Meta reportedly abandons plans to develop a high-end mixed reality headset that would compete with Apple Vision Pro

Meta, the developer of VR headsets such as the Meta Quest series, was rumored to be developing a high-end mixed reality (MR) headset to compete with Apple Vision Pro , but the company has reportedly dropped the development project.

Meta Cancels High-End Mixed-Reality Headset — The Information
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/meta-cancels-high-end-mixed-reality-headset

Meta pulls plug on plans for high-end Vision Pro competitor - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/23/24226856/meta-vr-ar-la-jolla-rumor-quest-pro-2

According to a report from The Information , Meta had begun internal development of a high-end mixed reality headset codenamed ' La Jolla ' ( a luxury residential area in California, USA ) as of November 2023, but the company was notified internally in the third week of August 2024 that development of the headset would be canceled. One of the reasons for the cancellation of the development of La Jolla was that 'the use of costly MicroOLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays was being considered.'

La Jolla aimed to keep the price below $1,000, but this was a very difficult challenge given the high manufacturing costs of MicroOLED displays. In addition, Apple's high-end mixed reality headset , Apple Vision Pro, has had a major impact on customers and developers , which is also a headwind for Meta.

Summary of overseas reviews of Apple's 'Vision Pro,' with reviews calling it 'by far the best VR, AR, and MR headset to date' - GIGAZINE

In addition, Meta seems to be skeptical about whether there really is a demand for high-end mixed reality headsets. One reason for this is that Meta's high-end mixed reality headset ' Quest Pro ', which was released for $1,499 (226,800 yen including tax in Japan), was poorly received and quickly fell out of favor.

Photo review of 'Meta Quest Pro', a high-end standalone VR/AR headset model priced at over 220,000 yen - GIGAZINE

In addition, technology media The Verge pointed out that Meta's decision to stop developing a high-end MR headset suggests that Meta is getting tired of the idea of a high-end MR headset itself.

Meanwhile, Meta's CTO Andrew Bosworth updated his Threads account after The Information's report, saying, 'We develop a lot of product prototypes all the time, but not all of them make it into production. Decisions to abandon product development projects happen all the time - some moving forward, some foregone - and a chat-based story about each decision never tells the true picture.'

Meta is planning to hold an event called Meta Connect in September 2024, where it is rumored that new AR glasses will be announced.