Meta says new VR headsets will now wait for a major breakthrough
Quest sales fell last quarter, and Mark Zuckerberg says Meta will only ship new VR hardware when it has something big, so don't wait for a new Quest.
Read the story
Meta Quest 4Release Date, Price & Wait or Buy Quest 3
What will the Meta Quest 4 have?
Last updated
Meta Quest 3 launched in October 2023 and remains the benchmark for standalone mixed reality, combining full-color passthrough, the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, and a mature software library at a launch price of $499. The more affordable Quest 3S followed in October 2024 at $299, making it the easiest entry point into VR. Meta raised both prices in April 2026, to $599.99 and $349.99.
Latest on Meta Quest 4
More news- Meta and ESPN stream live college football to Quest in 180 degrees from October 10
Texas vs. Oklahoma opens a weekly run of 180-degree games in Quest's TV app, with a week of replays after each and the playoff to follow.
Read the story - Beat Saber Flux lets you play with bare hands next spring
Meta's Flux update swaps sabers and blocks for hand-tracked punches and a palm-to-palm tether, with 35 songs and Touch controller support, due spring 2027 on Quest and Meta VR Glasses.
Read the story
Rumors
See everything we're expecting- Quest 4 is reportedly being built as a gaming headset
Meta's own Horizon OS and Metaverse leads call it a large upgrade over Quest 3.
Reported
ReportedA credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
72% track record
72% track record
Similar reports have held up 72% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 72% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Independent sources
- UploadVR
Outlets
3
How strongly each outlet put it
- Quest 4 is expected no earlier than 2027, behind the Puffin headset
Puffin comes first. UploadVR says the next regular Quest most likely comes in 2027.
Reported
ReportedA credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
60% track record
60% track record
Similar reports have held up 60% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 60% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Independent sources
- UploadVR
Outlets
2
How strongly each outlet put it
- Phoenix is expected to be unveiled at Connect on September 23
Reports point to a Phoenix reveal at Connect this week
Reported
ReportedA credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
72% track record
72% track record
Similar reports have held up 72% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 72% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Outlets
1
How strongly each outlet put it
Comparison
Compare headsetsHow it compares
Price
$599.99
The official list price to buy it.
Weight
515g
Grams on your head. Lower is lighter.
Price
Meta Quest 3$599.99
Meta Quest 3S$349.99
PlayStation VR2$399.99
Steam Frame$1,059
Meta VR Glasses$1,299.99Weight
Current list prices.
The headset as worn. The lighter segment is the puck, reported by Road to VR; Meta has not published its weight.On your headIn your pocket (reported)
Expected release date
An average of 802 days between updates.Meta Quest 4 release date
ShippedExpected
An average of 802 days between updates.
| Generation | On sale | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 2 | Oct 13, 2020 | 511 days since Meta Quest (1st generation) |
| Meta Quest 3 | Oct 10, 2023 | 1092 days |
| Meta Quest 3S | Oct 15, 2024 | Budget sibling, 371 days after Meta Quest 3 |
| Meta Quest 4 (expected) | 2027-2028 | expected |
Shows the latest 3 of 4 models. The first one shipped in 2019.
Show all 4 modelsShow fewer
| Generation | On sale | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 4 (expected) | 2027-2028 | expected |
| Meta Quest 3S | Oct 15, 2024 | Budget sibling, 371 days after Meta Quest 3 |
| Meta Quest 3 | Oct 10, 2023 | 1092 days |
| Meta Quest 2 | Oct 13, 2020 | 511 days |
| Meta Quest (1st generation) | May 21, 2019 | first |
Quick answers
All FAQsQuick answers
When does Meta Quest 4 come out?
Meta Quest 4 is expected no earlier than the second half of 2027, and possibly 2028. Meta has not announced a date. Reporting says Meta prioritized its ultralight headset, targeting the first half of 2027, and only began work on the traditional Quest 4 in late 2025.
Should I buy the Meta Quest 3 now or wait for the next one?
Wait for a better price. At $599 at Walmart, there is no reason to rush. It sold for $499 on Sept. 23, 2026. At about $573 or less, the answer turns to Good to buy. Meta Quest 4 is reported for 2027-2028. That is too far off to be a reason to wait. Price checked Oct. 30, 2026. See the full answer on the Meta Quest 3
What is Meta Puffin?
Puffin and Phoenix were reported codenames for Meta's lighter headset with a tethered compute puck. Meta announced it at Connect as Meta VR Glasses: about 100 grams, with a puck on an optical tether, on sale in spring 2027 for $1,299.99. It is five times lighter than Meta Quest 3. The next traditional all-in-one Quest has not been announced.
