Meta Quest
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Meta Quest (originally Oculus Quest) is a line of standalone virtual reality and mixed reality headsets made by Meta Platforms, the company formerly known as Facebook. The defining trait of the line is that each headset is a self-contained computer: it runs games and apps on its own mobile chip, tracks the wearer's position with cameras built into the visor, and needs no PC, no game console, and no external sensors mounted around the room. That standalone design, sold at consumer prices, is the main reason Quest became the best-selling VR hardware family of its generation.
The first model shipped as the Oculus Quest in May 2019. After Facebook renamed itself Meta in late 2021, the headsets were rebranded from "Oculus Quest" to "Meta Quest" through 2022, and the surrounding software (the operating system, the app store, and the phone companion app) was renamed again to the "Horizon" branding in 2024. Headsets can still be tethered to a gaming PC to play more demanding PC VR titles over Meta Quest Link (a USB-C cable) or Air Link (wireless), but most Quest software runs directly on the headset.
As of September 2026 Meta sells two Quest models, the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, whose US prices rose in April 2026.[1] At Meta Connect 2026 on September 23, 2026, Meta announced the Meta VR Glasses, a US$1,299.99 VR device due in spring 2027 that runs the same operating system and store as Quest but does not carry the Quest name.[2][3] Meta told developers that it sees the device as an addition to its Quest headsets rather than a replacement.[4]
Origin as Oculus Quest
Oculus VR was a VR startup that Facebook acquired in 2014. Its early consumer headset, the Oculus Rift, was a PC-tethered device. The Quest grew out of an internal prototype (known during development as "Santa Cruz") aimed at putting six-degrees-of-freedom tracking into a wireless all-in-one headset.
Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Oculus Quest at the Oculus Connect 5 conference on September 26, 2018, with a spring 2019 launch and a starting price of $399.[5] It went on sale on May 21, 2019.[6] The Quest was the first Oculus headset to combine positional Inside-out tracking for both the headset and the hand controllers with a wire-free, console-free form factor, which is what set the template for everything that followed.
From Oculus to Meta
On October 28, 2021, at the company's annual Connect conference, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook's parent company would be renamed Meta Platforms, reframing the firm around its long-term bet on the "metaverse" rather than the Facebook app alone.[7]
The hardware brand followed. Beginning in early 2022, Meta retired the Oculus name and rebranded the headsets as Meta Quest, so the existing Oculus Quest 2 became the Meta Quest 2 and the Oculus companion app became the Meta Quest app.[8] The original 2019 headset is the one model that kept its "Oculus Quest" name in most documentation, since it predated the rebrand and was already discontinued by then.
Platform and software
Operating system
Every Quest runs Meta's own Android-based operating system. Meta renamed that software to Meta Horizon OS on April 22, 2024; before the rename it was the unbranded system software that shipped on Quest headsets, built on the Android Open Source Project.[9] Recent versions are based on Android 14.[9] In the same April 2024 announcement, Meta said it would open Horizon OS to third-party hardware makers and named Asus (its Republic of Gamers division), Lenovo, and Microsoft's Xbox as the first partners building devices around the OS.[10] Meta later paused that third-party licensing program in December 2025 to concentrate on its own headsets.[11]
Quest system updates were numbered sequentially until version 85. In February 2026 heise online reported that the software was moving to a "Horizon OS 2" scheme, with later updates designated 2.1, 2.2 and so on so that major updates can be told apart from smaller ones.[12] In June 2026 UploadVR reported that Navigator, a redesigned system interface that moves the library, quick settings, notifications and camera into a large overlay that appears over both immersive and 2D apps, had rolled out to all Quest headsets about a year after public testing began.[13] Horizon OS 2.7, covered by UploadVR in September 2026, added a Gamepad Mode that lets Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners emulate Xbox gamepad inputs with their Touch Plus controllers. The same update let apps on Quest 3 request refresh rates up to 207 Hz (and up to 240 Hz through developer-mode ADB commands); UploadVR reported that this option is not available on Quest 3S.[14]
Store
Software is sold through Meta's storefront, which has been renamed several times alongside the company. It launched as the Oculus Store, became the Meta Quest Store after the 2022 rebrand, and was renamed the Meta Horizon Store on April 22, 2024 (the same day as the OS rename), at which point it also opened to apps for third-party Horizon OS devices.[15] The mobile companion app that pairs with a headset was likewise renamed from the Meta Quest app to the Meta Horizon app.[10]
Standalone use and PC VR
Most Quest content runs entirely on the headset. For PC VR titles that need a desktop graphics card, a Quest can connect to a Windows PC two ways: Meta Quest Link, a wired USB-C connection that was originally called Oculus Link, or Air Link, which streams the same PC VR feed wirelessly over a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network.[16] A wired Link connection generally gives lower latency and cleaner image quality than wireless, while Air Link trades some of that for freedom of movement.
