A prominent VR insider has leaked major details about Meta's future hardware plans, suggesting a significant strategic shift that includes abandoning the beloved Quest brand for a new, high-end device launching as soon as next year.
If you’ve been waiting for a Quest 4, you might be waiting a little longer than expected. New reports indicate that Meta’s next major virtual reality headset won’t be a direct successor to the popular Quest 3 at all. Instead, the company is poised to take a bold new direction, focusing on a premium, standalone device that could redefine its place in the VR and mixed reality market.
The news comes from VR insider Nima Zeighami, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to share what he’s learned about the tech giant’s roadmap. The revelations paint a picture of a bifurcated strategy, aiming to capture both the mainstream and the high-end enthusiast segments.
The End of the Quest? A New Branding Era Begins
Perhaps the most startling claim is that Meta plans to sidestep the "Quest" name entirely for its upcoming flagship headset. Since the launch of the original Oculus Quest in 2019, the name has become synonymous with accessible, all-in-one VR. Moving away from it represents a major branding gamble.
Zeighami asserts that Meta will "finally adopt its branding in its entirety," suggesting the device will simply be a "Meta" headset. This move aligns with the company's broader effort to distance itself from the Oculus brand it retired years ago and present a unified corporate identity. For now, Zeighami and the community are referring to the device as "the next Meta headset."
Premium Price, Premium Specs: What to Expect from the Hardware
This rebranding comes with a significant price tag. According to the report, the new headset is expected to retail for around $800. In a surprising twist, Zeighami adds that this high price might not even include controllers, potentially offering them as a separate purchase.
So, what justifies the cost? The report suggests a substantial leap in core technology:
- Higher Resolution Displays: Expect a much sharper, more immersive visual experience that reduces the "screen door effect" and makes text more legible.
- Advanced Eye & Face Tracking: This is a game-changer for social presence in the metaverse. This technology allows avatars to mimic your real-life eye movements and facial expressions, creating more natural and empathetic interactions. It also enables advanced features like foveated rendering, which drastically improves performance by rendering only the area you're directly looking at in high detail.
- A Lighter, More Comfortable Design: Despite the upgraded tech, the headset is said to be lighter than the 515-gram Quest 3. This weight reduction may be achieved by offloading some processing or battery components to an external 'puck' accessory—a design choice that echoes some high-end PC VR headsets.
This latter point about the external puck and a sub-$1000 price aligns with a recent Wall Street Journal report, which was later detailed by UploadVR, discussing Meta's "Ultralight" prototype headset. You can read their in-depth coverage here.
A Two-Tiered Future: What This Means for the Quest Line
This leak clarifies Meta's apparent two-pronged approach to the market. The upcoming premium headset is positioned as a high-end device for enthusiasts and professionals, while the Quest 3 and the recently released, budget-friendly Quest 3S will hold down the mainstream and entry-level fronts.
For those wondering about a true next-generation sequel, Zeighami suggests that a "true Quest 4" is still in the cards, but likely not arriving until the year after the premium Meta headset debuts.
This strategy allows Meta to compete with other high-end headsets like Apple's Vision Pro without sacrificing the affordable, game-centric audience that made the Quest line a success. It’s a clear signal that Meta sees multiple distinct futures for VR: one for everyday gaming and entertainment, and another for advanced social interaction and productivity.
While Meta has not officially commented on these reports, the consistency across insider leaks and major publications lends them credibility. For now, VR enthusiasts have a lot to ponder—and save up for.
Looking for a more accessible entry into VR? The standard Quest 3S remains a fantastic option for getting started. Check out the latest price on Amazon here.
Higher resolution, eye / face tracking, and much smaller and lighter on your face with a separate puck, $800. And it won’t be called Quest.
— Nima Zeighami (@NimaZeighami) November 25, 2025
That’s the next Meta headset.
Not sure if the base SKU ships with controllers or not. https://t.co/urM4SBqRic