Following a preview in June, Meta’s Quest 3 is now officially on the scene, bringing exciting developments to the world of mixed reality (MR) headsets. Quest 3 has a sleeker design compared to its predecessor and updated displays that offer 2208 x 2064 pixel resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate and an experimental 120Hz mode. This upgrade offers a field of view with 110° horizontal and 96° vertical perspective.
One of the highlights of the Quest 3 is the Pancake lens design, which significantly reduces the optical profile and makes it 40% thinner compared to the Quest 2. In terms of weight, the Quest 3 weighs 515 grams, which is slightly more than the Quest 2’s 503 grams. While Quest 3 can operate independently, it also offers the option of connecting to a PC using the Quest Link cable or wirelessly via Air Link.
Quest 3 has twice the graphics processing power of its predecessor, thanks to the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset paired with 8GB DRAM. Additionally, the Quest 3 offers two RGB color cameras and a depth projector, providing a 10x increase in resolution compared to the Quest 2 and a 2x improvement over the Quest Pro in terms of switching capabilities.
In terms of audio, the headset has integrated 3D spatial audio speakers that provide an immersive auditory experience. It comes with a customizable head strap for comfort and Touch Plus controllers enhanced with TruTouch touches. Hand tracking is also supported and facilitated by four IR cameras. Meta claims an average battery life of 2.2 hours for the Quest 3, and it takes around 2.3 hours to get a full charge using the included 18W charger.
As for pricing and availability, Meta Quest 3 is available in two models: a 128GB variant priced at $500 and a 512GB model priced at $650. Pre-orders are now open and open sales will begin on October 10, offering enthusiasts the chance to immerse themselves in next-generation mixed reality experiences.
See also: Apple Vision Pro: release date, price, features and more