Tracking, controllers, and hands
Quest headsets use Inside-out tracking: cameras on the headset watch the room to work out where the headset and controllers are, so there are no base stations to mount. Each headset ships with a pair of handheld Touch controllers (the exact model varies by generation, for example Touch Pro on Quest Pro and Touch Plus on Quest 3 and Quest 3S). The same cameras also support controller-free hand tracking, which lets the headset read finger and hand poses directly for menus and supported apps. From Quest Pro onward, Meta added color passthrough so the cameras can show a live view of the real room, which is the basis for the line's mixed reality features.
Models
The table below lists the headsets with publicly documented specifications. Prices are the launch prices in US dollars at the headset's debut; several models were later repriced (the Quest 2, for instance, rose to $399 in 2022 before the line was reshuffled, and the Quest Pro was cut to $1,000 in 2023).[17] Resolution is given per eye.
| Model | Release date | Launch price (USD) | SoC | Resolution per eye | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oculus Quest | May 21, 2019 | $399 (64 GB) / $499 (128 GB) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | 1440 x 1600 OLED @ 72 Hz | First standalone 6DoF Quest; inside-out tracking; discontinued 2020[6][18] |
| Meta Quest 2 | October 13, 2020 | $299 (64 GB) / $399 (256 GB) | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 | 1832 x 1920 LCD @ 72-120 Hz | Best-selling model; launched as Oculus Quest 2, later rebranded Meta Quest 2; discontinued September 2024[19] |
| Meta Quest Pro | October 25, 2022 | $1,499.99 | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 | 1800 x 1920 @ 72-90 Hz | Pancake lenses, eye and face tracking, color passthrough; price cut to $1,000 in 2023; discontinued 2024[20] |
| Meta Quest 3 | October 10, 2023 | $499.99 (128 GB) / $649.99 (512 GB) | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 | 2064 x 2208 LCD @ 90-120 Hz | Pancake lenses, full-color passthrough mixed reality, depth sensor[21] |
| Meta Quest 3S | October 15, 2024 | $299.99 (128 GB) / $399.99 (256 GB) | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 | 1832 x 1920 LCD @ 90-120 Hz | Cheaper Quest 3 sibling; same SoC and color passthrough but Fresnel lenses and lower-res displays[22] |
Discontinued models
Three of the listed headsets are no longer sold. The original Oculus Quest was discontinued in 2020 once the Quest 2 arrived.[6] The Meta Quest 2 was discontinued on September 25, 2024, when the Quest 3S took over its $299 entry-level slot.[19] The Meta Quest Pro was discontinued in 2024, with sales ending in early 2025 and buyers pointed toward the Quest 3.[20] As of September 2026 the actively sold models are the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S.[1]
Current models and 2026 pricing
In September 2024 Meta cut the price of the 512 GB Quest 3 to $500 and began phasing out the 128 GB model, which was sold at a discounted $430 until stock ran out.[23] On April 16, 2026, Meta announced that prices for Quest 3 and Quest 3S would rise starting April 19, 2026, and published new US prices alongside separate international pricing. The company attributed the increase to a global surge in the price of critical components, specifically memory chips, which it said was affecting almost every category of consumer electronics, including VR. Meta said refurbished units would also be repriced, while Quest accessories would keep their existing prices.[1][24]
| Model | US price before April 19, 2026 | US price from April 19, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 3S (128 GB) | $300 | $349.99 |
| Meta Quest 3S (256 GB) | $400 | $449.99 |
| Meta Quest 3 (512 GB) | $500 | $599.99 |
The new prices are from Meta's announcement; the earlier prices are as given by UploadVR.[1][24]
Meta Connect 2026 and Meta VR Glasses
At Meta Connect 2026 Meta announced the Meta VR Glasses, which SiliconANGLE described as the company's first new VR device since it launched the Quest 3S in 2024.[25] Meta states that the glasses weigh about 100 grams, which it says makes them five times lighter than Meta Quest 3; the processor, battery and storage sit in a separate compute puck. Meta lists a price of US$1,299.99 and a spring 2027 release, so as of September 2026 the device had been announced but not released.[3]
