Meta Quest 4: UPDATED Insights (2026 Release, Dual Models, Horizon OS & More)

Introduction

The virtual and mixed reality landscape is accelerating, and all eyes are on Meta’s next move after the successful launch of the Quest 3. While the Quest 3 continues to define the mainstream market, anticipation is building for its successor, tentatively known as the Meta Quest 4. Recent reports and strategic shifts from Meta paint a clearer picture than ever before, moving beyond early speculation. Building on the foundations of its predecessors, the Quest 4 generation is expected to introduce significant advancements, but within a rapidly evolving ecosystem.

As we look towards the future, don’t forget to explore the present! VRDB.app remains the most comprehensive database for Meta Quest games and applications. With over 8,500 titles from the Meta Quest Store and App Lab, VRDB offers advanced filtering, sorting, detailed game info, and up-to-date sales and release data – essential for navigating the vast library available today.

When Will Meta Quest 4 Be Released? A Shift to 2026

While earlier speculation pointed towards a potential late 2025 release, credible industry reports and insider leaks now strongly indicate a launch window in late 2026 for the Meta Quest 4 lineup. This aligns with Meta’s established three-year hardware cycle (Quest 2 in 2020, Quest 3 in 2023) and suggests Meta Connect 2026 as the likely reveal timeframe.

Crucially, this means no new flagship Quest headset is expected in 2025. This gives the Quest 3 and the recently launched budget-friendly Quest 3S more time in the market. Consumers considering a purchase soon should not hold their breath for a Quest 4 this year.

The Dual-Model Strategy: Quest 4 and Quest 4S (‘Pismo’)

A major shift from previous single-model launches (excluding the Pro line) is Meta’s reported plan to release two distinct Quest 4 models simultaneously in 2026. Leaks refer to these internally as ‘Pismo High’ and ‘Pismo Low’:

1. Meta Quest 4 (‘Pismo High’): This will be the true successor to the Quest 3, featuring the full suite of next-generation upgrades and targeting the premium consumer segment ($500+ price range).
2. Meta Quest 4S (‘Pismo Low’): This budget-focused model will likely succeed the Quest 3S, offering core next-gen performance but potentially scaling back on features like advanced sensors or display quality to hit a more accessible price point (likely $300-$400 range).

This simultaneous launch strategy allows Meta to address both the mass market and enthusiast users from day one of the new generation.

What We Expect from the Meta Quest 4 Generation?

Based on recent reports, leaks, and Meta’s strategic direction, here’s what we anticipate:

1. Enhanced Display and Visuals: Clarity is Key

A significant leap in visual fidelity is expected. While the Quest 3 offered a ~30% resolution increase over Quest 2 (2064x2208 per eye), the Quest 4 (premium model) is likely to push this considerably higher, potentially another 30-50%, aiming for near-“retina” clarity to improve text readability and overall immersion.

• Display Tech: The choice between advanced LCD/Mini-LED and OLED/Micro-OLED remains uncertain for the mainstream models. While OLED offers superior contrast and blacks, cost is a major factor. Meta might reserve OLED for a future high-end device or premium third-party Horizon OS headsets, opting for advanced LCD variants (like QD-LCD with local dimming) in the Quest 4/4S to balance cost and quality.
• Lenses: The slim pancake lenses introduced with Quest 3 are expected to return, at least in the premium Quest 4, enabling a thinner and potentially lighter profile. The budget Quest 4S might revert to Fresnel lenses to save costs.

2. Eye and Face Tracking: A Likely Return (for Premium)

One of the most significant upgrades anticipated for the premium Meta Quest 4 is the re-introduction of eye-tracking and potentially face-tracking.

• Evidence: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has explicitly stated the intention to bring these features back. Leaked focus group details for “Project Pismo” (Quest 4’s codename) sought testers for a device recording facial expressions and eye movements.
• Benefits:
  • Foveated Rendering: Eye-tracking allows the headset to render only the area the user is directly looking at in full resolution, drastically reducing GPU load. This enables higher graphical fidelity or smoother frame rates on mobile hardware.
  • Social Presence: Eye and face tracking drive more realistic avatars (like Meta’s Codec Avatars) with natural eye contact and expressions, significantly enhancing social VR experiences.
  • Intuitive UI: Gaze-based interaction becomes possible (look to select).
• Model Differentiation: It’s highly probable these sensors will be exclusive to the premium Quest 4 model, with the Quest 4S omitting them for cost savings.

3. Next-Level Mixed Reality

Building on the Quest 3’s color passthrough, the Quest 4 generation will further enhance mixed reality (MR) capabilities:

• Improved Passthrough: Expect higher-resolution, more color-accurate cameras for a clearer, more natural view of your real surroundings.
• Depth Sensing: A dedicated depth sensor (potentially omitted from Quest Pro but considered) could be included for more accurate room mapping, virtual object occlusion, and hand tracking.
• Body/Face Tracking Integration: Speculation includes downward-facing cameras (similar to Apple Vision Pro) that could potentially capture lower face expressions and contribute to inside-out body tracking, allowing for more realistic avatar movement without external sensors.

4. Design, Comfort, and Ergonomics

Meta understands comfort is crucial for extended VR use:

• Built-in Premium Strap?: The premium Quest 4 might finally include a more ergonomic, rigid halo-style strap out of the box, offering better weight distribution (potentially with a rear-mounted battery counterweight), similar to the optional Elite Strap. The Quest 4S would likely retain a simpler fabric strap.
• Weight & Profile: Continued use of pancake optics and general refinements should lead to a lighter and slimmer design compared to Quest 3.
• Refinements: Expect improvements in facial interface materials, ventilation, and possibly the IPD adjustment mechanism (perhaps automated via eye-tracking on the premium model).

