Meta Quest 3 seems to be like critical price range competitors for Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional By Joseph Foley revealed 15 August 23 All the pieces you’ll want to find out about Meta’s subsequent VR headset.

1 month ago 3 min read

Meta Quest 3 is predicted to be launched earlier than the top of 2023, beating Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional to the market. And whereas it is not geared toward skilled use like Apple’s upcoming mixed-reality headset, it does introduce some related design tweaks. And it’ll price lower than 1 / 4 of the worth.

Meta hasn’t but introduced a definitive launch date, however it says the Meta Quest 3 might be obtainable “this fall” ranging from $499.99. It seems to be set to construct on the 2020 Oculus Quest 2 with a slimmer, lighter design and different enhancements. This is all the things we all know to this point (see our choose of the perfect VR headsets for artwork and gaming for present choices).

Meta Quest 2 (left) beside Meta Quest 3 (proper) (Picture credit score: Meta)

Latest photographs and hands-on experiences affirm that the Meta Quest 3 might be considerably lighter and thinner than the Quest 2, with a 40% slimmer profile. This could make it extra comfy to make use of for longer durations. The strap design has additionally been modified, with the strap dividing in two in the direction of the again as an alternative of the one strap throughout the highest of the headset.

In the meantime, Meta says {that a} new Snapdragon chip provides twice the graphics efficiency of the Quest 2. By way of options, it provides a few of these promised by the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, together with hand-tracking and pass-through video capabilities.

There are three new sensor areas on the entrance that maintain 4 cameras and a depth sensor. In the meantime, the Contact Plus controllers have TruTouch haptics with out the rings that the Quest 2 controllers have for positional monitoring.

In a hands-on report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated the pass-through video was “nearly lifelike,” and the headset had made enhancements in how the cameras take care of mild and color. Quest 2 video games will work on the machine.

Meta says that the Meta Quest 3 might be launched in autumn 2023. The Meta Join 2023 occasion has been scheduled for 27 September and we count on extra particulars together with a particular launch date to be introduced then. Our greatest guess is that the headset might be launched in October or November.

It is attainable that the occasion will see the announcement of latest software program and presumably new {hardware} too, however a Meta Quest Professional 2 doesn’t appear to be coming anytime quickly.

Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 and Contact Plus Controllers (Picture credit score: Meta)

Meta has introduced that the beginning worth of the Meta Quest 3 might be $499.99 / £499.99 for a 128GB version. A minimum of one different configuration with extra space for storing might be obtainable at a worth that is not but been confirmed.

It is a bit of a worth bump from the Quest 2, which was $200 cheaper on launch. Nonetheless, it is a third of the Quest Professional’s launch worth of $1,499.99 (though the Quest Professional obtained a worth reduce to $999.99 / £949.99 in March) and fewer than 1 / 4 of the rumoured $3,000 that Apple is predicted to cost for the Imaginative and prescient Professional.

The Quest 2 will nonetheless be obtainable, now again at its authentic worth of $299.99 / £299.99 for the 128GB model following a worth hike final 12 months. The worth of the 256GB model has been decreased to $349.99 / £349.99 (see beneath for the perfect present costs in your area, and likewise see our choose of the perfect VR apps).