What you can buy today
Quest 4
Quest 4 is reportedly being built as a gaming headset
Meta's own Horizon OS and Metaverse leads call it a large upgrade over Quest 3.
Reported
Reported
A credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
72% track record
72% track record
Similar reports have held up 72% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 72% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Independent sources
- UploadVR
Outlets
3
How strongly each outlet put it
Quest 4 is expected no earlier than 2027, behind the Puffin headset
Puffin comes first. UploadVR says the next regular Quest most likely comes in 2027.
Reported
Reported
A credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
60% track record
60% track record
Similar reports have held up 60% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 60% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Independent sources
- UploadVR
Outlets
2
How strongly each outlet put it
The other headsets
The Information says Phoenix will show hologram-like calls built on Codec Avatars
A report says photorealistic avatar calls get a live Connect demo
Reported
Reported
A credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
72% track record
72% track record
Similar reports have held up 72% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 72% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Outlets
2
How strongly each outlet put it
Phoenix is expected to be unveiled at Connect on September 23
Reports point to a Phoenix reveal at Connect this week
Reported
Reported
A credible source reported this.
It isn't confirmed yet and may change.
72% track record
72% track record
Similar reports have held up 72% of the time in our historical data.
Based on how reporting on headsets has held up, across 39 settled reports.
This does not mean this claim has a 72% chance of happening.
How the reporting has spread
This started with independent reporting and was later carried by other outlets. Repeats don’t count as new independent sources.
Outlets
1
How strongly each outlet put it
Report record
- Dec 62025
- Jun 22025
- Jun 22025OtherOpenNo outcome yetMeta's next traditional-form-factor Quest was most likely not expected to ship until 2027.Sources: Unnamed source, UploadVRRecord
- Jun 22025OtherOpenNo outcome yetThe Quest 4 candidates codenamed Pismo Low and Pismo High had been canceled.Sources: Unnamed source, UploadVRRecord
- Jul 182024OtherOpenNo outcome yetThe premium Quest 4 variant was codenamed Pismo High.Sources: Unnamed source, UploadVRRecord
- Jul 182024OtherOpenNo outcome yetThe lower-cost Quest 4 variant was codenamed Pismo Low.Sources: Unnamed source, UploadVRRecord
- Jul 182024
- Jul 182024OtherOpenNo outcome yetMeta planned to release Quest 4 in 2026.Sources: Unnamed source, UploadVRRecord
Oct 13, 2020 · Went on sale
Quest 2 launches at $299
May 19, 2023 · First sign of it
Meta’s own Quest Store starts listing Quest 3 support
Jun 1, 2023 · Announced
Meta formally announces Quest 3 for the fall
Sep 27, 2023 · Price
Meta opens Quest 3 pre-orders and fixes launch pricing
Oct 10, 2023 · Went on sale
Quest 3 reaches customers
Oct 10, 2023 · Went on sale
Quest 3 launches with color MR at $499
Sep 2024 · Background
Orion AR prototype revealed
Sep 25, 2024 · Price
Meta drops the 128GB model and cuts 512GB to $500
Oct 15, 2024 · Went on sale
Quest 3S launches at $299
Jun 1, 2025 · Business move
Original 'Pismo Low/Pismo High' Quest 4 project shelved; work rebooted under codename 'Griffin'
VR.org (2026-07-16): "The prototypes known internally as Pismo Low and Pismo High were scrapped, and the traditional Quest 4 effort was rebooted under a new codename, Griffin." The Gadgeteer (2026-05-21) corroborates the Pismo cancellation but never uses "Griffin". Timing (~mid-2025) is from UploadVR's 2025-12-06 report, which places the cancellation about six months earlier; no source gives an exact date.
Dec 6, 2025 · Delayed
Meta delays its ultralight 'Puffin'/'Phoenix' headset to the first half of 2027
2026 · First sign of it
Puffin, lighter headset in development
Jan 14, 2026 · Business move
Meta cuts ~10% of Reality Labs staff
Jan 28, 2026 · Business move
Reality Labs posts $6.2B quarterly operating loss
Apr 16, 2026 · Price
Meta raises Quest 3 to $599.99
Apr 19, 2026 · Business move
Meta raises Quest 3 and Quest 3S prices ($299.99->$349.99, $399.99->$449.99, $499.99->$599.99), citing the global memory chip crisis
Reveal to on sale
How long after the reveal can you actually buy one?
Meta Quest (1st gen)237 days
Meta Quest 227 days
Meta Quest 3131 days
Meta Quest 3S20 days
Meta Quest 4? on-sale date not reported
The gap has ranged from 20 days (Meta Quest 3S) to 237 days (Meta Quest (1st generation)).
At a glance
THIS PRODUCTMeta Quest 4
COMPARE WITHMeta Quest 3SField of view
Display size and type affect what you can see and how the product feels to use.