5. Performance Boost: Snapdragon XR Gen 3 Power

The Quest 4 lineup will undoubtedly feature a next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon XR chipset, likely the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 or a similarly powerful successor. Meta has reaffirmed its partnership with Qualcomm, shelving earlier plans for fully custom chips.

• Expected Gains: This new chip should deliver substantial improvements in CPU and GPU performance (potentially leveraging powerful Oryon cores seen in PC chips), enhanced AI capabilities (for tracking, scene understanding), support for more RAM (potentially 12GB+ in premium models), and faster storage (UFS 4.0). This power is essential to drive higher-resolution displays and advanced tracking features.

6. Battery Life: Incremental Improvements Likely

While users always hope for longer battery life, significant breakthroughs are unlikely without compromising weight and comfort. Expect the Quest 4 generation to offer battery life similar to the Quest 3 (around 2-3 hours), with Meta focusing on power efficiency rather than drastically larger batteries.

How Much Will the Meta Quest 4 and 4S Cost?

Based on the dual-model strategy and current market positioning:

• Meta Quest 4 (Premium / ‘Pismo High’): Expected to launch in the $499 - $599 price range, similar to or slightly above the Quest 3’s launch price, reflecting the inclusion of advanced features like eye/face tracking and improved displays/comfort.
• Meta Quest 4S (Budget / ‘Pismo Low’): Aimed at the sub-$400 market, likely priced between $299 - $399, offering a more affordable entry point to the next generation by scaling back on premium features.

Note: Rumors of very high-priced ($2000+) “Quest Pro” style devices involving partnerships like LG seem less likely for the mainstream 2026 launch, given Meta’s recent focus on accessibility and the reported cancellation of the original Quest Pro 2 (‘La Jolla’) roadmap. While Meta is reportedly working on a new high-end device separate from the Quest 4 line, its pricing and timeline remain unclear.

Meta Horizon OS Takes Center Stage

Perhaps the biggest strategic shift impacting the Quest 4’s context is Meta’s decision (announced April 2024) to open up its operating system, now branded Meta Horizon OS, to third-party hardware manufacturers.

• Platform Play: Meta is transitioning from solely a hardware vendor to a platform provider, licensing its mature OS, tracking tech, passthrough capabilities, and app store (Meta Horizon Store) to other companies.
• Strategic Implications: This aims to rapidly expand the Horizon OS ecosystem, counter Google’s Android XR initiative, foster hardware diversity (specialized headsets), and increase software revenue.
• Key Partners:
  • Asus ROG: Developing a high-performance gaming headset running Horizon OS, potentially featuring premium specs (eye/face tracking, advanced displays) and launching as early as 2025. This could serve as a “pro” gaming option within the ecosystem.
  • Lenovo: Working on Horizon OS devices focused on productivity, learning, and entertainment.
  • Microsoft: Collaborating on a limited-edition Xbox-themed Quest.

The Quest 4 will launch into an ecosystem where Meta’s own hardware is just one part of a broader Horizon OS device family.

The Shifting Competitive Battlefield

The VR/MR market Quest 4 enters in 2026 will be significantly more competitive:

• Apple: Following the high-end Vision Pro, Apple is rumored to be working on a cheaper, lighter “Vision Air” model. Their strengths lie in ecosystem integration and display tech.
• Samsung & Google: A major challenger. Their collaboration on Android XR will power Samsung’s upcoming premium headset (‘Project Moohan’, expected 2025) featuring the powerful Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip. This directly competes for platform dominance.
• Valve: Rumored to be developing a standalone wireless headset (‘Deckard’), potentially launching late 2025/2026. Running SteamOS, it could offer deep integration with the vast Steam library for high-fidelity standalone gaming, likely at a premium price.
• Sony: Continues with PSVR2 for console VR (with upcoming PC support) and is developing a separate Android XR-based spatial content creation headset for professionals (due 2025).
• Others: Pico (ByteDance) remains a competitor, especially outside the US, though its future strategy is less clear. HTC continues with its Vive line and is also developing an XR2+ Gen 2 device.

Quest 4’s dual-model strategy appears designed to compete across price points in this crowded field, while Meta Horizon OS aims to build a broader platform defense.

Early Buzz: James Cameron Impressed

While public hands-on time is far off, acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron, collaborating with Meta, recently tried a next-generation prototype (likely related to Quest 4 development). His reaction was overwhelmingly positive, describing the experience like “a door opened… the heavens parted” and praising the technology as "very f*ing cool", suggesting the visual fidelity was groundbreaking enough to potentially showcase films as intended. This high praise from a visual pioneer hints at the significant leap in immersion Meta is aiming for.

Conclusion: A Major Leap in 2026

The Meta Quest 4 generation, now firmly targeting a late 2026 launch, represents a significant evolution rather than just an incremental update. The dual-model strategy (Quest 4 & Quest 4S) aims to capture both premium and budget segments simultaneously. Key advancements are expected in display resolution, processing power (Snapdragon XR Gen 3), mixed reality capabilities, and crucially, the likely return of eye and face tracking to the premium Quest 4 model.

However, the Quest 4 arrives within a transformed landscape defined by the strategic opening of Meta Horizon OS to partners like Asus and Lenovo, and intensified competition from giants like Apple, Google/Samsung, and potentially Valve. While official details remain under wraps, the Quest 4 generation promises a more immersive, powerful, and socially connected experience, solidifying Meta’s position while navigating a dynamic and expanding XR market.

Stay tuned for official announcements, likely starting with Meta Connect 2025 for ecosystem updates and Meta Connect 2026 for the hardware reveal!

In the meantime, keep exploring the vast world of VR content available right now on your current Quest! Visit VRDB.app to discover, filter, and track thousands of games and apps across the Meta Quest Store and App Lab. Stay informed with the latest releases and sales!

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