Meta Quest Pro: What We Know (formerly called Project Cambria)

Updated November 2, 2022

At its annual Facebook Connect conference and event, the social media giant and VR evangelist made one announcement that hit the headlines across the world: Facebook is now Meta.

Leaks: the Lowdown

For those far more interested in VR hardware than whatever metaversal marketing platform Zuckerberg and co aim to establish, there was another announcement far more exciting. Instead of the rumored Oculus Quest Pro, the next piece of VR hardware from Meta will be a combined VR/AR device currently bearing the name Project Cambria. But exactly what does Cambria have in store for early adopters besides a cool California-inspired codename?

Not an Oculus Quest 3 or Quest Pro, and instead a high-end headset, perhaps the first in a new product line, Cambria is still being kept largely under wraps. However, meta is proud of some of its developments and gave some info away during Connect 2021, much of which points to a far more interactive, immersive, and realistic future for VR porn and adult VR gaming.

• Gone are the Fresnel lenses used in Quest 1 and 2 to make way for a smaller, more powerful optical system using multi-layered “pancake” lenses.
• Cambria will bring VR and AR together for greater versatility.
• Eye, face, and hand tracking will be onboard, with full-body tracking also likely to be implemented after launch.
• The device will be the first from Facebook/Oculus/Meta to offer full-color video passthrough during use.

How Soon is Now?

Revealed in a handful of leaks with questionable origins, a few more tidbits about Cambria’s hardware and capabilities have hit the rumor mill. Data miners retrieved render textures and, from them, created 3D models of what Cambria might look like. Greater padding in the forehead rest and rear strap areas should provide more comfort if they come to fruition, while controllers may ditch the tracking rings found on Quest models while retaining much of the existing Quest controller design. The possible inclusion of infrared tracking cameras on the face of Cambria controllers could supplant the need for the rings altogether.

With Cambria still firmly in the development and prototyping phase, there’s no official street date yet available. That said, Meta claims to be aiming for a 2022 launch for the device, which will hit shelves under a different name and command a significantly higher price than Quest 2.

News From Zuckerberg

As the months come and go, those awaiting the arrival of Cambria have been privy to a number of leaks and teases regarding this ambitious project. Some information, most crucially, has come from Mark Zuckerberg himself.

Taking to Twitter to clarify rumors and hype Cambria’s eventual release, Zuckerberg stated that the device will focus on “work use cases” and that Meta hopes it will eventually replace the laptop as the ubiquitous work-related computing tool. Citing “improved ergonomics and full-color passthrough” as other features, Zuckerberg positions Cambria less as a follow-up to Quest 2 and more as the beginning of a parallel hardware line.

According to a report published by The Information, Cambria will arrive by September 2022 and be followed by another three Meta VR/AR/MR devices. One, a successor to Cambria, is alleged to arrive by 2024. The same timeframe is reported for the other two devices, both additions to Meta’s roaringly successful Quest line: codenames Stinson and Cardiff. One clarifying note from Meta in response to The Information’s report: Cambria will not cost the reported price of $800 and, in fact, be set at a “significantly higher” price point.

Gladly, It’s a Leak Dump

Noted leaker and predictor of unreleased Meta hardware details, sadlyitsbradley, published a non-paywalled Patreon post on June 1st that was loaded with information about Cambria. All remain unconfirmed, of course, but Brad Lynch has proven reliable in the past, so many are taking this leak dump as likely very accurate. Here’s a breakdown of the most intriguing and exciting parts of this massive leak.

The design of Cambria appears to be close to or fully final, as revealed by leaked images detailing its construction and operational elements. Notably, the design includes a coiling power delivery wire connecting the head-mounted display as well as a battery and a clip to comfortably position and hold a USB C cable expected to come bundled with Cambria. The USB C element suggests Meta will downplay what is now known as Oculus Air Link in favor of directly connecting to a PC when more power is needed. Cambria also looks to include “glacier” lenses on its front right and left, a “teton” high-res RGB camera at front center with the teton colorizing the images from the speedy glacier cameras.

What Else is New?

Alongside these hardware reveals and the promise of a slate of new software – including customizable Home environments, in-Home app anchoring, the ability to suspend and relaunch apps, and NFT support – and a dedication to cloud-based gaming, a number of “unsubstantiated musings” were also detailed in Lynch’s post. Has Cambria been revised after more inside info about Apple’s forthcoming high-end VR/AR device came to light? Will Cambria’s spec help it be the laptop replacement Mark Zuckerberg has stated he wants it to be? All will be revealed in due time.

