Roadmap
Meta Quest 4
Updated June 20, 2026
Meta Quest 3 launched in October 2023 at $499 — a breakthrough moment for standalone mixed reality. For the first time you had a sub-$500 device with color passthrough MR, a full PC VR-capable chipset (Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2), and enough software to justify the price. The Quest 3S followed in October 2024 at $299 with pancake lenses, making it the best value entry into VR. Meta's headset strategy is bifurcating. Quest 4 (the mainstream $499 tier) is expected in 2027-2028 with better MR performance and next-gen Qualcomm silicon. Puffin — a lighter, more fashion-forward headset — may launch alongside as Meta tests whether there is a premium tier above Quest. The Orion AR glasses prototype (2024) shows where Meta ultimately wants to go, but the timeline to consumer AR glasses is years away. In the meantime, Quest remains the most consequential standalone headset platform in the world.
Expected
2027-2028
Confidence
Expected
Est. price
Unknown
Latest news
All in Tracker →Quick answers
When does Meta Quest 4 come out?
Meta Quest 4 is expected in 2027 or 2028. Meta has not announced a release date. The company typically refreshes its mainstream headset every 2-3 years: Quest 2 launched 2020, Quest 3 launched 2023, which suggests Quest 4 in 2026-2027. But Meta is also developing Puffin as a separate lighter headset, which may shift the timeline.
UploadVRWhat is Meta Puffin?
Puffin is an internal Meta codename for a lighter, more compact headset that is reportedly in development alongside Quest 4. Unlike Quest 4 which is expected to maintain the current Quest form factor, Puffin is designed to be significantly lighter and more comfortable. Meta may launch both, targeting different price and use-case tiers.
Road to VRShould I buy Quest 3 or wait for Quest 4?
Buy Quest 3S ($299) now if you want to get into VR. Quest 4 is 1-2 years away and the upgrade, while meaningful, will not make Quest 3S worthless. If you already own Quest 3, the case for waiting is stronger — Quest 4 will likely offer noticeably better mixed reality and resolution. Quest 3 owners can afford to be patient.
UploadVRBuy now or wait?
Quest 3 and Quest 3S remain excellent buys right now. Quest 4 is 1-2 years away and the upgrade will be meaningful — better MR, better resolution, faster chip — but not transformative. If you do not own a Quest, buy Quest 3S ($299) now. If you own Quest 3, wait for Quest 4 or Puffin. Quest Pro 2 is unlikely to return; the premium headset bet is Puffin now.
Meta Quest 3 vs. Meta Quest 4
Meta Quest 3
Available now · From $299
Meta Quest 4
2027-2028 · Price unknown
Price
~$499 (expected)
$499 (Quest 3) / $299 (Quest 3S)
Status
2027-2028 (expected)
Available now
Chip
Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 or later
Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Mixed reality
Improved color passthrough (expected)
Color passthrough MR
Display
Higher resolution (expected)
2064x2208 per eye (Quest 3)
Weight
Lighter (Puffin variant)
515g (Quest 3)
Field of view
Wider (expected)
110°H x 96°V (Quest 3)
PC VR
Yes (expected)
Yes (Air Link / USB-C)
Controllers
Touch Plus or successor
Touch Plus
Verdict
WAIT
BUY
Reported features
Quest 3S at $299 remains the buy recommendation until Quest 4 ships
Quest 3S launched October 2024 with XR2 Gen 2 and pancake lenses at $299 — the same core silicon as Quest 3 at $200 less. The best value in standalone VR today.
Orion AR glasses prototype (2024) is the long-term destination — but years from consumer launch
Meta revealed Orion at Connect 2024 as a true AR glasses prototype. It is not a consumer product. True AR glasses from Meta are 3-5+ years from retail at minimum.
Meta Quest 4 is expected in 2027 or 2028
No official announcement from Meta. The 2-3 year refresh pattern (Quest 2: 2020, Quest 3: 2023) puts Quest 4 in the 2026-2028 window.
Quest 4 will use Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 or a successor Qualcomm chip
Meta's headset line has tracked Qualcomm's XR chipset generations. XR2 Gen 2 powers Quest 3; XR2 Gen 3 is the likely successor for Quest 4.
Quest 4 will deliver meaningfully better mixed reality performance
MR passthrough quality is the primary competitive battleground. Meta will need to improve color accuracy, latency, and field of view to stay ahead of Apple Glasses.
Quest Pro 2 is unlikely — Puffin replaces the Pro concept
Quest Pro was discontinued after poor commercial reception at $1,499. Meta learned that productivity positioning did not resonate. Puffin takes a different approach: lighter and wearable, not feature-maxed.
Quest 4 expected to price at or below $499
Meta has historically maintained or reduced pricing on each Quest generation. Quest 4 is expected to continue this trend.
Puffin is a lighter, more compact headset in development alongside Quest 4
Puffin is reportedly a separate product from Quest 4 — lighter, more fashion-forward, potentially at a different price point. Meta may bifurcate the headset lineup.
Timeline
2027-2028
Quest 4 expected launch window
Meta Quest 4 is expected in 2027-2028 with Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 or later, improved MR performance, and higher resolution displays. Price expected near or below Quest 3's $499 launch price.
UploadVR2026
Puffin — lighter headset in development
Reports indicate Meta is developing "Puffin," a lighter, more compact headset targeting fashion-conscious users and longer wear sessions. May launch alongside or before Quest 4.
Road to VROctober 2024
Quest 3S launches at $299
Quest 3S arrived at $299 with pancake lenses and Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 — same core silicon as Quest 3 at $200 less. The best value entry into standalone VR.
UploadVRSeptember 2024
Orion AR prototype revealed
Meta revealed Orion — a true AR glasses prototype at Connect 2024. Not a consumer product. Groundbreaking silicon and waveguide tech, but years from retail. Showed where Meta's long-term headset roadmap leads.
Road to VROctober 2023
Quest 3 launches with color MR at $499
Meta Quest 3 launched at $499 with color passthrough mixed reality, Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, and pancake lenses. The first standalone headset with genuine color MR at a consumer price point.
UploadVROctober 2020
Quest 2 launches at $299
Meta Quest 2 (then Oculus Quest 2) launched at $299 — the moment standalone VR became mainstream. Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1, 90Hz display, 6DOF tracking. Went on to sell over 15 million units.
UploadVROutlook
What's next
Meta's headset business is healthy and growing. The bifurcation into Quest 4 (mainstream) and Puffin (lighter/premium) mirrors how smartphone makers manage product lines. The wilder bet is Orion — true AR glasses are the end game. But Orion is not a consumer product yet and may not be until 2027-2029. Quest 4 is the next concrete step: a better version of the best standalone headset on the market.
UploadVRRoad to VR