Meta Quest 3: everything you need to know about the upcoming VR headset
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has been one of the leading players in the virtual reality (VR) industry with its popular Quest line of standalone VR headsets.
The Meta Quest 2, released in October 2020, was a huge success with its affordable price, high performance, and wireless freedom. selling over 10 million units since its release, it quickly became the most popular HMD to hit the consumer VR industry.
However, Meta is not resting on its laurels and is already working on its next-generation VR headset: the Meta Quest 3.
But what can we expect from the Meta Quest 3? How will it improve on the Quest 2? And when will it be available?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more based on the latest facts, rumors, and leaks.
When Will The Meta Quest 3 Be Released?
The Meta Quest 3 is expected to be released later this year (2023), according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The set official release date of the Meta Quest 3 has not been confirmed yet, but some sources suggest that it might arrive as early as October 2023. This would follow the same pattern as the previous Quest devices, which were also released in October of their respective years. However, other sources claim that the Quest 3 might be delayed until 2024 due to supply chain issues and technical challenges.
How Much Will It Cost?
The price of the Meta Quest 3 is also unknown at this point, but it is likely to be higher than the Quest 2, which currently costs $299 for the 64GB model and $399 for the 256GB model.
Zuckerberg has admitted that the Quest 3 will be more expensive than its predecessor due to its advanced features and components. It will be a significant upgrade over the Quest 2 in terms of design, features, and performance- which we'll cover in more detail below.
Some analysts estimate that the Quest 3 could cost between $400 and $500, making it a premium VR headset for enthusiasts. This could also mean a further reduction in the price of the Quest and Quest 2 HMDs after the launch of the Quest 3, so be on the lookout for that.
Design And Comfort
The Meta Quest 3 will feature a sleeker and more comfortable design than the Quest 2.
It will use pancake optics instead of Fresnel lenses to reduce the device's profile and weight. Pancake optics are thin lenses that bend light using mirrors rather than refraction, resulting in a smaller profile and less weight for the headset. The pancake optics will also improve image quality by reducing glare and distortion to improve the user experience.
The Quest 2 was criticized for its front-heavy design, which made it uncomfortable to wear for extended periods with the default fabric head strap. As a result, Meta has designed a better strap system for the Quest 3. It will use a rigid halo strap that wraps around your head for more stability and comfort, alongside built-in speakers for immersive audio.
The Meta Quest 3 will come in two colors: black and white. The black version will have a matte finish while the white version will have a glossy finish.
Display
The Meta Quest 3 will have a higher resolution display than the QHD LCD panel of the Quest 2 (1832 x1920 pixels per eye). Some reports indicate that the Meta Quest 3 will use either an OLED panel with RGB subpixels or a micro-LED panel with full-color passthrough mode. Both options would offer better contrast, color accuracy, and refresh rate (up to 120Hz) than the LCD panel of the Quest 2 (90Hz).
The Micro LED panel would also enable full-colour passthrough mode, which allows users to see their real surroundings through their headset without taking it off. This would be a big step up from the Quest 2, which only features a black-and-white passthrough, and would be a step towards Mixed Reality integration.
Full-colour passthrough will allow developers to make entertainment and productivity experiences more immersive than ever, bringing the real world into VR and allowing you to interact seamlessly with both at once.
Audio
The Meta Quest 3 will have improved audio quality and spatial sound compared to the Quest 2. Whether you're listening for enemy footsteps in Pavlov VR, or the sound of leaves rustling from trees in a virtual meadow, the Quest 3 will be a big step up from the Quest 2.
The headset will feature four speakers instead of two, providing richer sound effects and music for VR experiences. The headset will also support Dolby Atmos technology, which creates immersive soundscapes by simulating sounds from different directions and distances.
Currently, many VR users opt to use a separate set of headphones with the Quest 2 to achieve the same effect; Dolby Atmos technology will be a native feature of the newly improved speakers, providing an improved audio experience built directly into the headset.
Power and Performance
The Meta Quest 3 will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2 gen 2 chip platform as its processor. This is the second generation of the same platform used by the Quest 2, with higher clock speeds and better cooling systems. The XR2 platform has long been hailed the king of mobile processors, and the Gen 2 chip featured in the Quest 3 will be no exception.
The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform supports up to eight CPU cores, two times faster graphics rendering, six times higher resolution display output, four times video bandwidth, six times AI performance improvement compared to previous generations.
This will result in a massive performance boost in all areas: the extra cores allow for greater multitasking potential, and the increase in graphics rendering and display output will allow the headset to run higher-quality apps, games, and experiences, resulting in a higher level of immersion than ever before.
Battery Life
It's always frustrating to be in the middle of an intense game of Table Tennis VR or a business meeting in Immersed VR, only to see the 20% battery warning appear. Scrambling to find a power bank so you can continue without the headset dying can break the immersion significantly.
But don't fear, the Meta Quest 3 will have a larger battery capacity than the Quest 2. It is estimated that it will last up to three hours of continuous use on a single charge, letting you get more done before stopping to recharge. It can also be recharged quickly with USB-C fast charging technology (via link cable or another fast-charge capable USB-C cable) to get you back in the game ASAP.
Should I Buy The Quest 2 Now, Or Wait For The Meta Quest 3?
The answer? It depends.
The Meta Quest 2 is still an incredibly powerful standalone VR headset that can run almost all of the latest and greatest VR experiences. Coming in at £399/$399, it will almost definitely be cheaper than the Quest 3 at release- however, analysts have speculated that the Quest 2 may get a further price reduction just after the launch of the Quest 3.
So, if you are looking to pick up your first VR headset this year, you may want to hold off until October time for some potential savings. Unless you are an avid VR enthusiast or want to experience the very best quality games and experiences the VR industry has to offer, the Meta Quest 2 will suit your needs and more.
For hardcore VR enthusiasts, the Quest 3 is an incredibly promising device that offers some exciting new prospects we are yet to see in a standalone headset in this price range. Full-colour passthrough opens the doors to immersive Mixed Reality (XR) experiences, whilst the cutting-edge display and performance specs will ensure that the headset remains future-proof for years to come.
As we enter the era of the metaverse, the Meta Quest 3 has the potential to be one of the best HMDs with its incredible price: performance, and innovative features- the potential of which we will see in the near future.