- Meta is developing a new high-end VR headset, potentially a successor to the Quest Pro, after previously canceling multiple iterations.
- The company’s VR roadmap includes the Quest 4, set for 2026 with budget and premium models, alongside a separate high-end device.
- Previous high-end projects like La Jolla and Puffin have been canceled or restructured, raising questions about Meta’s long-term premium VR strategy.
Meta is once again developing a high-end virtual reality headset that could serve as a successor to the Quest Pro, according to recent reports. This comes after previous attempts to create a follow-up to the Quest Pro were canceled in recent years. The latest indication of this effort emerged in a report discussing Apple’s ongoing work on microLED displays for augmented reality glasses.
The company has been consistently working on future iterations of its VR hardware, with previous reports detailing the upcoming Quest 4, expected to launch in 2026. Meta reportedly plans to release two versions of the Quest 4: a budget-friendly model and a premium version, internally referred to as Pismo Low and Pismo High. However, the latest reference to a new high-end device has raised questions about whether this is a true Quest Pro successor or a separate project entirely.
Earlier reports had indicated that Meta planned to launch a new Quest Pro model in 2027, codenamed La Jolla, after the initial Quest Pro 2 project—originally set for a 2024 release—was scrapped. However, just a month after that revelation, it was reported that La Jolla had also been canceled in favor of a different headset, codenamed Puffin. This device is expected to feature an ultralight design and a tethered compute puck, representing a significant departure from the standalone nature of previous Quest Pro models.
The uncertainty surrounding Meta’s high-end VR plans has been further compounded by past statements from company executives. Meta’s chief technology officer previously acknowledged the cancellations and attributed them to a lackluster market response to the original Quest Pro. This has led to speculation about whether the company is reassessing its approach to premium VR hardware or if it is shifting focus toward a different category of devices altogether.
With conflicting reports and shifting development strategies, the nature of Meta’s latest high-end VR project remains unclear. Whether this new headset is a continuation of previous Quest Pro ambitions or a completely new initiative, the evolving landscape of VR technology suggests that Meta is still actively experimenting with different approaches. More details are expected to emerge as the company refines its roadmap for the future of virtual reality.
