While the Meta Quest 3 continues to dominate the consumer VR market, attention is already shifting toward its successor: the Meta Quest 4. Although Meta remains silent, recent leaks and reports paint a compelling picture of a headset with much bigger ambitions. Dual models, eye tracking, a new processor, here’s what the rumors suggest about Meta’s next big move in virtual reality.
Release Delayed to 2026 (or Later)
Contrary to early expectations, the Meta Quest 4 won’t launch in 2025. That’s now almost certain. Multiple industry sources, including The Information and The Verge, report that Meta has postponed its roadmap to focus on other strategic priorities.
Historically, Meta’s headset release cycle followed a three-year pattern (Quest 2 in 2020, Quest 3 in 2023), making a 2025 release for the Quest 4 seem likely. But that cycle appears broken. Meta has reportedly paused some design work on the Quest 4 to accelerate another internal project: a lightweight, glasses-style headset code-named Puffin.
This new device, more compact and focused on mixed reality, would represent a technological shift from Meta’s current headsets. It aims to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro—but in a more affordable and portable form. As a result, the Quest 4, originally meant to expand on the Quest 3’s legacy, has taken a back seat.
According to the most credible rumors, the Quest 4—in both its Pismo Low and Pismo High versions—is now expected sometime around late 2026 at the earliest. This delay would give Meta time to finalize the XR3 Gen 3 chipset, optimize production costs, and better position the device in a rapidly evolving XR landscape.
This strategic shift shows that Meta is no longer focused on releasing headsets on a fixed schedule, but rather on aligning products with major platform and usage shifts, particularly around the Horizon OS ecosystem and the rise of lightweight immersive experiences.
Two Distinct Models in Development
According to multiple consistent industry sources, Meta isn’t betting on a single headset to succeed the Quest 3, but rather on a dual-model strategy. Two versions are currently in development, code-named Pismo Low and Pismo High, expected to launch as the Meta Quest 4S and Meta Quest 4 respectively.
This approach is designed to segment the market:
- Quest 4S (Pismo Low) is expected to be a more affordable model, likely priced between $300 and $400. It would retain some current components like LCD screens and Fresnel lenses, and omit eye tracking and other advanced sensors to keep costs down. This version is targeted at casual users, gamers, and households.
- Quest 4 (Pismo High), on the other hand, is clearly aimed at the premium segment. Expected to be priced between $500 and $600, possibly more, it would include major upgrades: OLED or mini-LED display, ultra-thin pancake lenses, integrated eye and facial tracking, and a new Snapdragon XR3 chip. This headset would emphasize visual fidelity, realistic avatars, and deeper immersion for productivity and social use cases.
Major Technical Upgrades (Premium Version)
The Meta Quest 4, in its high-end version (Pismo High), promises a significant leap forward across all technical fronts. Meta’s goal is clear: to deliver a standalone headset that can compete with the most advanced offerings on the market while staying accessible to mainstream users.
Here are the key improvements cited in the most reliable leaks:
Improved Computing Power
The Quest 4 is expected to feature the new Snapdragon XR3 Gen 3 chipset, developed in partnership with Qualcomm. This processor would significantly boost graphical performance, reduce latency, and improve energy efficiency. Paired with 12 GB of RAM (or more) and up to 512 GB of storage, it would offer a strong foundation for demanding experiences, from AAA gaming to XR productivity.
Integrated Eye and Facial Tracking
The Quest 4 would include eye tracking and facial tracking (capturing facial expressions). These features would allow for:
- Foveated rendering that focuses graphics processing only where the user is looking.
- More expressive and believable avatars in the metaverse.
- More intuitive interface controls driven by gaze and facial gestures.
These capabilities were first introduced in the Meta Quest Pro, but bringing them to a more affordable headset would mark a step toward mainstream adoption.
High-Resolution OLED or Mini-LED Display
The Quest 4 would replace the LCD screens used in the Quest 3 with a high-resolution OLED or mini-LED display, aiming for near-retina pixel density. The goal: sharper visuals, deeper contrast, true blacks, and better text clarity—while reducing the screen-door effect.
Pancake Lenses and Redesigned Comfort
Like the Quest 3, the Quest 4 will use pancake lenses, but in a slimmer version. This would allow for a more compact and lighter design, improving comfort for longer sessions. A new halo-style head strap, inspired by the Quest Pro, is also rumored for enhanced stability.
Improved Mixed Reality and Spatial Audio
The headset would feature high-fidelity color passthrough, crucial for mixed reality (MR) applications. Spatial audio would also be enhanced for a more immersive sound experience—without the need for external headphones.
Estimated Pricing
Meta appears to be pursuing an aggressive pricing strategy to maintain its VR dominance while segmenting its product line. The two Quest 4 models are expected to differ clearly in pricing.
- Quest 4S (Pismo Low): This model is expected to be priced between $300 and $400, positioned as a successor to the Quest 3S or a premium entry-level headset. It would use more cost-effective components—such as Fresnel lenses and no eye tracking—while remaining compatible with Meta’s app and game ecosystem.
- Quest 4 (Pismo High): The premium version is projected to cost between $500 and $600, or slightly more depending on final specs. This would be justified by advanced features like OLED/mini-LED display, eye tracking, XR3 chipset, and higher RAM—still far below ultra-premium options like Apple’s Vision Pro.
Integration Into a New Ecosystem
Beyond the hardware, Meta is planning a deeper strategic shift: turning the Quest 4 into a core component of an open and interconnected platform. The launch of Meta Horizon OS for third-party partners like Lenovo, Asus, and Microsoft signals a major change. Meta no longer wants to just sell headsets—it aims to deliver a complete XR ecosystem, much like Android did for smartphones.
This means the Quest 4 will exist in an environment where multiple brands can build compatible devices using the same software stack, app store, and potentially shared MR interfaces.
In this context, the Quest 4 won’t just be another product—it will serve as a flagship showcase for attracting developers, content creators, and industry partners into Meta’s XR vision. The focus is no longer just on hardware sales, but on controlling the immersive OS layer at scale.
