Meta’s Quest Professional, as soon as hailed as a groundbreaking headset for VR professionals, is now not out there. Meta has formally retired the machine, redirecting shoppers to its newer Quest 3 headset for a “premium combined actuality expertise.”
Launched in October 2022, Meta Quest Professional was designed for “tremendous customers” with superior options like facial and eye monitoring and lighter, higher-resolution optical lenses. The machine initially retailed for $1,500, concentrating on companies {and professional} customers. Regardless of its spectacular specs, the Quest Professional did not resonate with its meant viewers. The excessive price ticket and restricted adoption amongst professionals contributed to its decline.
In September, Meta introduced its choice to part out the Quest Professional alongside the Quest 2 and the 128GB model of Quest 3. By January, the official Quest Professional webpage confirmed the product’s discontinuation. As reported by RoadtoVR, Meta now invitations shoppers to discover the Quest 3 sequence, which goals to steadiness premium options with accessibility.
The Quest Professional’s discontinuation comes amid broader challenges in Meta’s Actuality Labs division, liable for AR/VR expertise. Meta’s third-quarter earnings revealed a staggering $4.4 billion loss on this phase, marking its third consecutive quarterly loss in 2024. With complete reported losses exceeding $12 billion for the yr, Meta’s AR/VR ambitions face growing scrutiny.
Regardless of setbacks, Meta stays dedicated to the AR/VR house, specializing in the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, which launched in October 2024. These gadgets intention to seize the broader client market by delivering enhanced experiences at a extra reasonably priced worth level.
The Quest Professional’s withdrawal underscores the difficulties of carving out a distinct segment within the skilled VR market. Because the business evolves, firms like Meta should strike a fragile steadiness between innovation, affordability, and client demand to stay aggressive.
