Meta Quest 3 is a Virtual Reality (VR) headset developed by Reality Labs, a division of Meta Platforms(Mark Zuckerberg’s). It was unveiled on June 1, 2023, and released on October 10, succeeding the Quest 2 as the third generation of the Meta Quest line. As with its predecessors, the Quest 3 is a standalone device running Meta Horizon OS, a derivative of Android Open Source Project (AOSP); VR games and apps can be run natively on the headset, or streamed from a gaming PC over USB-C or Wi-Fi. The Quest 3 features updated hardware with elements of the Quest Pro, including a thinner form factor and lenses, and additional sensors and color passthrough cameras intended for mixed reality (MR) software.
—Technology—
The system-on-chip is beefier, boasting the second-generation Snapdragon XR2, fabricated with a 7-nm process, and 8 GB of RAM. Compared to the Quest 2, with its 10-nm, 6-GB RAM SoC, the Quest 3 feels far zippier and more responsive. It’s quicker to load apps and delivers smoother experiences once you’re in them. With screens so close to your eyes, pixels remain discernible. However, behind a pancake lens stack—adapted from the one introduced on the Quest Pro—and with an improved field of view (110 degrees horizontal and 96 degrees vertical, a 15 percent boost on the 2020 headset) and richer colors, everything is far clearer and sharper. Its physical dimensions are one set of numbers that has gotten smaller with the Quest 3. New components and thinner lenses have allowed for substantial miniaturization, resulting in a headset that’s 40 percent smaller than its predecessor. The Quest 3 brings has new color cameras for full-color pass-through and Augmented reality experiences.
- Display(2): LCD RGB – 2064x2208px – 120Hz native refresh rate
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 (4 nm) – Octa-core (1 x 3.19 GHz, 4 x 2.8 GHz, 3 x 2.0 GHz)
- Memory: 128/512GB ROM – 8GB RAM.
- Headset Battery: around 4,985 mAh (19.44 W) – lithium-ion (2 to 3 hours of use on a single charge) – 18W charging (around 2 hours for a full charge).
- Audio: Built-in stereo speakers and microphone – 3.5mm audio jack – support for 3D audio.
—Price—
Meta keeps calling the Quest 3 “the first mainstream mixed reality headset.” Strictly speaking, that’s true: at $499.99 for the model with 128GB of storage and $649.99 for 512GB, it’s a steep climb from the $299.99 Quest 2 starting price but still on the right side of the too-expensive line, especially compared to Apple’s forthcoming $3,500 Vision Pro. And unlike the mixed reality devices we’ve seen from Magic Leap, Microsoft, and so many others, an individual consumer can actually buy this one. But what Meta really wants is for this to be more than just the best reasonably priced headset. It wants the Quest 3 to be the one that makes people care about, use, and develop for mixed reality in a big way.
—Usage—
- Play higher-powered games: It has been possible to plug a Quest headset into a PC to help games run smoother or to access games that require a computer. Air Link makes that process one step easier by connecting a Quest 3 headset to a PC wirelessly. As long as your internet connection is strong, it’s the ideal way to play.
- Sync fitness data with Move: Participating in VR activities is a great way to work out. Jump into a physical game like Beat Saber, and the minutes fly by while you work up a sweat. Meta Quest Move tracks your physical activity in VR and lets you set fitness goals. You can sync it with Apple Health or Android Health Connect on your phone, or pair a Bluetooth heart-rate tracker.
- Make typing easier with Swipe Typing: It can feel a little ridiculous jabbing at a virtual keyboard key by key. Swipe Typing mode makes spelling a word faster and easier, allowing you to swipe across the keyboard with your finger or controller much as you would on a smartphone.
- If you’re color blind, there’s a helpful mode for that: Under the accessibility settings, you can choose from four different color-correction options. Vision settings also allow for changes to the screen’s contrast.
- Huge amount of work: lots of screens in various apps. Also for meeting a bunch of folks spread around the world. I’m very pleasantly surprised by the quality of workrooms.
—Quest 2 vs Quest 3—
But let’s talk about the most significant difference between the two: the Quest 3 supports mixed-reality experiences while its predecessor only supports immersive VR content. In other words, with the Quest 3, VR gaming will incorporate the room you’re standing in — the Quest 2 can’t do the same.
- Quest 2: 1832×1920 resolution , up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Quest 3: 2064×2208 resolution with 90Hz refresh rate
- Quest 2: Snapdragon XR2 processor
- Quest 3: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Quest 2: 128GB or 256GB storage
- Quest 3: 128GB or 512GB storage
- Quest 2: 6GB RAM
- Quest 3: 8GB RAM
- Quest 2: 2-3 hours of battery life
- Quest 3: 2-3 hours of battery life
There’s really no reason to waste time on this. The Quest 3 is a better headset specs-wise than the Quest 2 because it’s several years newer. That’s no slight on the Quest 2, which was a perfectly good untethered VR headset when it came out and is still a solid one today. But the Quest 3 has better screen resolution, a stronger processor, more storage, and more memory. Quest 3 starts at $500 and goes all the way up to $650 if you want more storage. Quest 2, meanwhile, is a measly $300 by comparison. This is the reason why I keep insisting Quest 2 is still worth considering. It’s a substantially cheaper headset that’s already proven itself over the years, with strong functionality and a robust library of games and experiences. If you have never tried VR before, it’s a really great way to get your foot in the door.
—Apple vs Meta—
The Vision Pro, which feels like an iOS device in mixed-reality headset form, seems like the beginning of an entirely new proposition. Its displays are fantastic, as is the way it multitasks apps. Its eye and hand tracking, while handling FaceTime and more with virtual Persona avatars, can feel like a revelation. But if you want something affordable you can use to play with mixed reality and games and fitness right now (with a few work-related benefits, too), the choice should be the Quest 3 for nearly everyone. Here’s why. The Vision Pro and Quest 3 can play 2D games on virtual big screens with paired controllers: the Quest 3 has Steam Link and Xbox cloud gaming, but Vision Pro is limited to Apple Arcade, iOS and whatever you might run from a MacBook. Don’t get a Vision Pro for games. Get a Quest 3.Some quick math tells me that the $500 Meta Quest 3 is significantly cheaper than the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro. Zuckerberg wasn’t wrong to use that as his starting argument. The price gap should also indicate to you how vastly different the two headsets are, and how Apple competing with Meta is more of a narrative than anything else. Put simply, the Vision Pro is intended for technology enthusiasts who want to leverage Apple’s spatial computing platform for work, media, and communications. Quest 3 offers similar functionality (and then some) but at a lesser quality — whether that’s display resolution, spatial audio playback, or processing speed.
—Conclusion—
All that is to say that the Meta Quest 3 is the best in its price category — as is the Quest 2 in the $200-$300 tier — but even enthusiasts and users who live on the bleeding edge should consider the latest Meta headset if they want to dabble in virtual and mixed-reality experiences. This Meta Quest 3 is best for your money. 🙂
Article Written By V.Harishram
