The report from the highly reliable outlet, The Information, states that the Quest 4 and Quest 4s are set to release in 2026, with the Quest Pro 2 following in 2027
This latest report comes from Wayne Ma and Kalley Huang, who have been accurate with their predictions and leaks in the past. According to the article, Meta plans to release two variants of the Quest 4 in 2026: the Baseline Quest 4 and the Quest 4s, codenamed Pismo High and Pismo Low. This approach is similar to Meta’s current plans for the Quest 3.
Countless leaks suggest that Meta plans to release the Meta Quest 3s, a cheaper and less advanced version of the Quest 3, at this year’s Meta Connect. If these leaks are accurate, the Quest 3s will debut one year after the Quest 3. Rumors from Wayne Ma indicate that Meta aims to release both headsets simultaneously, possibly reflecting the company’s shift toward maintaining a consistent release schedule for headset variants.
Interestingly, Meta appears to be maintaining a three-year cycle for its base Quest headset line, with the Quest 2 released in 2020, the Quest 3 in 2023, and the Quest 4 expected in 2026. Predicting releases even further in the future is difficult though, as technological advancements could prompt Meta to accelerate its headset release schedule.
Meta Quest Pro 2 in 2027
The report also indicates that Meta plans to release the Quest Pro 2, an Apple Vision Pro competitor, in 2027. The Quest Pro 2, codenamed La Jolla, is particularly intriguing due to the seemingly contradictory reports we have seen about this headset.
“La Jolla” was first mentioned by Alex Heath on The Verge, who leaked Meta’s internal roadmap presentation outlining devices planned until 2027, including the Quest 3 and Quest 3s. Heath noted that Meta had canceled work on the different Quest Pro 2 headset set to release in 2024, in favor of a “more advanced” device planned for the distant future. This headset is also expected to feature Meta’s Codec Avatars.
Codec Avatars represent one of the most promising technologies expected to emerge in the VR/AR space in the coming years, or perhaps even decades. These avatars serve as highly realistic virtual representations of people, distinguishing themselves from the more cartoony avatars currently used by Meta. In fact, they have the potential to achieve a level of hyperrealism that successfully overcomes the uncanny valley, a challenge that has haunted similar technologies in the past.
However, Meta was also collaborating with LG on developing the next Quest Pro headsets. In February, The Korea Economic Daily reported that Mark Zuckerberg was set to meet with the CEO of LG Electronics to discuss creating a Quest Pro 2 headset using LG’s webOS, potentially granting access to all streaming services. This headset is expected to ship in Q1 2025.
However, just a few months later, the same news outlet reported that the Meta/LG partnership had been completely terminated, with LG now seeking a new partner for the operating system and software for its upcoming XR devices. On the other hand, Korea JoongAng Daily reported that LG denied ending the partnership, stating that it is still ongoing but with LG “controlling its pace”.
While it’s still uncertain whether this deal will materialize, there’s a strong possibility that we will still see other, more premium headsets using Meta’s OS. Meta’s latest strategic move involves licensing its OS to third-party manufacturers, with Asus and Lenovo already confirmed. The industry is evolving rapidly, and even though we might have to wait until 2027 for the true Meta Quest Pro 2, it is likely to be a highly refined and top-tier device.
