Image courtesy WalkingCatThe single picture shows a white Quest-like headset. Theres no additional info beyond what can be presumed from the image alone, but there are some beneficial information on display.
We have not separately validated the credibility of the photo, so were still calling this a rumor for now, but WalkingCat does have a track record of authentic leaks; most just recently the user dripped images of the new HP Reverb G2 prior to its statement. In 2019 the user did the same for HoloLens 2 before it was revealed. The image likewise consists of a variety of subtle details that would be easy to miss out on in an informal render.
An unverified photo of an apparently unreleased Mission headset appeared online today from a leaker with a history of authentic leaks. The photo may show the next Mission headset (perhaps a Quest 2) which Oculus is expected to expose later on this year.
An image released today by recognized leaker WalkingCat has actually exposed what seems a new Quest headset. The user recommends that the headset is being referred to internally as “Quest 2” rather than “Quest S” or “Quest Pro,” but likewise states “names go through change.”
Implications of a Missing IPD Slider
The current Quest side-strap is likewise springy (the side struts can extend from their resting position) to make it easy to put the headset on or take it off without altering the tightness of the straps. Its possible that this brand-new strap design relies completely on a spring system to immediately accomplish the ideal tightness. This would be a welcomed design modification as its typical with the current Quest design to see people tighten up the side straps too much for long-lasting convenience.
Image courtesy WalkingCatThe headsets straps are also another significant modification. Many headsets utilize a tightening up dial on the back of the strap to adjust the fit, however it isnt clear from the photo that the strap is large enough to contain the required mechanism.
Another possible explanation for the lack of IPD slider is just that its been transferred to a position on the headset which isnt visible in this picture. However, all significant headsets have historically placed the IPD slider on the bottom of the headset.
Beyond minor modifications to the positioning of the headsets tracking video cameras, which could facilitate a larger field of view (particularly for improved visibility for hand-tracking), it likewise appears that headset is missing out on the IPD slider thats present on the existing Quest. This highly implies that the next Quest might move from double displays to a single screen, like Rift S uses. That would also likely mean that the headset would move from OLED display technology to LCD (likewise like Rift S).
Simplified Strap
Surprisingly, the rear part of the strap eliminates the big triangular opening thats designed to catch the ridge of the occipital bone to offer the headset some take advantage of to remain in place. This is usually a desirable feature– a headset would require to be much lighter than the current Quest to go without it.
Possible Return to Original Touch Controller Ergonomics
Image courtesy WalkingCatAnother apparent modification is a subtle redesign of the controllers which appears to be closer to the initial Touch controllers that delivered with first Rift CV1 headset. Amongst long time VR users, lots of preferred the shape and feel of the initial Touch controllers to the new design which ships with Quest and Rift S.
The giveaways on the controller redesign is that the index trigger has a more noticable ridge between its two halves, the grip trigger extends more, and the area of the joint along the manage– all of which appear to mirror the initial Touch controller. The shape of the face of the controllers likewise appears more round and offset– similar to the original Touch controllers– compared to the more recent controllers which have a teardrop-shaped face thats completely centered with the body of the controller.
What Cant Be Seen
The present Quest side-strap is also springy (the side struts can extend from their resting position) to make it easy to put the headset on or take it off without altering the tightness of the straps. A higher refresh rate would be challenging to make much use of with Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 chip thats in the existing Quest headset.
Beyond small changes to the placement of the headsets tracking cameras, which might help with a broader field of view (particularly for improved exposure for hand-tracking), it also appears that headset is missing the IPD slider thats present on the current Quest. Image courtesy WalkingCatThe headsets straps are also another significant modification. Lots of headsets use a tightening dial on the back of the strap to change the fit, but it isnt clear from the photo that the strap is big enough to consist of the required system.
———-. While the leaker WalkingCat has a history of authentic leakages, this photo might simply as well be a carefully detailed unofficial render thats an informed guess at what the next Quest may look like. We dont have independent confirmation of the images credibility so were continuing to treat this as a rumor for the time being.
A higher refresh rate would be challenging to make much usage of with Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 chip thats in the present Quest headset. It will almost certainly need to upgrade the guts of the headset if Oculus plans to utilize a 90Hz or 120Hz revitalize rate. Newer Snapdragon chips like 855 or XR2 would be a most likely option– Qualcomm did say earlier this year that the very first XR2 headsets were expected in the 2nd half of 2020.
Beyond what we can see in the image, numerous reports have pointed to a new Quest in the works. Previously this year, Bloomberg claimed that Facebook could release a new Quest headset as early as late 2020 which would be 10– 15% smaller, with a 90Hz or 120Hz display, and an upgraded controller.
