Meta is introducing the first in a new line of high-end VR and mixed reality headsets starting with the Meta Quest Pro (which was previously demoed under its code name, Project Cambria). “Pro” tends to overused in the tech world, but Meta actually sees the Quest Pro being used by professionals, while the Quest 2 will stick around for casual gaming.
The Quest Pro is powered by the Snapdragon
XR2+ Gen 1, which Qualcomm unveiled today. It promises 50% higher sustained
performance than the XR2 inside the Quest 2 as well as a 30% improvement to
thermals. The new chip is paired with double the RAM, 12GB, and more storage
too, 256GB (up from 6/128GB for the Quest 2). The Pro replaces the Fresnel lens
with “pancake” optics, which reduce the depth of the device by 40% while
keeping the visuals tack sharp. According to Meta, the Pro improves sharpness
by 25% in the center view and by 50% in the peripheral vision. Speaking of, the
headset is designed to leave part of your peripheral vision uncovered so that
you remain aware of your surroundings. For an immersive VR experience, there
are partial light blocks included in the package.
The Quest Pro uses new displays too – two
LCDs with quantum dot tech and local dimming. Custom hardware controls the 500
backlight LEDs and combined with clever software it boosts contrast by 75%. The
new displays have 37% more pixels per inch and 10% more pixels per degree, they
also have a 30% wider color gamut.
The Pro is designed for mixed reality use
from the ground up. It has 10 cameras – 5 looking out and 5 looking in, each of
them a color camera with 4x the resolution of the Quest 2 (which used
monochrome cams). This enables more accurate scanning of your surroundings but
also full-color passthrough and eye and expression tracking (more on that in a
bit). With passthrough you can set up virtual monitors all around you while
having a clear view of your real-world keyboard and mouse. Another example use
case is allowing architecture designers to create 3D models and place them
around the room for a virtual preview of a redesign.
As for the cameras looking in, they track
your eyes and face so that your virtual avatar can mimic your expression. This
is turned off by default and the tracked data never leaves the headset. The
Meta Quest Pro brings new controllers, dubbed the Quest Touch Pro. They have
internal sensors that let them do their own tracking (previously that was the
headset’s job), so you can even use them behind your back. They have also been
redesigned to be more ergonomic and with better haptic feedback.
The standard retail package includes a
charging dock too (combined with a 45W USB-C adapter). This can charge the
headset and controllers simultaneously (the controllers now have rechargeable
batteries). The Meta Quest Pro will be available from October 25 for US$ 1,500,
nearly four times the price of the Quest 2. You can pre-order it from the Meta
Store in all countries where Quest products are sold. The headset will also be
available from Amazon in the US, UK, Canada and France. If you prefer brick and
mortar stores, you will be able to visit Best Buy in the US and Canada, Argos
and Currys in the UK, FNAC and Boulanger in France and pick one up.
By the way, the Quest Touch Pro
controllers are compatible with the Quest 2. They will be available as a
separate purchase for US$ 300 later this year.