Sneaking Apple, is Meta Quest 3 worth the wait? Meta's first consumer-grade MR headset

What are the highlights of the just released Meta Quest3?

Written by: Dan Grabham

Compilation: Heart of the Metaverse

Just four days before Apple's WWDC conference, Meta suddenly announced their next headset last night: Meta Quest 3, and said that the device is "the first high-resolution color mixed reality." . Earlier, it was revealed that Apple will launch an MR headset at the WWDC 2023 conference.

This wave of early runs undoubtedly reveals Meta's determination to compete with Apple's headsets. There is PSVR2 in the front, Apple MR headset in the back, and what are the highlights of Meta Quest3 worth paying attention to, let's find out.

Meta's most powerful headset ever

It's a mixed reality (MR) headset that uses Meta Reality technology, but it also supports virtual reality (VR), so it can be used for both types of games and apps.

In fact, the part of the Meta Corporation formerly known as Oculus says it will reveal more information at the company's Meta Connect presentation on September 27, so we expect the Quest 3 launch date to be shortly after that.

Meta Quest 3 Overview

Here are some technical and spec details for Meta Quest 3:

*Pricing starts at $499.99 for the 128GB version of the headset. There will also be a version with higher storage capacity, the exact capacity has not yet been determined.

• It's powered by the next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon XR chip, delivering twice the graphics performance compared to Quest 2.
• This headset is a Mixed Reality (MR) device with Meta Reality technology and also supports Virtual Reality (VR).
• The headset features a "thinner, more comfortable" form factor, and Meta says it's 40 percent thinner than previous versions thanks to a flat-panel lens design.
• This headset offers higher resolution than Quest 2. It also offers high-fidelity color see-through capabilities that can blend the real world with the virtual.

• Device features 4MP RGB color camera, depth sensor and 10x more see-through pixels than Quest 2.
• Quest 3 uses a redesigned (no surround!) Touch Plus controller, but the Quest Pro's Touch Pro controller can also be used if desired. The Touch Plus controller also uses the TruTouch haptic technology that debuted on the Touch Pro. The device also supports direct touch (Direct Touch) hand tracking, so users don't necessarily need to use a controller.
• Quest 3 is backwards compatible with over 500 VR games and apps for Quest 2. *Quest 3 will be available in all countries that currently support Meta Quest.

Meta Quest 3 Price

Mark Zuckerberg has previously said that Meta Quest 3 will be priced in the $300 to $500 range, but we didn't expect it to be right at the top end of that price range -- $499.99.

This is a relatively high price and will inevitably draw comparisons to the Sony PlayStation VR 2. We've heard that the price of the Quest 2 may drop to $299, which would make consumers slightly more interested in virtual reality more inclined to buy.

The current Oculus Quest 2 has been marked down to $299, which makes the price even more reasonable.

Quest 3 Design

The Quest 3 is definitely sleeker than other Oculus/Meta headsets—the headset is 40 percent thinner than the Quest 2, thanks to the lens technology used (more on that below).

The Quest 3 uses a more ergonomically designed version of the Touch Plus controller (the Quest Pro's Touch Pro controller can also be used if desired). It's worth noting that there are no external tracking rings on these controllers right now. This makes them more like a natural extension of the user's hand, Meta says. They also take up less space.

Quest 3 hardware device

The Quest 3's hardware is equipped with several notable features that enhance the overall experience for users. Here are some key aspects of the Quest 3 hardware:

1. High-Resolution Display: This headset offers a higher-resolution display than its predecessor, the Quest 2. This higher pixel density results in sharper and more detailed images, providing users with a more immersive virtual reality experience.

2. Next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon XR chip: Quest 3 is driven by the next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon XR chip. The chip offers twice the graphics performance of Quest 2, resulting in smoother performance and more realistic graphics for games and applications.

3. Slimner Design: Quest 3 has a slimmer, more comfortable design. The pancake lens design makes the headset 40 percent thinner than the Quest 2, making it lighter and more ergonomic for prolonged wear.

4. Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality Support: Quest 3 is a Mixed Reality (MR) headset powered by Meta Reality technology. It combines elements of MR and virtual reality (VR), allowing users to experience the fusion of real world and virtual content.

5. High-fidelity color see-through: The head-mounted device provides high-fidelity color see-through function, which can seamlessly integrate the real world with the virtual environment. This feature enhances the immersion and realism of the virtual experience.

6. Upgraded Tracking and Controllers: Quest 3 features an improved Touch Plus controller that provides more natural and intuitive interaction with virtual objects. Additionally, Quest Pro's Touch Pro controllers are also compatible with Quest 3.

7. BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY: Quest 3 is backwards compatible with Quest 2's catalog of over 500 VR games and apps. Users can continue to enjoy existing VR content on the new headset.

These Quest 3 hardware improvements provide users with a more advanced and immersive virtual reality experience, offering improved graphics, comfort and interaction features.

“Fundamentally, our vision is to allow users to travel through all of reality in an intuitive and enjoyable way.” This is a relatively biased thinking of Mark Rabkin, Meta’s vice president of virtual reality. He said that Quest 3 will go beyond the stereotypes of "virtual reality" and "mixed reality" to provide a true next-generation experience that allows users to easily blend the physical and virtual worlds.

“Meta Reality brings users the magic of deeply immersive virtual reality, but also gives users the freedom and fun to use MR to make the physical world more interesting and useful. We are excited about what developers and creators can build on the Quest platform.” expect."

Quest 3 Apps and Games

As reported by The Verge's Alex Heath in early 2023, Mark Rabkin, Meta's VP of VR, said there will be "41 new apps and games coming to the Quest 3 platform"**.

We learned a lot about the Quest 3 game at the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase. Meta talks about 16 games, including new titles, updates, and remakes of classics.

The event's most significant reveals were Asgard's Wrath 2 and Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR. There's also Stranger Things VR, I Expect You to Die 3: Cogs in the Machine, and The Seventh Guest.

We've also learned that Quest 3 is compatible with the current Quest 2 app and game library, which contains over 500 apps and games. When announcing Quest 3, Meta listed the following examples: "Now you can play the virtual board game Demeo on your kitchen table, decorate virtual art in your living room with Paint VR, or immerse yourself in a fully immersive to do something that would otherwise be impossible in a world of your own. The choice is yours.”

At the Meta Connect event in 2022, the company explained that they worked with Microsoft to develop some additional features. Many of these features are related to Office, but also integrate with Xbox Game Pass. The feature is gradually rolling out to Quest 2, so we're confident we'll see it in Quest 3 as well.

**Is Meta Quest 3 worth the wait? **

Meta Quest 3 is supposed to be a huge consumer VR headset. While it may lack some of the better gear, like foveated rendering and eye tracking, it will bring a higher level of visual fidelity through the boost of mundane lenses, allowing for some of the best wireless VR experiences around.

The Quest 3 is pricey, but a thinner, lighter headset with full-color see-through capabilities, a new chipset, and exclusive gaming features sounds appealing, and it does point to the next step in mixed reality , we think the wait for Meta's popular line of VR headsets is definitely worth it.