Meta Quest Pro didn’t quite capture the prosumer market as anticipated, leading to the company’s decision to phase out this mixed reality headset just over two years since its launch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Meta isn’t just focusing on developing the Quest 3 for consumers but is also eyeing a “high-end” model that could potentially step into the Quest Pro’s shoes.
In his weekly roundup, Gurman touches on a diverse array of XR updates. Among them, the possibility of Meta integrating a display in its next iteration of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses stands out. Meanwhile, he also highlights reports about Apple scaling back production of the Vision Pro due to waning interest in the $3,500 device.
Relying on inside information, Gurman shares that Meta is not only crafting the Quest 4 VR goggles but is also in the design stages of a new top-tier model that might eventually serve as a successor to the Quest Pro mixed-reality headset.
The launch of Quest Pro in late 2022 marked a notable shift from Meta’s lineup of standalone headsets, which typically hovered around a $300 price point.
Initially introduced at $1,500, the Quest Pro set itself apart with features like color passthrough, cutting-edge pancake lenses, and advanced face and eye-tracking. Yet, less than half a year later, Meta slashed its price to $1,000 in a bid to win over more prosumers.
Fast forward to July 2023, when The Information published a claim about Meta halting the Quest Pro line entirely. This assertion was swiftly countered by Meta’s CTO and Reality Labs chief, Andrew Bosworth, who advised people to be skeptical of such reports.
Further insights from The Information in July 2024 disclosed that Meta was pivoting its ‘Pro’ pursuits towards crafting a more compact mixed reality gadget, reminiscent of “a bulky pair of glasses,” with the code name ‘Puffin’ and a projected release in 2027. Alongside this, Meta has indicated aspirations to unveil AR glasses by 2030, mirroring the functionality of its Orion AR glasses prototype.
Soon after, another report by The Information hinted that a Quest Pro 2 prototype, codenamed ‘La Jolla’, had been shelved. Bosworth later confirmed La Jolla’s cancellation and verified ongoing work on Puffin, although he refrained from detailing whether Meta planned to permanently exit the Quest Pro venture.
Meta’s evolving strategy includes launching and sometimes halting prototypes, a method Bosworth has characterized as prioritizing discovery over instant market success. This fluid progression makes it challenging to ascertain if perceived pauses or discontinuations are simply intermediate steps or conclusive points.
In addressing rumors about the termination of the Quest Pro line, Bosworth ambiguously stated, “there might be a Quest Pro 2, there might not be. I’m not really telling you, but I will say don’t believe everything you read about what’s been stopped or started.”
