Meta Quest 3
| Codename | "Stinson" "Eureka" |
|---|---|
| Type | Virtual reality headset |
| Introductory price | US$499.99 |
| System on a chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Predecessor | Quest 2 |
| Website | www |
The Meta Quest 3 is a virtual reality (VR) headset developed by Reality Labs, a division of Meta Platforms. It was unveiled on June 1, 2023, and is expected to be released in late 2023.
Specifications
Hardware
In contrast to its predecessor, the Quest 2, the Quest 3 features three pill-shaped sensors across the front. The left and right pills are color cameras, while the middle camera is a depth sensor. The depth sensor supports "environment meshing", allowing the user to interact with their environment from within the headset, while the color cameras support a better mixed reality experience. The corners of the headset adorn tracking cameras. Across the bottom of the headset is a volume rocker and a wheel to adjust the headset's pupillary distance.[1] An accompanying blog post with the Quest 3's announcement notes that it has a "40% slimmer optic profile" compared to the Quest 2.[2]
It will use the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, a system-on-chip manufactured by Qualcomm, which Meta touted as having twice the performance of the Snapdragon XR2 used by the Quest 2.[1]
The Quest 3 will ship with updated Quest Touch controllers similar in design to the Touch Pro controllers used by Meta Quest Pro, with improved haptic feedback and no tracking ring. It will be backward compatible with Touch Pro controllers.[3]
Software
The Quest 3 will feature a mixed reality system known as "Meta Reality".[4] It is backwards compatible with the Quest 2 catalog of games and apps.[5] According to VentureBeat, the Quest 3 will launch with Asgard's Wrath 2.[6] During a private presentation to employees, Meta virtual reality vice president Mark Rabkin stated that there were plans for 41 apps and games to be released at launch.[7]
Release
According to a roadmap obtained by The Verge in February 2023, Meta planned for the Quest 3, internally codenamed "Stinson", to be released later that year.[7] The Verge's roadmap corroborates with files, including schematics, of the Quest 3 shared in September 2022 by virtual reality analyst Brad Lynch.[8]
Ahead of an official announcement, Bloomberg writer Mark Gurman published a newsletter on May 28, 2023, reporting from a private event where he had received a hands-on demo of a Quest 3 prototype—codenamed "Eureka".[9][10] Ahead of a VR gaming digital presentation later that day, Meta officially revealed the Quest 3 on June 1, 2023 via a video on Mark Zuckerberg's Instagram.[11] The teaser announced that the Quest 3 would be released in late 2023, and be priced at US$499.99 for a model with 128 GB of storage (with larger storage options to be announced in the future).[12] Additional information is expected to be presented during Meta Connect on September 27, 2023.[13] Several publications noted the timing of the announcement, as it came four days prior to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)—where the company is expected to announce its own mixed reality headset.[14][15][2]
Reception
Pre-release
In a hands-on report published prior to the official unveiling, Bloomberg writer Mark Gurman found that the new design tracked his hand less accurately. Meta explained that it will improve accuracy over time.[9][10]
References
- ^ a b Gurman, Mark (May 28, 2023). "A First Look at the Headset That Could Be Apple's Biggest Competition". Bloomberg News. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Lyles, Taylor (June 1, 2023). "Meta Officially Announces the Quest 3". IGN. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Hayden, Scott (June 1, 2023). "Quest 3 is Launching with Its Own New Controllers, But Will Also Support Touch Pro". Road to VR. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Sutrich, Nicholas (June 1, 2023). "The Quest 3 has finally been unveiled and it's glorious". Android Central. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Bailey, Dustin (June 1, 2023). "Meta Quest 3 launches later this year, costs $500". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (June 1, 2023). "Mark Zuckerberg unveils $500 Meta Quest 3 launching this fall". VentureBeat. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Heath, Alex (February 28, 2023). "This is Meta's AR / VR hardware roadmap for the next four years". The Verge. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Ngan, Liv (March 2, 2023). "Meta plans Quest 3 release for this year". Eurogamer. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Hector, Hamish (May 31, 2023). "Oculus Quest 3 hands-on teases huge upgrades and one worrying downgrade". TechRadar. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "A First Look at the Headset That Could Be Apple's Biggest Competition". Bloomberg.com. May 28, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Goode, Lauren; Calore, Michael (June 1, 2023). "Meta Announces a New Quest Headset, Because Apple". Wired. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Faulkner, Cameron (June 1, 2023). "Meta announces Quest 3 VR headset". Polygon. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Davis, Wes (June 1, 2023). "Meta announces its Quest 3 VR headset, which will cost $499.99". The Verge. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Turner, Nick (June 1, 2023). "Meta Announces $500 Quest 3 Headset Just Ahead of Apple Launch". Bloomberg News. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Holt, Kris (June 1, 2023). "The Meta Quest 3 is a $499 mixed reality headset with full-color passthrough". Engadget. Retrieved June 1, 2023.