With the rapid evolution of virtual reality, Meta is pushing the boundaries of immersion with the Meta Quest Pro. Launched in October 2022, this headset stands out with its hybrid approach, combining virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR).
Positioned as a high-end solution, it integrates advanced technological innovations such as eye tracking, improved display, and new pancake optics for a more compact design. Unlike the Meta Quest 3, which targets the general public, the Quest Pro is designed for professional use, featuring tools tailored for collaboration and immersive productivity.
Despite these ambitions, the headset received mixed reviews. Its high price and limited adoption led Meta to halt its production as early as 2024, refocusing efforts on more accessible models. The Meta Quest Pro remains a milestone in Meta’s vision for the future of VR and mixed reality.
Design and Comfort
Design and comfort are key factors in a successful VR experience. With the Meta Quest Pro, Meta has taken a premium approach, redesigning the headset’s structure to offer better balance and prolonged immersion without fatigue.
A Compact and Ergonomic Design
The Meta Quest Pro features a thinner and more balanced design than its predecessor, thanks to the integration of pancake lenses, reducing the headset’s thickness by 40% compared to the Quest 2. This choice allows for better weight distribution, minimizing pressure on the front of the face. Unlike the Quest 2, which uses a rigid plastic headband, the Quest Pro features an adjustable rigid headband for improved support.
The materials also enhance its premium feel: soft foam padding and an adjustable fastening system ensure optimal comfort even during long sessions.
Comfort Designed for Extended Immersion
Meta has specifically focused on the ergonomics of the Quest Pro to prevent fatigue during prolonged use. The addition of thicker foam padding helps distribute pressure more evenly across the head. Additionally, the space around the eyes is designed to reduce compression effects, a common issue with other VR headsets.
However, some users have criticized one aspect: the lack of a fully sealed facial gasket. Unlike the Quest 2, which completely blocks external light, the Quest Pro has small side openings that allow partial visibility of the real environment. This design choice is intentional, as it enhances mixed reality experiences by maintaining a visual connection with the real world. However, it may reduce immersion for those seeking a fully enclosed VR experience.
A Well-Balanced but Heavier Headset
Weighing 722g, the Meta Quest Pro is heavier than the Quest 2 (503g). However, this difference is offset by a better weight distribution, with a rigid headband and rear-placed batteries, reducing pressure on the front of the face.
Display and Visual Experience
The visual experience is a fundamental aspect of VR immersion. The Meta Quest Pro introduces several technological improvements, including a quantum dot LCD display and pancake lenses, designed to provide a sharper image and a wider field of view.
A High-Resolution Screen for Sharper Images
The Meta Quest Pro is equipped with two quantum dot LCD screens, offering a resolution of 1800 × 1920 pixels per eye. This system provides better color accuracy and improved contrast compared to the Quest 2. Additionally, the local dimming technology enhances blacks and improves image depth, a crucial aspect for immersive experiences.
The refresh rate, ranging between 72Hz and 90Hz, ensures smooth motion, although some competing headsets reach higher frequencies (up to 120Hz on the PS VR2). Nevertheless, motion blur reduction and improved texture rendering contribute to a more natural and immersive experience.
Field of View and Optimized Optics
The new pancake lenses on the Quest Pro reduce the headset’s thickness and enhance image sharpness, particularly at the edges of the field of view. The FOV (Field of View) is estimated at around 106°, offering a more immersive vision than the Quest 2.
However, some users have noted a slight “halo effect” at the image’s periphery, which can be noticeable in high-contrast scenes. Despite this, the overall improvements contribute to a more detailed and comfortable visual experience for extended sessions.
Tracking and Interaction
Motion tracking and interaction with the environment are essential for a successful immersion. The Meta Quest Pro introduces innovative features, including eye tracking and facial expression tracking, enabling more natural and realistic interactions.
Eye and Face Tracking for More Expressive Avatars
One of the major innovations of the Quest Pro is its integrated eye and facial tracking. Using a series of infrared sensors, the headset can analyze eye movement and replicate facial expressions in a virtual environment. This technology significantly enhances social interaction in VR, particularly in collaborative applications like Horizon Workrooms.
