Meta burned $19 billion on VR last year, and 2026 won't be any better

Core Insights - Meta's Reality Labs, its virtual reality unit, has faced significant financial losses, totaling approximately $19.1 billion in 2025, which is an increase from $17.7 billion in 2024 [2] - The company has laid off 10% of its Reality Labs staff, equating to around 1,000 employees, as part of a broader strategy to address ongoing losses [1] Financial Performance - In 2025, Reality Labs generated $2.2 billion in sales, with $955 million in Q4 alone, while incurring a loss of $6.2 billion in the same quarter [2] - Losses for Reality Labs are expected to remain consistent in 2026, with Zuckerberg indicating that this year may represent a peak in losses before a gradual reduction [3][4] Strategic Direction - Meta is shifting its investment focus towards glasses and wearables, aiming to make its Horizon platform successful on mobile and establish a profitable VR ecosystem [4] - The company plans to close several VR studios and retire its standalone Workrooms app, signaling a diminishing interest in virtual reality [5]