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The Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S continue to lead the standalone VR/MR market with excellent color passthrough, powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 performance, and a massive app ecosystem on Horizon OS. Yet, users keep asking about the Meta Quest 4 release date. Meta has stayed quiet on official plans. Credible leaks from UploadVR, The Information, and insiders like Brad Lynch reveal major roadmap shifts. Prototypes got canceled, and focus moved to new designs. This article covers the freshest rumors, why delays happened, and what comes next for Meta’s XR hardware.
Current Meta Quest Landscape in Late 2025
The Quest 3 (October 2023) delivers sharp pancake lenses, 2064×2208 resolution per eye, and reliable mixed reality. The Quest 3S (October 2024) starts at $299 and brings similar power to more people with Fresnel lenses. Meta dominates shipments, but faces growing competition from Apple’s Vision Pro lineup, Samsung’s Android XR efforts, and third-party Horizon OS devices from Asus and Lenovo coming soon. Reality Labs invests heavily despite losses, prioritizing comfort, all-day wear, and AI integration over quick spec bumps.
Meta’s Quest Release History and Patterns
Meta’s cadence has changed over time:
- Quest (May 2019)
- Quest 2 (October 2020) – fast 17-month follow-up
- Quest Pro (October 2022) – premium mid-cycle option
- Quest 3 (October 2023)
- Quest 3S (October 2024) – budget refresh
Major numbered jumps now take about three years. “S” models extend generations. This hinted at a 2026 Meta Quest 4 release date. But 2025 reports show Meta scrapped that timeline for bolder ideas.
Why the Traditional Meta Quest 4 Got Delayed
Mid-2025 leaks from UploadVR and others confirmed Meta canceled top Quest 4 candidates “Pismo Low” (budget) and “Pismo High” (premium), originally set for 2026 with better chips and eye tracking. Meta wants bigger leaps than small upgrades after Quest 3/3S success. Slowing Quest sales and booming Ray-Ban Meta glasses shifted resources. A direct Meta Quest 4 release date now points to 2027 or later.
Meet Puffin: Meta’s Big 2026 Headset Priority
Meta now targets “Puffin” (or “Loma”) for late 2026. This ultra-light MR headset weighs under 110 grams – like thick glasses. It uses an external compute puck (tethered or wireless) for power, battery, and heat. Puffin runs full Horizon OS, supports Quest apps, and emphasizes productivity, media, and all-day mixed reality.
Key rumored features:
- Micro-OLED displays for bright, high-contrast visuals
- Eye tracking and gaze-and-pinch controls (no controllers needed, but optional)
- Advanced hand tracking
- Premium pricing around $800-$1,200
Puffin targets Vision Pro users with lighter design and lower cost, focusing less on gaming.
What a 2027 Meta Quest 4 Could Bring
A classic standalone Meta Quest 4 should launch in 2027 with major upgrades:
- Next-gen Qualcomm chip or custom silicon
- Micro-OLED or mini-LED displays at 4K+ per eye
- Wider FOV over 110°
- Built-in eye/face tracking for foveated rendering and avatars
- Clearer passthrough cameras
- Longer battery life
- Possible standard and “S” models from $499
It will build on Puffin tech for the best gaming-focused standalone yet.
Third-Party Devices Bridging the Gap
Horizon OS opening to partners brings new options fast. Asus’s gaming headset with better cooling arrives late 2025 or early 2026. Lenovo focuses on work tools. More partners may join, giving upgrades without waiting for Meta’s first-party Quest 4.
Competition Heating Up the XR Space
Delays create openings for rivals:
- Samsung/Google Project Moohan (Android XR, 2025-2026)
- Valve’s Deckard/Steam Frame
- Cheaper Apple Vision models
Meta counters with open Horizon OS and diverse form factors from glasses to headsets.
Should You Buy Quest 3/3S or Wait?
Quest 3 and 3S get years of updates, new games, and features. If you want VR/MR now, buy today – especially at holiday discounts. Wait only if you need ultra-light all-day wear (Puffin) or massive gaming upgrades (Quest 4 in 2027).
Conclusion
The Meta Quest 4 release date most likely lands in 2027 after 2026 Pismo prototype cancellations. Meta prioritizes the innovative Puffin ultra-light puck-powered headset for late 2026 instead. This evolution keeps current Quest devices relevant longer while pushing XR toward comfortable, everyday use. The Horizon OS ecosystem grows stronger with partners, ensuring plenty of exciting hardware ahead.
FAQs
When is the Meta Quest 4 release date? Credible 2025 reports point to 2027 due to canceled prototypes and shifted priorities.
Will Meta release a new headset in 2026? Yes – the ultra-light “Puffin” with external compute puck targets late 2026, not a traditional Quest 4.
Is the Meta Quest 4 completely canceled? No, just delayed. A classic standalone successor is still planned for 2027 or later.
Should I buy Quest 3/3S now or wait for Quest 4? Buy now – the current generation has years of support, and Quest 4 is at least 18-24 months away.
What will the 2026 Puffin headset offer? Under 110g weight, micro-OLED displays, eye/hand tracking, productivity focus, and full Quest app compatibility via puck.
How much might Meta Quest 4 cost when it arrives? Expect $499-$599 starting, similar to Quest 3, with possible premium or budget variants.
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