Forget about Oculus Quest 2: an Oculus Quest Pro could come soon.
Facebook could experiment with a more powerful version of the Oculus Quest 2.
Oculus Quest 2 is the sequel to Oculus Quest.
Although the Oculus Quest 2 has only been out for five months, Facebook may already plan a more powerful version: the Oculus Quest Pro.
Oculus Vice President Andrew Bosworth hinted at the existence. In response to a user's request for a $600 headset with improved specs, Bosworth responded, "Quest Pro, huh?" According to Amit Caesar, he said, "Interesting," before winking at the camera.
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It's a long way from an official announcement, let alone a complete list of Oculus Quest Pro specifications, but it at least suggests that Facebook is considering it.
The Oculus Quest 2 is by far the most convenient way to play brilliant VR games like Beat Saber and Super hot, thanks to its all-in-one design that eliminates the need for a PC or standalone cameras, but it's still on the weak side in terms of power. Although the Snapdragon XR2 chip that powers it is an upgrade over the original Quest, Qualcomm claims that its Snapdragon 888 (found in the Samsung Galaxy S21) has a GPU that is 35 percent more powerful.
Of course, the ability to play more demanding games via the Oculus Link cable and a gaming PC is part of the appeal of the Oculus Quest family, so its limited specs haven't deterred everyone. Regardless, the prospect of a pro version is exciting, assuming that developers feel compelled to upgrade their existing Oculus titles to take advantage of any theoretical benefits.
The AMA wasn't just full of interesting revelations. When asked if eye tracking would be possible on Quest, Bosworth said the technology is “something we will fit into some future headset,” and that it can “dramatically improve performance by only rendering things that are in view of the fov.”
Bosworth was, of course, asked about the PSVR 2, which was recently announced. He expressed his delight, saying, "I'm glad they're making one." “PSVR was such an enormous hit and a huge moneymaker for our developers, and I'm hoping PSVR 2 will be as well.”
Indeed, that two companies the size of Facebook and Sony appear committed to the future of virtual reality are great insurance for developers, and the best VR games have already appeared on both the PS4 and the Oculus Quest. Beat Saber, The Walking Dead Saints and Sinners, Pistol Whip, Arizona Sunshine, Job Simulator, Rec Room, and Super hot are among the most popular VR experiences on both platforms.