Meta Quest Pro

Project Cambria has finally (and fairly predictably) been revealed to be the working name of Meta Quest Pro. With reference to “Quest Pro” found in lines of code contained within an updated version of Meta’s Oculus iOS app by dataminer Steve Moser, the true identity of Cambria leaked to the press in July.

According to Bloomberg (and company tradition), Meta is likely to release Quest Pro in October of this year at a price point of $1000-$1500. With the price of Quest 2 seeing a recent $100 hike for both its 128GB and 256GB models – to $399.99 and $499.99 respectively – the reported price of Quest Pro could also change. What appears reliable, however, is the idea that Quest Pro is not designed for casual use and is instead Meta’s attempt to bring in more professional users.

Eye tracking and Natural Facial Expressions

More hints of Quest Pro’s capabilities came with the early August rollout of Quest v43 to beta testers. Along with the long-awaited ability to record in 16:9 aspect ratio, adjustable frame rate, compression level, and image stabilization for Quest 2’s cameras, new sensor permissions point to expected Quest Pro features and were first revealed by Reddit’s u/deliciouspotato2.

Eye-tracking and facial expression recognition have both been discussed as part of the ambitious Project Cambria. Soon to enable these features will be visible (though unusable) to all Quest 2 users with the expected September public release of v43.

Launch Date Announced

Zuckerberg has revealed that Meta will launch a new VR headset in October. Most likely Project Cambria, the exact details of the device, including its name, were not discussed during Zuckerberg’s appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Zuckerberg noted the forthcoming device would offer avatars with real-time expressive facial responses.

“The ability to now have kind of eye contact in virtual reality. Have your face be tracked so that way your avatar, it’s not just this still thing, but if you smile or if you frown or if you pout, or whatever your expression is, have that translate in real time to your avatar,” the Meta founder noted when speaking of the developing social metaverse.

Meta Connect

Meta announced the date of its annual Meta Connect event recently, declaring October 11th as the day on which it will announce its forthcoming devices and latest developments. In a style befitting someone from the millennial generation, Mark Zuckerberg gave a little tease about what to expect on his Facebook page. “See you at Meta Connect on Oct 11,” accompanied by a photo of the CEO with a curious device strapped to his head. The device is not a Quest 2 and carries many elements believed to be part of the Project Cambria hardware so consider this Zuckerberg’s declaration that Cambria will be unveiled (and officially named) on October 11. Meta Connect can be viewed via Reality Labs Facebook page.

Quest Pro Revealed by Hotel Worker

Ramiro Cardenas, working as a cleaner at a long-stay accommodation facility, found a black bag presumably left behind by a departed resident. Under normal circumstances, staff would quickly and thoughtlessly dispose of the bag. Cardenas, however, was curious. After opening the bag, he immediately knew what he had found: a pre-release Meta Quest Pro.

Cardenas did not attempt to power up the device, merely confirming what it was that he had stumbled upon. Posting the videos and photos after the device was reclaimed by its owner, Cardenas quickly became one of VR’s most talked about people. A Quest 2 owner and a big fan of VR gaming, Cardenas is the first among the general public to get their hands on Meta’s hotly anticipated successor to the enormously successful Quest 2 before it’s presumed reveal at Meta Connect on October 11th. From the images shared by Cardenas, Quest Pro includes all the features outlined above and is, as the leaker himself stated, both lighter and more “high-end feeling” than Quest 2.

Unveiled And Available!

As expected, Meta Quest Pro was officially unveiled at Meta Connect 2022 and quickly became available for preorder. Now having begun shipping, Quest Pro is the focus of pundits and consumers looking to Meta for an understanding of where MR hardware is heading. With impressive specs that make it a significant upgrade from Quest 2, it’d be easy to assume Quest Pro is that earlier device’s successor. In fact, Quest 3, the true next evolution of Quest 2, unofficially announced by Zuckerberg around the time of Connect 2022, should be arriving before too long. As those not exactly eager to drop $1500 on Quest Pro await Quest 3, Meta is banking on Quest Pro, helping to solidify Mixed Reality as the future of virtual technology.

Smaller, Lighter, Faster, Stronger

Being a device designed for MR use, creative work, and productivity, Quest Pro is notably smaller and lighter than Quest 2. Part of the reason for this is Meta’s decision to use pancake lenses instead of the more common, bulkier Fresnel lenses. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+, Quest Pro is said to offer 50% more power than Quest 2, its 12GB RAM, 256 storage, and ten high-resolution sensors benefiting from the advanced processing platform. With color passthrough, a PCVR option, and freshly designed Touch Pro controllers (also compatible with Quest 2), Quest Pro aims for a fluid means of utilizing MR in a variety of situations.