Will Meta and LG Partner for Quest Pro Replacement?

Back in November 2022, SBS Biz, a South Korean news outlet, reported that Meta and LG Display were in talks over the production of potential OLED microdisplays for new headsets. Using microdisplays in new headsets would increase pixel density, improve resolution, and reduce the size and weight of the device. 

Now, another South Korean news outlet called Maeil Business Newspaper claims that the relationship between the two companies is blossoming, and Meta is looking to partner with the broader LG Group in a bigger deal to build new headsets to replace the Quest Pro. 

Although the Quest Pro was only launched last year, recent reports suggest that Meta is no longer ordering the materials required for production, meaning the headset will no longer be available once stock sells through. 

These recent reports about the demise of the Quest Pro also indicated that plans for its successor were also being shelved. But now, this potential relationship with LG could mean a new “Pro” headset soon. In fact, Maeil Business Newspaper’s report suggests that the headset may be named the “Quest 4 Pro”. 

Let’s take a closer look at what Maeil Business Newspaper’s report says and what this means for the future of the Quest Pro range. 

What Does Meta’s Potential Deal With LG Involve?

According to reports about the deal, Meta’s new “Pro” headset will be manufactured by LG Electronics. It will feature LG Displays and batteries from LG Energy. Additional components will come from LG Innotek. 

It’s expected that the first LG-produced Meta headset will hit the market in 2025 at a cost of around $2000. 

What Will the Meta LG Headset Be Called?

While it’s suggested that the headset may be named Quest 4 Pro, industry insiders originally assumed the Quest Pro would be called the Quest 2 Pro. Up until now, Meta has differentiated between product ranges by keeping the standard Quest range and Pro lines separate. 

Of course, Meta could take a completely different approach in an attempt to branch away from the current Quest Pro. 

Has Meta Partnered With Other Tech Firms Like This Before?

While LG may be the biggest tech manufacturer Meta has partnered with, they are not the first. Xiaomi handled manufacturing for the Oculus Go, while the Oculus Rift S was co-designed and manufactured by Lenovo. 

It’s very common for Meta to use parts designed and produced by other companies while having their headsets assembled by a separate manufacturer. 

Will LG’s Branding Feature On the Device?

Both the Oculus Go and Rift S featured the manufacturer’s branding on the sides of the headset, with the Oculus logo on the front. Any new LG-produced device will likely feature the LG logo somewhere on the headset; however, it’s unclear at this point where this will be. 

What Does This Mean for Meta’s XR Roadmap?

A few months ago, Alex Heath from The Verge reported that he’d seen Meta’s internal roadmap and that, according to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, next year’s Quest Pro follow-up had been scrapped. 

While the Quest Pro 2 won’t happen anytime soon, the Vice President of VR, Mark Rabkin, talked about a model that was “way out in the future” that would take its place. The new headset would have such high resolution the device could use photoreal codec avatars, and you’d be able to read very small text. 

Working with LG could mean this headset appears on the shelves sooner than anticipated and be a worthy competitor for the Apple Vision Pro. 

Apple’s new headset is due to launch next year; however, the tech giant currently faces production issues that limit production numbers to just 500,000 units for the first year. This could provide Meta and LG a window of opportunity if they can launch a new headset quickly. 

Elsewhere, Google and Samsung also plan on entering the high-end XR market with a $2000 headset. 

The report in Maeil Business Newspaper also claims Meta will launch a new budget headset next year. This $200 headset won’t be manufactured in conjunction with LG. Currently, the prospect of such a low-price device seems unlikely, considering the Quest 2 still holds a price tag of $300 after three years on the market.