Updated: August 4, 2023 (11:55 AM ET): Our Meta Quest 3 rumor hub has been refreshed with new insights on the headset and controllers, gathered from FCC filings.
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The Meta Quest 2 has been on the market for quite some time now. It has even gone through a rebranding, from the Oculus Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 2. Despite being available for only three years since its launch in late 2020, the hardware is starting to show its age. Consequently, it is time for its successor, the Meta Quest 3, to take the spotlight. With Meta’s official announcement of the Quest 3, we have compiled all the essential details about this new VR device.
Meta Quest 3: Release Date, Price, and Availability
Meta unveiled the Meta Quest 3 on June 1, 2023. Although the next-generation mixed-reality headset is not yet available for purchase, interested customers can sign up for updates. The social media giant has mentioned that there will be multiple storage options, but pricing details have only been revealed for the base 128GB model, priced at $499.99. This is $200 more expensive than the launch price of the Quest 2. Initially, Meta had targeted a price range of $300-$500, and unfortunately, it has fallen into the higher end of that spectrum. A solid release date has not yet been announced, but more information will be disclosed during this year’s Meta Connect conference on September 27, 2023.
According to Mark Rabkin’s interview with The Verge earlier this year, Meta is developing two other headsets, in addition to the Quest 3. One of these devices is a more affordable variant internally known as Ventura and is expected to launch in 2024. If the $499 price tag of the Meta Quest 3 is too expensive, it might be worth waiting for the arrival of this cheaper model next year.
Meta Quest 3: Specs
While Meta has not provided detailed specifications for the Quest 3, it has given some vague descriptions of the device. It is said to feature “our highest resolution display and pancake optics” and be powered by a “next-generation Snapdragon chipset.” Additionally, the optic profile of the headset is 40% slimmer, and the controllers boast TruTouch haptics. Since official information is scarce, we must rely on leaks and interviews for further details.
It is rumored that the Quest 3 will have a resolution of either 4,128 x 2,208 pixels or 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye. This would be a 30% improvement over the Quest 2’s 1,920 x 1,832 pixels per eye. The display technology might be uOLED, OLED, or mini-LED, with a potential 120Hz refresh rate, similar to the upgrade the Quest 2 received in 2021.
Leaked information suggests that the Quest 3 will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, a variant of the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip found in this year’s most powerful smartphones. This upgrade would provide a significant performance boost compared to the Quest 2’s XR2 Gen 1 chip, which is equivalent to the Snapdragon 865 chip found in devices like the Samsung Galaxy S20.
The Touch Plus controllers have recently received FCC approval. The listing confirms that these controllers will use one AA battery each and operate on the same 2.4 GHz wireless spectrum as Meta’s previous controllers. The Meta Quest 3 headset has also passed FCC certification, suggesting support for Wi-Fi 6E and a reduction in interference from other devices.
In terms of storage options, one variant with 128GB is confirmed, while rumors suggest a potential 512GB model as well.
Meta Quest 3: Features
The Meta Quest 3 follows the all-in-one headset approach of its predecessor, meaning that everything you need is contained within the headset itself. No cables or connection to a console or computer are necessary. This generation of the Quest introduces several new features, including hand tracking and full-color passthrough, among others. Let’s dive into these features, starting with the design.
Design
A side-by-side comparison clearly shows that the new Meta Quest 3 is significantly thinner. It is also reported to be noticeably lighter, which is crucial for a device that is worn on the face. Despite these physical changes, the Quest 3 retains some design elements from its predecessor. Notably, a dial located at the bottom serves as an interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment wheel, as highlighted in CAD images shared by YouTuber SadlyItsBradley (Brad Lynch). The headset is also equipped with a four-camera array, including two side cameras for tracking and a depth sensor. Interestingly, the necessary components for eye and face tracking are absent, despite Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizing the importance of these features during the Meta Connect 2022 keynote. This absence may come as a surprise to some.
The controllers have also undergone a slight redesign. The Touch Plus controllers for the Quest 3 no longer feature the halo used for tracking, relying instead on in-air hand tracking. Meta claims that advancements in tracking technology have allowed them to streamline and enhance the ergonomics of the controllers by removing the rings. Alternatively, the fully self-tracked Touch Pro controllers can be used with the headset.
Performance
Meta states that the Quest 3 delivers “twice the graphical performance as the previous generation Snapdragon GPU in Quest 2.” According to Gurman’s hands-on experience, while the screen clarity may appear similar to the Quest 2, the improved performance becomes evident due to the second-generation Snapdragon XR2 chipset. This translates to faster app launching, system navigation, and smoother gameplay.
Mixed Reality
The Quest 3 incorporates depth sensors for mixed reality purposes. Meta has expressed a strong focus on mixed reality, aiming to make it feel more natural and accessible. One way Meta tackles this is by enhancing the passthrough mode, known as “guardian.” In the past, this mode displayed the real world in black and white. However, Meta now promises high-fidelity color passthrough, leveraging machine learning and spatial understanding to enable interaction with both virtual and physical objects. This makes the Quest 3 the first mainstream headset to offer high-resolution, color passthrough. According to Gurman, the video passthrough provides more accurate colors and an almost lifelike rendering of the real world. Additionally, there is mention of environmental meshing, where the headset identifies real-world walls to incorporate them into gameplay.
New Games and Apps
The announcement of Meta’s third-generation Quest came just before Summer Game Fest, which signifies the shift in the gaming industry’s June news cycle from E3 dominance to other video game showcases. As a result, we can expect to hear more about the games coming to the Quest 3 in the upcoming week. Meta held its Meta Quest Gaming Showcase event immediately after revealing the headset, showcasing 25 games that will be available on the Quest 3. Some notable titles include Asgard’s Wrath 2, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, Stranger Things VR, Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire, and Vampire: The Masquerade — Justice. The remaining game titles announced are Samba de Amigo, I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine, UNDERDOGS, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost… [HTML tags remain unchanged].
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Alex Smith is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including technology, business, and personal finance. His work has been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and he is also the author of two books. Alex is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and he believes that writing is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.
