Meta has reportedly scrapped three different Quest Pro 2 prototypes. Now, there’s no clear indication of when the next Quest Pro headset might be released. What went wrong?
Recently, The Information reported that the Meta Quest Pro 2 was set for release in 2027. However, the project has since been canceled, a move confirmed by Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, who referred to it as scrapping just one prototype.
Meta canceling works on the Quest Pro prototypes is not new – we’ve seen many shifts in the tracks Meta may want the Quest Pro line to go. However, as Bosworth described many times, Meta has a lot of Quest Pro 2 prototype headsets in the works simultaneously, before deciding which product has the best chance to go to the mass market as a valid product.
The first product we heard about was “La Jolla,” a high-end VR/AR headset from Meta that Alex Heath from The Verge initially reported on. He mentioned that this device was slated for release “way out in the future,” and we now know it was a Quest Pro 2 planned for 2027, which has since been canceled.
Before that, Meta had planned to release a Quest Pro 2 in 2024, which was canceled in favor of a more advanced model slated for 2027 – only for that, too, to be canceled. There were also reports of a collaboration between Meta and LG Electronics to develop high-end Quest Pro headsets, with LG leveraging its hardware expertise. However, this partnership was also ultimately canceled.
What does this mean for the industry?
So there we are, with no Quest Pro 2 on the horizon. The report highlighting the cancellation of 2027’s Quest Pro 2, also reveals that Meta plans to incorporate its “display and eye-tracking features” into unspecified “future devices,” suggesting a shift in focus toward more affordable options like the baseline and low-end Quest lineup.
I believe Meta will focus on integrating the latest technologies into affordable consumer products, while third-party vendors like Asus or Lenovo will develop their own high-end Mixed Reality headsets using Meta Horizon OS. This approach actually makes sense.
Take a look at this chart – It’s an infographic detailing the rumored headsets, their expected release dates, and estimated prices.
The next headsets we’re likely to see from Meta are the Quest 4 and Quest 4s, expected in 2026, according to The Information. Meta appears to believe the high-end XR market is still unproven, so they might allow third-party vendors, who are licensing their OS, to explore it first. Meta will most likely also keep an eye on how high-end options like the more affordable Apple Vision and upcoming Google & Samsung headsets perform in the $1,000-$2,000 price range.
Meta likely aims to refine its ecosystem and UI/UX with lower-end Quest models and third-party headsets that use Horizon OS. The company may also prefer to stay in the $300-$1,000 price range, focusing on research and waiting for high-end XR technology to mature. This approach could eventually lead to a $1,000 Quest Pro 2 with a Vision Pro-like experience.
Meta’s focus on gaming for the Quest isn’t misguided; rather, they are gradually evolving the device into a robust productivity tool through updates. Recent multitasking features, Mixed Reality enhancements, and SDK improvements indicate that Meta is strategically attracting developers to a platform with growing demand. Meanwhile, competitors struggle to attract developers for $1,500-$3,500 headsets with limited consumer bases.