Not announced
Hand tracking
Taps, head nods, eye and hand tracking suit very different situations.
Expected carryoverunconfirmed
Technical specs⌄
Processor
The processor affects speed, efficiency and which features the device can support.
Not announced
Software
Software affects apps, updates and how well the device fits your other products.
Expected Horizon OSunconfirmed
Unknown
AI assistant
AI features vary from simple voice help to camera-based assistants.
Expected platform featureunconfirmed
Expected price: about $499
Our estimatePrice by generation
How the Meta Quest 4 line has been priced across generations.
Meta Quest 3S launched at $300. The reported Meta Quest 4 range starts $199 higher.
What you can buy today
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Meta Quest 4
Top questions
When does Meta Quest 4 come out?
Meta Quest 4 is expected no earlier than the second half of 2027, and possibly 2028. Meta has not announced a date. Reporting says Meta prioritized its ultralight headset, targeting the first half of 2027, and only began work on the traditional Quest 4 in late 2025.
Should I buy the Meta Quest 3 now or wait for the next one?
Wait for a better price. At $599 at Walmart, there is no reason to rush. It sold for $499 on Sept. 23, 2026. At about $573 or less, the answer turns to Good to buy. Meta Quest 4 is reported for 2027-2028. That is too far off to be a reason to wait. Price checked Oct. 30, 2026. See the full answer on the Meta Quest 3
What is Meta Puffin?
Puffin and Phoenix were reported codenames for Meta's lighter headset with a tethered compute puck. Meta announced it at Connect as Meta VR Glasses: about 100 grams, with a puck on an optical tether, on sale in spring 2027 for $1,299.99. It is five times lighter than Meta Quest 3. The next traditional all-in-one Quest has not been announced.
What is the difference between Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S?
Both Quest 3 and Quest 3S run Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. The 3S uses Fresnel lenses (like Quest 2) where Quest 3 has pancake lenses, so it is bulkier at the front. After Meta's price changes, the 3S starts at $349.99 and Quest 3 at $599.99.
Will Meta make a Quest Pro 2?
Unlikely. Quest Pro was discontinued after failing to resonate commercially. Meta appears to be prioritizing its ultralight headset, aimed at virtual screens and productivity, over a Pro-tier successor.
Using it
Can I control it with my hands and eyes?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it follows your hands but not your eyes. Gestures in front of the cameras; no eye tracking.
How heavy is it?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it weighs 515g.
Does it work with my phone?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: yes, it works with an iPhone or an Android phone.
How much storage does it have?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it comes with 512GB of storage.
How does it connect?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it connects over Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E.
What chip is inside?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it runs on Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2.
Which AI assistant does it use?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it uses Meta AI.
What software does it run?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it runs Meta Horizon OS.
How wide is the field of view?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it covers 110 degrees, horizontal. That is how much of your view the image fills.
What kind of screen is it?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: it is an LCD screen. The panel is backlit rather than lit by the pixels themselves.
Can I see the room around me?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: yes, you see the room in colour. Cameras show you the room, so you can stay in it while wearing this.
Sizing and fit
What sizes does it come in?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: storage: 128GB / 512GB.
Battery and charging
Does it charge over USB-C?
Not confirmed for the Meta Quest 4. For comparison, the current Meta Quest 3: yes, it charges over USB-C.
Meta says new VR headsets will now wait for a major breakthrough
Quest sales fell last quarter, and Mark Zuckerberg says Meta will only ship new VR hardware when it has something big, so don't wait for a new Quest.
Meta and ESPN stream live college football to Quest in 180 degrees from October 10
Texas vs. Oklahoma opens a weekly run of 180-degree games in Quest's TV app, with a week of replays after each and the playoff to follow.
Beat Saber Flux lets you play with bare hands next spring
Meta's Flux update swaps sabers and blocks for hand-tracked punches and a palm-to-palm tether, with 35 songs and Touch controller support, due spring 2027 on Quest and Meta VR Glasses.
Meta Connect 2026: $1,299 VR Glasses, a camera-free Ray-Ban and a $449 Gen 3
Only the Gen 3 Ray-Ban Meta is on sale today. The camera-free pair ships in three weeks, and the VR Glasses make you wait until spring.
New images of Meta's Phoenix headset reveal a cable and sensors
The slim headset carries sensors on the side and underside of its temples, and a cable runs to a separate compute unit.
Quest 3 Gets 207Hz And Almost Nothing Uses It
Meta unlocked refresh rates it never advertised on the Quest 3. Almost nothing running on the headset can use them.
DirecTV Just Made the First Real Cable Deal in VR
DirecTV is the first traditional pay-TV provider to ship a native app on any consumer VR headset. It picked Meta Quest, not Vision Pro.