Meta Quest 4 Release: Everything We Know About the VR Headset

The launch of Meta Quest 3 and then Apple Vision Pro raised the bar of expectations for virtual reality lovers.

The Meta Quest 3, released in late 2023, is Meta’s most advanced VR headset to date, launched with great features such as its powerful processing speed, high-resolution displays, and sleek design.

But for the insatiable VR enthusiasts, the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next?

While the ink on the Meta Quest 3 user manuals is barely dry, rumors and predictions about the next iteration, Meta Quest 4, are already making the rounds.

Will it boast groundbreaking features that redefine VR experiences? Will it be lighter, have more AI capabilities, sleeker, and even more comfortable to wear for extended adventures in virtual landscapes?

This article is everything we currently know and can speculate on about the highly anticipated Meta Quest 4 headset.

What Is the Meta Quest 4?

The Meta Quest 4 is expected to succeed the Meta Quest 3 in the company’s VR headsets lineup. We anticipate key improvements from Quest 3, which are detailed below.

As with previous iterations, the Quest 4 will appeal to gamers, tech enthusiasts, and businesses that incorporate VR and simulation for meetings and training.

It will likely have a wide array of entertainment, social, and professional applications, placing it in competition with the Apple Vision Pro, albeit at a significantly lower price point.

When Is the Meta Quest 4 Released?

While there’s no official release date yet, we can use past release patterns from Meta to make some guesses.

Looking back, the Oculus Quest (later renamed Meta Quest) launched in 2019, followed by the Meta Quest 2 in 2020.

This swift 17-month gap between releases suggested a rapid development cycle. However, things slowed down a bit with the Meta Quest 3, which arrived in October 2023, a three-year gap from its predecessor.

This shift towards a longer release cycle could be due to several factors, including a global chip shortage that might have impacted development timelines.

Additionally, with the introduction of mixed reality features in the Quest 3, Meta might have needed more time to refine this new technology.

Based on this new three-year release window, Meta Quest 4 could arrive in late 2025 or early 2026.

Another possibility is that Meta might wait for Apple to release its Vision Pro 2, which is rumored to launch in 2026, before launching its Quest 4.

Meta may also consider launching the Quest 4 and the Quest 4S (the slimmed-down, cheaper model) simultaneously to attack both ends of the market. The two models are rumored to be in development under the codenames Prismo Low and Prismo High.

Rivalry between the two companies in the extended reality market has recently emerged, and we expect this to affect the release date for Meta Quest 4.

Expected Meta Quest 4 Features

The Meta Quest 4 is expected to push the boundaries of VR with even more AI features and add eye-tracking capabilities.

The Quest 2 had eye-tracking, but the feature was removed from the Quest 3. But based on trials held in October, Meta look to be testing both eye tracking and facial expressions.

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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 we could see? facial expression recognition leading to a whole new class of interaction with avatars — imagine playing in a game where you can make eye contact with someone on the other side of the world, with their voice aligning with facial expressions and body language.

Mark Zuckerberg himself also hinted at this in an Instagram video where he compared Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro.

It combines with a company blog post highlighting how breakthroughs in AI will enable the creation of highly realistic digital avatars.

If Quest 4 also incorporates some tricks learned from the Meta Orion smart glasses, which incorporated ‘electromyography (EMG) technology,’ body recognition may also get a boost.

This was a wristband that interpreted nerve signals in the arm to understand gestures — much better than relying on cameras tracking your hand.

So we could see subtle movements of your arms (no controller required) again informing your digital avatar or improving navigation in apps and games. This feels like an easy win for Meta, and we would be surprised if it were not included.

Lastly, building on the improved artificial intelligence performance of the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, we expect the Quest 4 to find the right next-gen XR chip for even more impressive AI, which could translate to more realistic graphics, smoother gameplay, and a better immersive VR experience.

Expected Meta Quest 4 Specs

We expect Meta to build on some of the specs of its predecessor, the Quest 3, and take them to the next level.

For instance, there is a chance Meta will ditch the current LCD Display on the Quest 3 for an OLED display in the Quest 4 to improve energy efficiency. It’s also been rumored that the display resolution in Meta Quest could be pushed from 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye to around 2160 x 3840 pixels per eye in the Meta Quest 4.

We can also look forward to improved battery life exceeding the current 2-3 hours and a bump 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’re a fan of VR gaming or use VR for work or creative projects, the Meta Quest 4 could be a good upgrade. It will likely have similar features as Apple Vision Pro yet with a significantly lower price, so it might be worth your consideration.

With potential features like improved AI capabilities, advanced eye tracking, and potential hardware upgrades, the Meta Quest 4 will likely enhance anyone’s VR experience — or be great for beginners.

Furthermore, with the expected improvements in battery life, users can enjoy longer VR sessions without the need for frequent recharge.

Expected Meta Quest 4 Price

There’s no official price tag yet, but considering the Quest 3’s starting price of $499.99, expect the Quest 4 to be similarly priced or slightly more expensive.

If Meta does release two models, we may see a budget-friendly “S” version at or below this price point and a “Pro” model in a higher category.

But regardless, if Meta wants to bring AR and VR into the mainstream, a competitive price for at least one model is certain.

Meta Quest 3 vs Quest 4: A Head-to-Head Comparison

While the Quest 4 isn’t here yet, you might be curious how the current champion, the Meta Quest 3, would stack up against a Quest 4. Let’s see how they compare in the table below:

The Bottom Line

Mixed reality headsets have gained some popularity in recent years, but they have taken on a whole new level since Apple Vision Pro launched early this year.

Given the fanfare that came with Vision Pro, Meta is likely poised to challenge Apple’s potential leadership in the space. To achieve this, they will have to go beyond what they offered their customers in Meta Quest 3 for a better version, which we expect to be the Meta Quest 4.

While the release date remains elusive, speculations and industry trends paint a picture of a powerful VR headset brimming with potential. From next-gen processing for smoother experiences to ultra-sharp displays for better visuals and AI capabilities, the Quest 4 could be what Meta needs to send Apple back to the VR labs.

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