Meta has officially announced the release date of its much-anticipated Quest 3, with the product set to be available from October 10. Pre-orders are currently open for the mixed reality headset, marking it the world’s first mass-market product of its kind. The starting price for the 128GB version is $499.99 USD, while the 512GB version is available for $649.99 USD.
The Quest 3 headset offers users mixed reality experiences, allowing a combination of both virtual and real worlds. Users can engage in various activities, such as playing virtual piano or opening portals to other dimensions while remaining aware of their physical surroundings, thanks to the high-fidelity, full-color Passthrough. The feature offers over ten times more pixels compared to the Quest 2, enabling users to seamlessly switch between fully immersive and blended environments by double-tapping the side of the headset.
Performance and Display
Meta Quest 3 is powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, offering double the graphic processing power of its predecessor, the Quest 2. It aims to provide users with fast load times and detailed visuals in immersive games.
The headset also features a 4K+ Infinite Display, with a nearly 30% increase in resolution compared to Meta Quest 2, achieving 25 pixels per degree and 1,218 pixels per inch. The visual improvements in Quest 3 are designed to enhance the user’s interactive experience, supported by a slimmer optic profile due to the next-gen pancake lens optical stack, resulting in a 40% reduction compared to Quest 2.
Comfort and Customization
Quest 3 has been redesigned to offer a thinner profile with more customizable fit options and balanced weight distribution than Quest 2, aiming to accommodate users with glasses and varying face shapes and hairstyles with its soft adjustable strap design.
The new model also offers an advanced level of spatial audio with enhanced sound clarity and bass performance, and a 40% louder audio range compared to Quest 2, aimed at providing an immersive experience whether the user is gaming, watching movies, or interacting with friends.
Mixed Reality Features
The mixed reality feature in Meta Quest 3 allows users to watch immersive NBA games or engage in various experiences, all while maintaining awareness of their physical surroundings. The device enables users to choose their level of immersion from the moment the headset is put on, helping ease new users into the mixed reality offerings.
The Meta Quest 3 is set to offer advancements in mixed reality, combining enhanced visual, audio, and interactive features. With its imminent release, it represents Meta’s ongoing commitment to developing immersive technology, enabling users to experience a blend of virtual and real-world environments. The company hopes that these enhancements will make experiences more engaging and realistic, whether in gaming or collaborative work environments.