Additionally, this feature allows for optimized rendering through foveated rendering, which improves image resolution exactly where the user is looking, reducing computational load.
Mixed Reality and Immersive Experience
Full-Color Pass-Through for More Natural Interaction
Unlike the Quest 2, which displayed a grainy black-and-white pass-through, the Quest Pro offers a full-color view of the real environment. Thanks to its high-resolution cameras, users can see their physical space without removing the headset, making it easier to integrate virtual elements into their real environment.
However, while the pass-through quality is improved, it remains inferior to a standard camera, with slight blurriness and imperfect contrast. This may limit certain applications requiring extreme precision, such as 3D design or industrial modeling.
An Immersive Experience for Professionals
With its new mixed reality capabilities, the Meta Quest Pro is aimed not only at gamers but also at professionals. Meta focuses on virtual collaboration, VR meetings, and immersive creative tools to position its headset as a tool for work and productivity. Applications like Workrooms or Gravity Sketch leverage these features to enable teamwork in a hybrid environment between the real and virtual worlds.
Performance and Technical Specifications
A More Powerful Processor for Enhanced Performance
The Meta Quest Pro is powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1, an upgraded version of the processor that previously powered the Quest 2. This chip delivers 50% more performance than its predecessor, allowing for more detailed graphics and better handling of VR environments.
With 12GB of RAM, compared to 6GB on the Quest 2, the headset can manage multiple applications simultaneously, facilitating multitasking and immersive collaborative experiences. This memory boost is especially beneficial for professionals using VR for design or teamwork.
Battery Life and Thermal Management
One of the most criticized aspects of the Quest Pro is its battery life, which does not exceed 2 hours under intensive use. To mitigate this issue, Meta has included a magnetic charging dock, enabling users to charge both the headset and controllers simultaneously.
The cooling system has also been improved with better thermal dissipation management, preventing the headset from overheating during extended use.
Application Library and Compatible Games
Compatible Games but Few Exclusives
The Meta Quest Pro is compatible with the entire Quest 2 catalog, including major titles like Beat Saber, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, and Superhot VR. However, it does not offer any major exclusives, which limits its appeal for players looking for unique content.
With Oculus Link and Air Link, the headset can also connect to a PC and access VR games from platforms like SteamVR and Oculus Rift, significantly expanding gaming possibilities.
A Headset Focused on Productivity and Collaboration
Where the Meta Quest Pro stands out is in professional applications. Meta highlights software like Workrooms, which allows teams to collaborate in virtual offices, and Gravity Sketch, a mixed reality modeling application.
The integration of Microsoft Teams and Windows 365 also showcases Meta’s ambition to position the Quest Pro as a productivity tool rather than just a gaming headset.
Price and Accessibility
The Meta Quest Pro targets a premium segment, with a price significantly higher than other standalone VR headsets on the market. This positioning has been a key factor in its limited adoption by the general public.
A High Price Leading to Limited Adoption
When it launched in October 2022, the Quest Pro was priced at €1,799, significantly higher than the Quest 2 (€349 at launch) and even the Quest 3 (€570 at launch in 2023).
This price is justified by the many integrated innovations, including eye tracking, high-resolution cameras for mixed reality, and a more compact design. However, the price was considered too high by many consumers, especially gamers, who did not see significant improvements over the Quest 2 for gaming.
Due to sales falling short of expectations, Meta reduced the Quest Pro’s price to €999 in March 2023, before announcing the end of its production in 2024. This decision reflects Meta’s shift in focus toward the Quest 3, which retains some of the Quest Pro’s features at a more affordable price.
Conclusion
The Meta Quest Pro was an ambitious technological advancement, integrating eye tracking, full-color mixed reality, and an optimized design. Designed for a hybrid use between gaming and productivity, it failed to find its audience due to its high price and lack of standout exclusives.
Due to disappointing sales, Meta discontinued production in 2024, refocusing its efforts on more accessible models like the Quest 3. Despite its commercial failure, it introduced innovations that will shape the future of VR.
If you’re wondering whether to go for the Meta Quest Pro or the Meta Quest 3, we’ve got a detailed comparison to help you decide!
The Quest Pro may not have revolutionized the market, but it has paved the way for the next generation of VR headsets.
