the Quest 3S, Meta plans to preview its in-development augmented reality smart glasses, which differ from their existing Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Despite ongoing development in AR, public interest remains overshadowed by Meta's broader metaverse ambitions.

Meta's CTO, Andrew Bosworth, emphasized that not all prototypes move to production, reflecting the company's iterative approach to product development.

Meta's Reality Labs division has faced significant financial losses, totaling billions, as the company navigates the evolving landscape of virtual and augmented reality.

Following the news of the headset cancellation, Apple's stock experienced a minor uptick, indicating market reactions to the competitive landscape.