The Meta Quest 3, which will be introduced in late 2023, is Meta’s most advanced VR headgear ever, including impressive features such as strong processing speed, high-resolution displays, and a streamlined appearance. While the ink on the Meta Quest 3 user guides has barely dried, speculations and projections regarding the next incarnation, Meta Quest 4, are already circulating.
But for the ravenous VR lovers, the burning issue is: what comes next?
Will it provide ground-breaking features that redefine VR experiences? Will it be lighter, with more AI capabilities, sleeker, and more comfortable to wear for long journeys around virtual landscapes?
What Is the Meta Quest 4?
The Meta Quest 4 is intended to replace the Meta Quest 3 in the company’s VR headset line-up. We anticipate significant enhancements in Quest 3, which are described here.
As with earlier generations, the Quest 4 will appeal to gamers, tech aficionados, and businesses that use virtual reality and simulation for meetings and training.
It will most likely offer a wide range of entertainment, social, and business applications, putting it in rivalry with the Apple Vision Pro, but at a much lower price.
When Is the Meta Quest 4 Released?
Expected: Late 2025 or Early 2026
While no official release date has been announced, we can make some educated estimates based on Meta’s previous release trends.
Looking back, the Oculus Quest (later renamed Meta Quest) was released in 2019, followed by the Meta Quest 2 in 2020.
This short 17-month period between releases indicated a quick development cycle. However, things slowed down a bit with the Meta Quest 3, which debuted in October 2023, three years after its predecessor.
This shift to a longer release cycle could be attributed to a variety of circumstances, including a global chip scarcity, which may have influenced development timelines.
Furthermore, with the inclusion of mixed reality features in the Quest 3, Meta may have need more time to polish this new technology.
According to this revised three-year release plan, Meta Quest 4 could debut in late 2025 or early 2026.
Another option is that Meta would wait for Apple to deliver its Vision Pro 2, which is expected in 2026, before launching its Quest 4.
Meta may also consider introducing the Quest 4 and the Quest 4S (the slimmer, less expensive device) concurrently to hit both ends of the market. The two versions are said to be in development under the code names Prismo Low and Prismo High.
Rivalry between the two businesses in the extended reality sector has lately emerged, and we anticipate that this may impact the release schedule of Meta Quest 4.
Expected Meta Quest 4 Features
Improvements to AI features and Eye-tracking Capability
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Project Pismo: Opportunity to Test NEW Tech On-Site (SF Bay Area)https://t.co/EaYTRxn9cD https://t.co/bFJiN3Si4I pic.twitter.com/Or93cAcQ10
— Luna (@Lunayian) October 21, 2024
What could we see? Facial expression detection opens up a whole new level of connection with avatars – image playing in a game where you can make eye contact with someone on the other side of the planet, with their speech matching your facial expressions and body language.
Mark Zuckerberg hinted at this in an Instagram post comparing Quest 3 to Apple Vision Pro.
It is combined with a company blog article that emphasizes how AI discoveries will allow the production of incredibly lifelike digital avatars.
If Quest 4 adds certain methods gained from the Meta Orion smart glasses, which included ‘electromyography (EMG) technology,’ body identification may improve.
This bracelet read nerve signals in the arm to understand gestures, which was far superior to using cameras to follow your hand.
So we may see small motions of your arms (without the need for a controller) informing your digital avatar or boosting navigation in apps and games. This seems like a simple win for Meta, and we’d be surprised if it wasn’t included.
Finally, building on the improved artificial intelligence performance of the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, we anticipate that the Quest 4 will find the right next-generation XR chip for even more impressive AI, which could result in more realistic graphics, smoother gameplay, and a more immersive VR experience.
Expected Meta Quest 4 Specs
Improved RAM, OLED Display
We expect Meta to expand on some of the features of its predecessor, the Quest 3, and take them to the next level.
To enhance energy economy, Meta may replace the Quest 3’s existing LCD display with an OLED display in the Quest 4. It is also rumored that the display resolution in Meta Quest 4 would be increased from 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye to about 2160 x 3840 pixels per eye.
We can also expect a longer battery life than the current 2-3 hours, as well as an increase in RAM to at least 16GB in the Meta Quest 4.
These are just a few specs for the Meta Quest 4. As more information arrives, we will have a clearer picture of what Quest 4 will offer.
Why Would I Get a Meta Quest 4?
If you enjoy VR gaming or utilize VR for work or artistic pursuits, the Meta Quest 4 could be a worthwhile upgrade. It is expected to have similar functionality to the Apple Vision Pro but at a substantially lesser price, so it may be worth considering.
With prospective features such as increased AI capabilities, advanced eye tracking, and hardware updates, the Meta Quest 4 will undoubtedly improve anyone’s VR experience — or be ideal for newbies.
Furthermore, with predicted improvements in battery life, consumers will be able to enjoy longer VR experiences without having to recharge as frequently.
Expected Meta Quest 4 Price
$500-$600
There is no official price tag yet, but given the Quest 3’s starting price of $499.99, expect the Quest 4 to be similarly priced or somewhat higher.
If Meta does produce two models, we may see a budget-friendly “S” version at or below this price point, as well as a higher-end “Pro” model.
However, if Meta is to bring AR and VR into the public, at least one model will have to be competitively priced.
The Bottom Line
Mixed reality headsets have grown in popularity in recent years, but they have reached new heights since the arrival of Apple Vision Pro earlier this year.
Given the hype around Vision Pro, Meta is likely to threaten Apple’s prospective leadership in the sector. To accomplish this, they will need to go above and beyond what they provided to their clients in Meta Quest 3 to create a better version.
While a release date has yet to be announced, speculation and industry trends point to a powerful VR headset with enormous potential. From next-generation computing for smoother experiences to ultra-sharp displays for improved visuals and AI capabilities, the Quest 4 could be just what needs to send Apple back to the VR laboratories.
