Introduction to the Meta Quest 4
We’re not expecting to see a Meta Quest 4 until at the very least next 12 months, 2026, but with all the joy around Meta’s confirmed smart glasses launches coming later this 12 months, there’s plenty of people asking what we are able to expect from its other XR tech. The Quest 4 hasn’t even been leaked yet. The Meta VR leaks we’ve heard as a substitute point towards a tool which seems more more likely to develop into the Meta Quest Pro 2.
Expected Features of the Meta Quest 4
The rumored device – codenamed Puffin – is predicted to feature premium specs and a novel design, a light-weight (110g) glasses-looking device for VR and MR, which seems too out of left field for Meta’s next mainstream model. But that doesn’t mean we are able to’t start laying out the features we would like to see from the Meta Quest 4 – a few of which we may even get based on comments from Meta itself and its collaborators, in addition to leaked details about its other devices from insiders.
Key Upgrades for the Meta Quest 4
Obviously, higher battery life, improved CPU and GPU specs, and a more lightweight design would all be great, but what are five other upgrades we would like to see from the Meta Quest 4?
1. OLED Display
A Meta Quest 4 with an OLED can be a major upgrade, but based on the Quest 3’s pricing and the much higher cost of OLED compared with the LCD screen tech Meta currently uses, it’s not expected. The biggest advantage of OLED is contrast – blacks in dark scenes are literally black, and it’s easier to distinguish details in dark scenes in consequence. For VR, this may make experiences rather more realistic because dark spaces will look more like they do in real life, somewhat than the fake-looking backlit aesthetics we’ve to make do with when using LCD.
2. Enhanced Entertainment Capabilities
There’s been plenty of buzz around VR headsets getting used as entertainment devices following Apple’s approach with Vision Pro, and comments James Cameron recently made about his Meta Quest headset usage to look at Avatar. But Meta’s headsets aren’t the most effective on this regard. They do have a handful of streaming options, but 3D content is near inconceivable to seek out easily, which is a large shame given how impressive it’s to look at in VR. I feel the Meta Quest 4 – especially if there’s an OLED version – would do well to deal with entertainment with significant app and content upgrades.
3. Built-in Capture Card
Another major boost to a headset’s entertainment capabilities, this time from the hardware side, is constructing a Quest 4 with the flexibility to process an HDMI-In signal. Currently, it will probably only do that using a third-party capture card, but based on experience, it’s a improbable Quest feature that may only be improved by putting all of the hardware contained in the headset. I used an Elgato capture card to enjoy PS5 games on a large virtual screen, and it was phenomenal.
4. Improved Mixed Reality Passthrough
Enough about entertainment upgrades, one other vital upgrade we would like from the Meta Quest 4 is improved passthrough. It’s already pretty solid, especially when using a mixed reality app in a vivid environment. Though it’s not perfect, and passthrough that’s more vibrant, less grainy, and has less distortion would make the Meta Quest 4’s mixed reality experience significantly more engaging, because the video feed of the actual world would look closer to the way it should.
5. Silicone Facial Interface
Last but not least is a minor but crucial upgrade: the facial interface must be made from silicone. Facial Interfaces are the soft material that cushions the frame of the headset where it rests in your face, and while add-ons (by Meta and third parties) are constructed from silicone, the one within the box is constructed from fabric. These fabric solutions are comfortable, but they take in sweat, making them lower than ideal for individuals who wish to use their headset for prolonged periods of time, for understanding, or sharing their headset with other people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while we don’t know much in regards to the Meta Quest 4 yet, there are several upgrades we would love to see in the subsequent iteration of Meta’s VR headset. These upgrades include an OLED display, enhanced entertainment capabilities, a built-in capture card, improved mixed reality passthrough, and a silicone facial interface. If Meta can deliver on these upgrades, the Meta Quest 4 could possibly be a major improvement over its predecessors and a serious player within the VR market.
