Meta has lifted the lid on arguably its most feverishly-awaited new technology, unveiling the Meta Quest Pro. Described as the company‘s ‘most advanced VR headset to date’, the new addition takes a decidedly more work-focused approach to augmented and virtual reality, however, it does come at a price. Quite a price, in fact. The new Meta Quest Pro is listed at USD$1,499, almost three times that of the Quest 2. So, with a high-end price tag worthy of the Big Zuck himself, is the new Meta Quest Pro worth the hype?
RELATED: Zuckerberg Opens First Meta Retail Store with Virtual Reality Gaming Demos
Meta Quest Pro VR headset | Image: Meta
Meta Quest Pro Features
Unveiled at the company’s annual Connect conference, the new Meta Quest Pro marks a renewed focus on VR development for Zuckerberg’s clan. Over the past few years, the company has invested billions into its Reality Labs unit, however, it has yet to deliver the kind of return Meta would be hoping for. In fact, last year, the Reality Labs division lost a whopping USD$10.2 billion, with initial reports suggesting the arm cost Meta a further USD$2.8 billion in Q2 of 2022. Unveiling a new iteration of its flagship device is one way to reignite fans’ interest in the technology and it must be said, Meta’s latest venture is heading off the beaten track.
Where in the past, the mixed-reality headset has been touted as the next generation of gaming technology, this time around, Meta is plugging its hybrid work functionality, looking to gain a new legion of office adopters and remote workers. The marketing campaign imagery leans very heavily into the concept of all-day wearing, showing several workers using the headset to create, develop and manage multiple workflows across several different monitors at once. It seems like a far stretch to suggest that workers will want to dive head-first, quite literally, into their work, however, it could be a sign of where things are going. After all, no one could have predicted the mass adoption of Zoom that characterised much of the last two years.
Meta Quest Pro VR headset | Image: Meta
More specifically, the new Meta Quest Pro plans on achieving its mixed-use goals through a number of key additions, the most poignant of which being the new lens development. For this iteration, Meta has significantly upgraded the lens design, allowing passthrough cameras to enable users to see the world in their peripheral vision, as opposed to the fully immersive vision that Quest 2 offered. As a result, Pro users now no longer need to remove the headset to complete daily tasks, however, it remains to be seen just how effective that implementation actually is.
On the other side of the lens, Quest Pro has streamlined the multitasking component, allowing multiple screens to be open at the same time. This enables users to view screens side by side or switch between, not unlike using a tablet or laptop computer. However, for those looking to enjoy the more traditional VR experience, there is the option of adding light blockers to the sides of the headset.
Meta Quest Pro VR headset | Image: Meta
Work-Focus
Heading back down the work-focused path, it’s easy to see where Meta has made improvements. The brand is working on refining its social presence, introducing more advanced eye tracking and natural facial expressions for its avatars.
“Whether you’re working in a virtual office in Meta Horizon Workroomsor hanging out with friends and family you can’t otherwise see in person, it’s important to have avatars that not only look like you, but can move and express themselves like you would in real life,” Meta said. “With eye tracking and Natural Facial Expressions, Meta Quest Pro brings us a step closer to showing your authentic self in the metaverse. You’ll be able to make lasting memories in multiplayer apps like Wooorld, which makes it possible to take virtual trips across the globe, exploring 3D maps and 360° images with friends and family.”
Meta Quest Pro VR headset | Image: Meta
Power
In terms of the actual functionality of the new device, the major upgrade comes by way of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ platform, which Meta says is optimised for VR at 50 per cent more power than the Quest 2. Enhancements to the thermal dissipation are set to deliver better performance, while each device brings with it a solid 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
“Meta Quest Pro also has 37 per cent more pixels per inch and 10 per cent greater pixels per degree than MetaQuest 2, making everything from reading text to playing games look better,” the company wrote. “Additionally, there’s a 25 per cent improvement in full-field visual sharpness in the centre view, 50 per cent improvement in the peripheral region, and 1.3X larger colour gamut than Meta Quest 2.”
One handy update this time around involves more streamlined app integration, particularly across productivity tools like Immersed and design offerings such as Arkio. According to Meta, the new Presence Platform’s Scene understanding and Shared Spatial Anchors allow developers to build virtual objects that interact with the physical world around them. It’s hard to tell just how advanced this technology is at the moment, however, it does set things up for greater advancements in the future.
Meta Quest Pro VR headset | Image: Meta
Meta Quest Pro Design
Design-wise, the new Quest Pro is sleeker and more premium-looking than its predecessors, which is a good thing. The past Quest options felt futuristic for the sake of being futuristic, while the new addition arrives with a far more nuanced finish. Meta describes the new Quest Pro as “the slimmest and most balanced VR device we’ve ever made” and looking at the first official images, it’s hard to disagree.
Quest Pro features a continuous lens spacing adjustment mechanism, which Meta says will accommodate inter-pupillary distances between 55mm and 75mm, and also comes with the option to adjust lens distance from your eyes.
Meta Quest Pro VR headset | Image: Meta
Meta Quest Pro Price & Release Date
Meta Quest Pro will be available for purchase on October 25 for USD$1,499.99. The brand has confirmed that the price includes the headset, Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers, stylus tips, partial light blockers, and a charging dock. You can pre-order Meta Quest Pro from the Meta Store starting October 11 in any country where Meta Quest products are supported, and from select retail partners across the world.
Meta Quest Pro Technical Specs
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 5G |
|---|---|
| Display resolution | 1800 x 1920 pixels per eye |
| Lenses | Dual Tianjin-3 QLED panels |
| Storage | 256GB |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Refresh Rate | Maximum 90Hz |
| IPD Range | 55-75mm with continuous IPD adjustment |
| Tracking | 10 sensors plus an IR depth projector for mixed-reality |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
General FAQs
Revealed on October 11, at the company’s annual Connect conference, the Meta Quest pro will official release in stores on October 25.
Meta has confirmed the Meta Quest Pro VR headset will retail for USD$1,499 when it is released on October 25.
