Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently unveiled the upcoming Meta Quest 3, the next-generation virtual and mixed reality headset.
Set to be released later this year, the Quest 3 promised high resolutions, improved performance, implementation of Meta Reality technology, and a slimmer, more comfortable design without the need for wires. The headset will be available in all countries where the Meta Quest in currently supported starting in the fall, with prices for the 128GB version starting at $499.99. Additional storage options will also be offered. Further details regarding the Quest 3 will be shared during the Meta Connect event on the 27th September.
The Quest 3 houses Meta’s highest resolution display and pancake optics, resulting in enhanced visual quality for the user. Powered by a next-generation Snapdragon chipset developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, the new headset delivers more than double the graphical performance of its predecessor, the Quest 2. This provides smoother performance and sharper details in immersive VR and AR games.
One of the more standout features of the Quest 3 is its Meta Reality technology, which enables the blending of the physical and virtual worlds in a much more seamless method. The technology is a leap forward in current mixed reality capabilities, intelligently understanding and responding to objects in the physical space around the user. This allows users to navigate their surroundings in a natural and intuitive way, opening more ways to interact in both virtual and physical environments. Utilising high-fidelity colour passthrough technology, machine learning, and spatial understanding, users can simultaneously engage with virtual content and the real world, creating a more immersive experience.
Design with user comfort and control in mind, and building upon feedback, the Quest 3 has a 40% slimmer optic profile compared to the previous model. The Touch Plus controllers have also been completely redesigned for a more ergonomic form factor, providing a more natural and comfortable experience for the user. The Quest 3 can be expanded upon with the inclusion of TruTouch haptics, to provide enhanced tactile feedback, making virtual actions feel more realistic. The new headset will also support hand tracking, allowing users to interact with virtual objects without the need of controllers.
The Quest 3 maintains compatibility with the Quest 2 content library, which includes over 500 VR games, apps, and experiences. Meta is committed to expanding this library with new VR and MR titles to ensure a competitive range of immersive content.
Changes to the Meta Quest 2
In addition to the Quest 3 announcement, Meta has also announced lower prices for the Meta Quest 2. Prices will soon start at $299.99 for the 128GB version and $349.99 for the 256GB version, the hope being that this will make VR more accessible to a wider audience. Meta has also improved the performance of the Quest 2 and Quest Pro models by upgrading the GPU and CPU, meaning a 26% improvement to CPU performance and a 19% boost to GPU speeds. Dynamic Resolution Scaling has also been enabled, allowing games and apps to take advantage of higher pixel density without sacrificing framerates.
Meta will continue to sell the Quest 2 and Quest Pro alongside the Quest 3, ensuring options for different budgets and use-cases. The Quest Pro will remain optimised for work-related applications, featuring face and eye tracking for authentic self-expression during meetings. Meta remains committed to delivering software updates to these older devices to enhance the overall Quest family.
With the Meta Quest 3 on the horizon, Meta signed off saying how it is pleased to “welcome even more people into the Meta Quest Community.”