The VR Glasses are not branded as a Quest, but they share the Quest software platform. Meta told developers that they "run on the same operating system as Meta Quest, run the same Store and payment platform, and use the same SDKs," and that "most existing apps should run at parity or better than Quest 3."[2] In a separate Connect recap for developers, Meta wrote: "We see VR Glasses as an addition, not a replacement to Meta Quest devices. Gaming is still core to the Meta VR ecosystem, and your titles and players remain a priority."[4] Meta's game announcement post states that "every Quest game will be playable on Meta VR Glasses with Touch Plus controllers."[26] The glasses do not include controllers. UploadVR reported that buyers can purchase Touch Plus controllers separately, in a new all-black color, or pair the controllers from an existing Quest 3 or Quest 3S, and that some retail channels will sell a bundle with controllers.[27]
New software for Quest 3 and Quest 3S
Several titles announced at Connect 2026 are coming to Quest 3 and Quest 3S as well as to the VR Glasses. The table lists the platforms and timing given in the announcements.[26]
| Title | Announced for | Timing (as announced) |
|---|---|---|
| PAYDAY: Aces High | Meta Quest 3 and 3S | Later in 2026; open playtest starting October 19[26] |
| Hot Dogs, Horseshoes, and Hand Grenades 2 | Meta Quest 3 and 3S | November 12, 2026[26] |
| Supernatural | Return to the Meta Horizon Store; day-one title on Meta VR Glasses | Fall 2026[26] |
| Beat Saber: Flux (update to Beat Saber) | Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest | Spring 2027[26][28] |
| Dragon Grove | Meta VR Glasses; also Meta Quest 3 and 3S | Spring 2027[26] |
| Dice Throne Digital | Meta VR Glasses, Meta Quest 3 and 3S, mobile and PC (free-to-play) | Early 2027[26] |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies VR | Meta VR Glasses, Meta Quest 3 and 3S | 2027[26][28][29] |
Engadget reported that PAYDAY: Aces High will support co-op crossplay with its PC VR version, and that Two Point Hospital is coming to Meta Quest 3 and 3S with hand-tracking support; Meta's announcement lists Two Point Hospital for Meta VR Glasses as well.[28][26] UploadVR listed Story of Seasons: Your Wonderful Life and Cardmada among the games coming to Meta VR Glasses, Quest 3 and 3S.[29]
Future headsets
In February 2026 UploadVR reported that Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, in a Davos interview with journalist Alex Heath, said Meta had "two devices on the roadmap". UploadVR read the remark as a sign that a gaming-focused Quest 4 had not been canceled, and its reporting linked the two devices to an ultralight headset planned for the first half of 2027 and a Quest 4 no earlier than the second half of 2027.[30] Asked in July 2026 whether Meta had given up on VR, Bosworth said the company had "just updated the user interface profoundly for the first time in years" and had "talked openly about the fact that we're building multiple next-generation headsets."[31]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "An Update on Meta Quest Pricing". Meta Blog. Meta Platforms. 2026-04-16. https://www.meta.com/blog/update-meta-quest-pricing/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "VR is Expanding. Start Building for Meta VR Glasses Today.". Meta Horizon OS Developers. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-24. https://developers.meta.com/blog/meta-connect-recap-start-building-the-future-of-vr/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Introducing Meta VR Glasses: A Cinema, Courtside Seat, and Workspace in Just 100 Grams". About Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/introducing-meta-vr-glasses-3d-movies-immersive-live-sports-100-grams/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Meta Connect 2026: The end-to-end recap". Meta Horizon OS Developers. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-24. https://developers.meta.com/blog/meta-connect-recap/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "Facebook's newest VR headset, Oculus Quest, ships in the spring for $399". TechCrunch. 2018-09-26. https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/26/oculus-quest-ships-in-the-spring-for-399/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Oculus Quest". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oculus_Quest. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Introducing Meta: A Social Technology Company". Meta (about.fb.com). 2021-10-28. https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/facebook-company-is-now-meta/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Oculus Brand Is Dead, Oculus Quest To Become Meta Quest". UploadVR. 2021-10-28. https://www.uploadvr.com/oculus-brand-dead-oculus-quest-to-become-meta-quest/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Meta Horizon OS". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Horizon_OS. