Meta has finally unveiled the Quest Pro, its high-end virtual reality (VR) headset and successor to the two year old Quest 2. As you may recall, the complete set of the new device was leaked in its full glory last month, though the leakster involved did not reveal much about its specifications.
Unlike its predecessor, the Meta Quest Pro is designed to expand possibilities of both VR and mixed reality, and it is also the first headset from the company that allows for full colour pass-through visuals. Meta, as most of us are aware by now, have been placing huge bets on the metaverse concept, envisioning a future where everything from work to social activities will be enhanced by both virtual and augmented reality. On that end, the company hopes that its devices, starting with the new Quest Pro, will function as the bridge between the user and the metaverse.
“We believe VR devices will help usher in the next computing platform — becoming as ubiquitous as laptops and tablets are today — and that people will use them in their everyday lives to access the metaverse,” Meta wrote on its Quest blog. “With its cutting-edge technologies, Meta Quest Pro represents an important step toward that future.”
Speaking of technologies, the new headset is the first device powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 platform, which is claimed to offer 50% more processing power when compared to the Quest 2. In addition, it also comes with “next generation optics” in the form of thin pancake lenses which reduces the size of the optical module by 40%, while still providing sharper images.
Meta adds that the device is capable of controlling more than 500 individual LED blocks independently which produces 75% more contrast, while at the same time providing 37% more pixels-per-inch and 10% more pixels-per-degree when compared to its predecessor. In further detail, each LCD display in the optical module offers 1800 x 1920 pixels per eye, 72 to 90 Hz refresh rate, as well as 106-degree horizontal and 96-degree vertical fields of view. Like its predecessor, it also features adjustable lens spacing and distance.
Besides that, the new Quest Pro comes with 10 advanced VR/MR sensors to support 6 degrees of freedom inside-out SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) tracking, as well as eyes, hands and face tracking capabilities. Other specifications include 12 GB of onboard RAM, 256 GB of internal storage, as well as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.
When not used independently, the headset can be used for PC-based VR through direct Link via USB-C, or wirelessly via the built-in Air Link function. It is also backwards compatible, meaning that you can boot up and play both games and apps that were previously released for the Quest and the Quest 2.
As seen from the leak before this, the Quest Pro features an all-new design – now featuring a more ergonomic visor piece and an adjustable solid strap, which replaces the elastic band approach from the company’s previous headsets. New to this particular model is a curved integrated battery pack on the rear part of the solid strap, which also functions as counterbalance for the entire setup. For added comfort, situated in front of the pack itself is a padded headrest.
Unfortunately, Meta did not detail the capacity for the headset’s integrated battery, but promises that it will provide around one to two hours of usage on a full charge. Alternatively, the included two-metre USB-C charging cable can also be used to extend runtime, the company added. Also packed together with the Quest Pro is a 45W charging dock, which is said to be capable of fully topping up its battery to 100% in “about two hours.”
Last but not least, packed alongside the high-end VR device are the new Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers, which sports a more ergonomic design and lacks the hollowed-out loop sensors featured on its predecessor. The company says each one features upgraded haptics and three sensors that track their position in a 3D space, offering full 360-degree range of motion without relying on the headset’s own trackers.
The all-new Meta Quest Pro is set to arrive in certain markets on 25 October 2022, retailing at an eye-watering price of US$ 1,499 (~RM 7,022). For comparison, the Quest 2 currently starts from RM 1,929, according to some listings on online marketplaces. Like its predecessors, it’s very likely that the company won’t officially launch the headset in Malaysia, though you can still expect local traders to import it regardless in the near future.
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