Announced back in June, Meta has finally launched its new headset, the Quest 3, the successor to the Quest 2. But unlike its predecessor, the Quest 3 is a mixed-reality headset like the Apple Vision Pro. Mixed reality (MR) is a new technology that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Meta calls the Quest 3 the “world’s first mass-market mixed reality headset,” and the company has made a number of improvements to make it worthy of that title. Let’s take a closer look.
Meta Quest 3 Specifications
To begin with, the Quest 3 has two new full-color cameras on the front of the headset that deliver vastly improved passthrough video. This means you can now see your real-world surroundings much more clearly, which is excellent for mixed-reality experiences and finding your way around your playspace.
However, the Quest 3 does not yet fully support augmented reality. Instead, you can double-tap the side of the headset to switch between a fully immersive VR mode or a mixed reality experience, which Meta calls a blended environment.
Meta has also focused on improving the lenses in the Quest 3, which now use pancake optics for sharper, higher-resolution images. This also makes for a slimmer optic profile compared to the Quest 2, which we suppose, will make the headset more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Likewise, the Quest 3 has a new 4K+ Infinite Display (two displays with 2064 × 2208 resolution per eye), which Meta says offers a 30% improvement in visual resolution over the Quest 2. It is also powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and packs 8GB of RAM. Meta says the SoC offers doubles the graphics performance over the Quest 2.
In addition to these major improvements, the Quest 3 also has a number of other smaller changes, such as a 40 percent louder audio range than the Quest 2, a more balanced weight distribution, and a new Lens Distance Adjustment Wheel for more precise IPD (interpupillary distance) fine-tuning.
The Quest 3 is also getting new Touch Plus controllers. The new controllers do away with the large tracking ring in favor of infrared sensors that track your position. They also have improved haptics, so you should be able to get more visceral vibrations as you play games.
Meta Quest 3 Price and Availability
The Meta Quest 3 starts at $499.99 for the 128GB version and $649.99 for the 512GB version. Both are available for pre-order now on the official Meta Quest website, and shipping is expected to start on October 10.
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