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Introducing Our Open Mixed Reality Ecosystem". Meta (about.fb.com). 2024-04-22. https://about.fb.com/news/2024/04/introducing-our-open-mixed-reality-ecosystem/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Meta is pausing its dream of sharing Quest's Horizon OS with third-party headset makers". TechCrunch. 2025-12-17. https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/17/meta-is-pausing-its-dream-of-sharing-quests-horizon-os-with-third-party-headset-makers/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ Tomislav Bezmalinović (2026-02-13). "Meta Quest embarks on a new beginning with "Horizon OS 2"". heise online. https://www.heise.de/en/news/Meta-Quest-embarks-on-a-new-beginning-with-Horizon-OS-2-11175109.html. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Luna (2026-09-01). "Horizon OS 2.7 Brings Gamepad Emulation & 240 Hz Refresh Rate To Quest 3". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/qhorizon-os-2-7-adds-gamepad-emulation-and-207-hz-display-mode-240-hz-in-dev-mode/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "Meta Horizon Store". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Horizon_Store. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Set up and connect Meta Horizon Link and Air Link". Meta. https://www.meta.com/help/quest/509273027107091/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Facebook parent Meta raises price of its Quest 2 VR headset by $100". CNBC. 2022-07-26. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/26/facebook-parent-meta-raises-price-of-its-quest-2-vr-headset-by-100.html. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Oculus Quest Specs, Price, Release Date And Everything Else". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/oculus-quest-specs-price-release-date/. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Quest 2". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_2. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Meta Quest Pro". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Quest_Pro. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Meta Quest 3". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Quest_3. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Meta Quest 3S". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Quest_3S. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ David Heaney (2024-09-25). "Meta Cuts 512GB Quest 3 To $500, Will Discontinue 128GB Model". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/quest-3-128gb-discontinued/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 David Heaney (2026-04-16). "Meta Is Increasing The Price Of Quest 3 & Quest 3S". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-quest-3-quest-3s-price-hike-memory-crisis/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Mike Wheatley (2026-09-23). "Meta tries to resurrect the metaverse with its new VR Glasses". SiliconANGLE. https://siliconangle.com/2026/09/23/meta-tries-to-resurrect-the-metaverse-with-its-new-vr-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 26.00 26.01 26.02 26.03 26.04 26.05 26.06 26.07 26.08 26.09 "Elevate Your Gaming With These New Titles and Updates For Meta VR Glasses and Quest, Announced at Meta Connect". Meta Blog. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/connect-2026-game-announcements-meta-vr-glasses-quest/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ David Heaney (2026-09-23). "Meta VR Glasses Officially Announced, Shipping Spring 2027 For $1300". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-vr-glasses-officially-announced-connect-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Kris Holt (2026-09-23). "Everything announced at Meta Connect 2026". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2267230/everything-announced-at-meta-connect-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 James Tocchio (2026-09-23). "Every New Game & Update Announced For Meta VR Glasses". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/new-games-announced-for-meta-vr-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ David Heaney (2026-02-10). "Quest 4 Is Still On The Roadmap, Meta CTO Seemingly Confirms". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-cto-seems-to-confirm-quest-4-still-on-roadmap/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ David Heaney (2026-07-09). "Meta Reaffirms "Multiple Next-Generation Headsets", Hints At Announcement Month". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-cto-reaffirms-work-on-multiple-next-generation-headsets-hin/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.