Unleashing the Ultimate Adventure: Meta Quest 3 Launch Revealed

Highlights

The company's latest mainstream mixed reality headset, Meta Quest 3, offers significant enhancements compared to the previous Quest 2. It boasts a more robust processor, improved displays, increased RAM, and a comparable weight.

The Quest 3 features enhanced resolution displays, offering a wider range of visuals. It boasts impressive refresh rates of 90Hz and 120Hz for smoother, more immersive experiences. Powered by a more advanced processor, it delivers exceptional performance. The passthrough functionality has also been upgraded, providing improved visibility of the real world. With a sleeker design and redesigned controllers, the Quest 3 ensures an enhanced user experience.

Pre-orders for the Quest 3 are now open and come with two storage options: 128 GB priced at $499 and 512 GB priced at $649. Shipping will commence on October 10, and for a limited time, customers will receive the acclaimed game Asgard's Wrath 2 for free. Meanwhile, the Quest 2 remains available at affordable price points.

Meta Quest 3, the company's latest mainstream mixed reality headset, is set to launch soon. Unveiled at the Meta Connect 2023 event, which began on September 27, the headset boasts significant improvements compared to its predecessor, the Quest 2. These enhancements include a more powerful processor, better displays, increased RAM, and a similar weight. Additionally, Meta announced the forthcoming release of updated Ray-Ban smart glasses and Meta AI, both of which will be integrated into the Quest 3.

Each year, Meta hosts the Meta Connect event to showcase new advancements in VR, AR, and mixed reality technology, encompassing both hardware and software. Last year, the company introduced its flagship mixed reality headset, the Meta Quest Pro, which came with a hefty price tag of $1500. Despite its impressive technology, the high cost raised concerns, resulting in a lackluster response from consumers. In response, Meta has now unveiled a more affordable headset, incorporating some of the Pro's features and targeting a wider audience.

Introducing Meta Quest 3

Unveiling the Meta Quest 3, the cutting-edge mixed-reality headset that surpasses its predecessor in every way. Immerse yourself in the future with the Quest 3, featuring enhanced visual clarity through higher resolution displays per eye and seamless 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rates. Powered by the formidable 2nd generation Snapdragon XR2 processor, this remarkable device enables native gameplay of exceptional titles like Asgard's Wrath 2. With a vivid full-color passthrough, improved controllers, and a sleeker design, the Meta Quest 3 redefines the boundaries of immersive experiences.

$500 at Amazon $499 at Best Buy $499 at Walmart

Meta Quest 3 Specifications And Design

The Meta Quest 3 is equipped with the 2nd Gen Snapdragon XR2 processor, which offers twice the GPU performance compared to the Quest 2, resulting in improved load times and graphics. Additionally, the passthrough feature has been enhanced. Unlike the fuzzy black and white passthrough of the Quest 2, the Quest 3 provides a full-color passthrough that is clear enough to use a phone while wearing the headset. It features two RGB cameras with double the resolution of the Quest Pro, along with a depth sensor for precise room mapping.

The displays of the Quest 3 have a pixel count of 2064x2208 each, providing a much sharper and clearer visual experience than the Quest 2. The new headset supports both 90Hz and experimental 120Hz refresh rates and offers a horizontal field of view of 110 degrees and a vertical field of view of 96 degrees. It also allows for lens adjustment within a range of 58mm to 71mm. The Quest 3 has 8GB of RAM (compared to 6GB on the Quest 2) and stereo speakers that deliver audio with a 40 percent louder range, bass range, and optimized L/R matching capabilities. Storage options include 128GB and 512GB. The battery life is estimated to be two to three hours, which is consistent with the Quest 2.

Introducing the Meta Quest 2 256GB.

Revolutionizing the world of standalone VR headsets, the Meta Quest 2 surpasses its predecessor with cutting-edge advancements. Departing from the traditional dual OLED screens, it embraces a state-of-the-art fast-switching LCD display, capable of delivering breathtaking visuals at an impressive 120Hz refresh rate.

Fueling this immersive experience is the powerful Snapdragon XR2 chip, meticulously crafted by Meta to unlock seamless VR encounters on the move. With the Meta Quest 2, Facebook's parent company redefines portable virtual reality, empowering users to explore limitless possibilities without boundaries.

The Meta Quest 3 is available for $348 on Amazon and $349 on Newegg. It features a Pancake lens that is identical to the one used in the Quest Pro, resulting in a slimmer design compared to the Quest 2. With a 40 percent slimmer profile, it weighs approximately 515 grams. The strap design is similar, but the reduced size should enhance the comfort level when worn on the face.

Meta Quest 3 Price And Availability

The Quest 3's controllers have undergone a redesign, eliminating the ring that previously housed the tracking LEDs found in the Quest 2. Additionally, the haptics have been enhanced. With the inclusion of gesture tracking and a total of four IR cameras and two RGB cameras, the headset now supports navigation without the need for controllers. Furthermore, it maintains backward compatibility, ensuring that the entire collection of games and apps from previous versions can be enjoyed on the Quest 3.

The Quest 3 is available in two storage variants: 128 GB and 512 GB. The 128 GB model is priced at $499, while the 512 GB model is priced at $649. Pre-orders are now open on Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and the Meta website, and shipping will begin on October 10. As a special offer, Meta is currently providing a complimentary copy of Asgard's Wrath 2 with the Quest 3 for a limited time. Meanwhile, the Quest 2 is still up for sale, with the 128 GB model priced at $299 and the 256 GB model priced at $348.