The metaverse promises to be a significant technological advancement and has attracted multinationals like Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta (Facebook), and Epic games. These companies want a slice of the rapidly growing technology that allows users to traverse a virtual world using artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). Bloomberg projects that global Metaverse revenue could hit 800 billion US Dollars by 2024. This is huge, quite soon, and in fact, nt many industries hit such revenues so fast especially when you consider that the Metaverse is a pretty new industry.
Meta has released the Meta Quest Pro to stay ahead in the metaverse world. But what is it? Keep reading for all the juicy details.
Further reading: The Hottest Trends Influencing the Metaverse
What is Meta Quest Pro?
Meta Quest Pro is a high-end headset for virtual reality and mixed reality built by Meta Platform’s Reality Labs. It was released in October 2022 and is among the most advanced headsets with full-color mixed reality (MR). This VR headset has innovative features like next-generation optics, high-resolution sensors, a sleek design with a comfortable and adjustable fit, and advanced LCDs.
The advanced features make the Meta Quest Pro a next-generation VR headset, perfect for working and collaborating more seamlessly in VR.
Meta Quest Pro review: Availability and prices
The Meta Quest Pro is readily available in all Meta Quest-supported regions and countries, selected stores including Currys in the UK, Argos, Best Buy in the United States, Canada’s Best Buy, as well as Boulanger and FNAC in France. You can also purchase it from Meta’s website or online stores like Amazon.
This VR headset costs 1,499.99 US Dollars. The price covers the headset and numerous accessories.
Meta Quest Pro review: Optics
This high-end VR headset features 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ chip. According to Meta, Quest Pro performs 50 percent better than Quest 2.
Meta Quest Pro has two next-generation pancake optics that deliver a higher resolution at 1,800 x 1,920 pixels per eye while reducing the headset’s thickness. Though it is lower than the Vive Pro 2’s resolution of 2,488 x 2,488 per eye, it is higher than the Valve Index’s resolution of 1,440 x 1,600 per eye.
The headset pops out a refresh rate of 90Hz, which is lower than most of its PC-based competitors. However, this doesn’t affect the gameplay and graphics as they are shutter free and smooth.
Meta Quest Pro review: Cameras
Unlike Quest 2, which had four built-in cameras, the Quest Pro has 16 cameras, which provide four times the number of pixels. It has ten cameras on the headset, five on the exterior and two on the interior. Each of the two Touch Pro controllers has three cameras. Three internal cameras are for eye tracking, while two are for facial tracking.
The cameras on the headset provide a “passthrough” vision, which makes you feel like you see through the headset. They feed the natural world into your eyes. Though passthrough isn’t new, the advanced cameras on Quest Pro do it better than most headsets.
Meta Quest Pro review: Design
Meta uses a clever design with a curved battery built into the headset of the Quest Pro. This design eliminates the need for a belt-mounted battery or cables. It provides the perfect balance between comfort and power.
The headset is extremely comfortable and easy to wear. It features a handy dial that allows you to adjust the headband and a soft forehead cushion for comfort. A small dial at the front enables the user to adjust the lens distance. You can adjust the interpupillary distance (IPD) by moving the eyepieces right or left.
The Quest Pro has a unique fit-calibration feature that tells you to adjust the settings if the headset senses that they aren’t right. Speakers built into the headset’s arms support spatial audio and ensure you get the perfect sound. There is also a 3.5mm jack that allows you to use external headphones.
Meta Quest Pro review: Controllers
The Quest Pro VR headset comes with two Touch Pro Controllers. Instead of using a big light ring fitted with LEDs like in the Quest 2, these controllers have built-in sensors for finger and hand tracking. The sensors enhance responsiveness and accuracy while allowing Meta to streamline the controller’s design. Improved haptics on the controllers add an extra immersion level, especially when using apps that enable you to flip the controllers and use them as a stylus.
Each controller features three individually self-tracked cameras. Two cameras are positioned at the front and provide a human-eye configuration, while one faces upwards. The sensors and cameras fully track each controller to eliminate dead zones.
Textured rubberized grips provide a firm hold and feel even in a tough virtual battle. The controllers are fully compatible with Quest 2, and you can buy them separately to upgrade your Quest 2 controllers.
Meta Quest Pro review: Facial expressions
The Quest Pro provides an enhanced social presence with facial expressions and eye tracking. These features allow the headset to offer impressive performance and deliver lifelike expressions that convince the user to spend more time in the VR world.
Eye and facial expression tracking is made possible by the headset’s inward-facing sensors. Moreover, foveated rendering provides sharp visuals, and peripheral vision reduces the processing load.
Meta Quest Pro review: Accessories
Meta Quest Pro kit comes with numerous accessories, including:
- Meta Quest Pro VR headset with a preinstalled head strap
- Two Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers with preinstalled wrist straps
- A charging dock
- Partial light blockers
- A protective cover for the headset
- A 45-watt outlet plug
- Controller charging cable
- USB type-C charging cable
- Stylus tips
- A cleaning cloth
A full light blocker is not included in the price, but you can buy it separately for complete immersion in virtual reality content.
Though Meta doesn’t state the battery life, the headset can last for two and a half to three and a half hours after a full charge. Furthermore, the six-foot type-C USB cables allow you to jack it and keep it running for longer.
Also Read: Frequently Asked Questions about the metaverse
Conclusion
Though Meta Quest Pro has more advanced features that enable users to dive deeper into the virtual reality world, the price is hard to justify and recommend. There already seems to be an uproar of some sort from many people who feel the price is quite high. Others feel the user experience is not as good. Some feel it could be best for developers who would like to experiment with using it to create metaverse applications. Well as they say, time will tell, and with time things become clearer.
What’s important though at this point is to note that we are witnessing the beginning of what promises to be an exciting future of the internet. Nobody can really seem to predict it right, and this is always the case with many of the technologies we enjoy today. Some win big, some lose big. For the metaverse, and like all big bets, the brave will have to get in first and put in big finances as they are already doing. If it turns out right, they reap huge ROIs, as they are already doing with their investments of yesterday.
It’s just recently that Meta held the first creator conference, and trust this to open doors for more action in this quickly unfolding space.
