Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has officially announced the upcoming release of its latest headset, the Meta Quest 3. This virtual and mixed reality headset features a refreshed design, including a 40% slimmer overall profile, and a new Snapdragon chipset. With twice the graphics performance, the Meta Quest 3 is expected to deliver higher-quality visuals in VR games and experiences. The headset will be available for purchase this fall, with pre-orders expected to go live soon.
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Meta Quest 3 Price
The Meta Quest 3 has a starting price of $499, which is $100 higher than the Quest 2’s original price tag. The Quest 2 launched for $299 but has since seen a price increase. Despite the increase, the Quest 3 is still less expensive than the $549 PSVR 2 and does not require a $500 console to power it.
Meta has also announced that it will reduce the price of the Quest 2 models to $299 for the 128GB version and $349 for the 256GB model. There is no official pricing yet for the U.K. or Australia, but it is expected to be around £499 and AU$629-$700, respectively.
Meta Quest 3 Specs
The Meta Quest 3 boasts a base storage option of 128GB, with the possibility of additional storage options for those who need more space. The headset will feature a next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, and the display resolution will be nearly 30% better than the Quest 2’s resolution, making it the best resolution Meta has ever produced.
The headset will feature high-fidelity color passthrough, allowing users to see the real world around them in full color. The Meta Quest 3 will also allow for the exploration of limitless possibilities by using machine learning and spatial understanding to let wearers interact with both virtual and real worlds simultaneously.
Meta Quest 3 Design
The Meta Quest 3 has undergone a complete redesign, making it 40% slimmer and more comfortable to wear for extended periods. The headset features a trio of pill-shaped cameras/sensors on the front, and the head strap is made of improved flexible material. An additional button on the bottom of the headset will be used to adjust IPD, and the face shield has been redesigned to better block out external light.
The controllers have also been redesigned to be more ergonomic and will feature TruTouch haptics. It is unfortunate that the Touch Plus controllers will rely on disposable AA batteries instead of being rechargeable.
Meta Quest 3 Potential Features
The Meta Quest 3’s Smart Guardian is an upgrade to the existing guardian feature in the Meta Quest 2 that allows users to outline their space to ensure safe use of the headset. The Smart Guardian will use the headset’s camera array on the front visor to outline the space for users, mapping out the entire room to ensure that experiences accurately interact with the objects in the room.
The Meta Quest 3 will also have some level of PC VR compatibility with Windows PCs, and it will get access to Meta Quest Plus, the brand’s VR gaming subscription service that offers two curated games a month for just $7.99.
Meta Quest 3 vs. Meta Quest 2
Meta has announced that the Quest 2 will continue to serve as the entry point into the metaverse, with the Quest 3 providing the ultimate Meta Quest experience. The Quest 3 has a higher price point than the Quest 2, but the technology on offer could be a quiet revolution for all-in-one VR headsets. Meta has also announced that it may give away the Elite Strap, one of its best Quest 2 accessories, for free to select users.
Meta Quest 3 vs. Apple Vision Pro
Apple has announced its first-ever headset, the Apple Vision Pro, which, like the Meta Quest 3, showcases mixed reality features. The two headsets are genuinely different, and it’s not just about the price tag and specs. Both headsets tackle the issue of experiencing mixed reality in notably different ways.
Meta Quest 3 Outlook
The Meta Quest 3 is expected to be a solid improvement over its predecessor, with a growing library of Quest VR games to tap into. Although the higher price point may be a bit hard to swallow, the technology on offer could be a quiet revolution for all-in-one VR headsets. If Meta can continue to build out the VR experiences and ecosystem, the Quest 3 could be the headset to drive forward a move to the metaverse.
In conclusion, the Meta Quest 3 is an exciting new addition to the VR headset market, offering updated designs and features to provide a high-quality VR experience. With its next-generation Snapdragon chip and high-resolution display, the Meta Quest 3 could be the headset to beat this fall.
