Meta Quest 3
| Meta Quest 3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | VR |
| Type | head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR |
| Platform | Meta Quest |
| Manufacturer | Meta Platforms |
| Announcement Date | June 1, 2023 |
| Release Date | October 10, 2023 |
| Price | $499 |
| Website | meta.com |
| Predecessor | Meta Quest 2 |
| Successor | Meta Quest 4 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Android |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| CPU | Octa-core Kryo (1 x 3.19 GHz, 4 x 2.8 GHz, 3 x 2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | 2 x LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Resolution | 2064x2208 per-eye |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Image | |
| Horizontal FoV | 110° |
| Visible FoV | 110° (horizontal), 96° (vertical) |
| Peak Pixel Density | 25 PPD |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pancake lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 58-71 mm |
| Passthrough | Dual 18 PPD color passthrough cameras |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6 DoF Inside-out via 4 integrated cameras |
| Base Stations | No |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated stereo speakers |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Connectivity | |
| Ports | USB Type-C, charging contacts |
| Wired Video | USB Type-C |
| Wireless Video | WiFi streaming |
| WiFi | WiFi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Battery Life | 2.2 hours |
| Charge Time | 2.3 hours |
| Device | |
| Weight | 515g (with headstrap) |
| Material | Plastic, foam facial interface |
| Headstrap | Flexible fabric strap |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | White |
| Input | 2 x Meta Quest Touch Plus Controllers |
Contents
Specifications
Display and Optics
- Resolution: Each eye of the Meta Quest 3 is treated to a resolution of 2064x2208, amounting to a total of approximately 9.11 million pixels.
- Field of View: The headset provides an estimated 110° horizontal and 96° vertical field of view.
- Refresh Rate: A high refresh rate of 120 Hz enhances the smoothness of visual experiences.
- Optics: Utilizing pancake lenses, the Meta Quest 3 offers improved visual clarity and user comfort.
Build and Design
- Weight: The headset weighs 515 grams, including the headstrap.
- Materials: Constructed with plastic and a foam facial interface, the design focuses on user comfort.
- Headstrap: A flexible fabric strap is included for secure and comfortable fitting.
Performance and Hardware
- Chipset: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, the Meta Quest 3 offers robust performance.
- Memory and Storage: It comes with 8 GB of memory and options for 128 GB or 512 GB of storage.
- Battery Life: The device offers up to 2.2 hours of battery life with a charge time of 2.3 hours.
- Tracking: 6DoF inside-out tracking is enabled via four integrated cameras, alongside hand tracking capabilities.
Controllers
- Meta Quest Touch Plus Controllers: Two 6DoF controllers are included, featuring capacitive buttons, joysticks, and touchpads for immersive interaction.
Overview
Quest 3 presents itself as a next-generation VR headset, particularly in terms of hardware. Priced at $500, it is a substantial improvement over its predecessor, Quest 2, which was priced at $300. The Quest 3 boasts impressive hardware, comparable to a cheaper version of the Quest Pro, albeit without eye-tracking and face-tracking features. Despite these omissions, Quest 3 remains a favorable choice even if priced similarly to the Quest Pro.
Key Improvements in Hardware
The Quest 3 showcases several advancements in its hardware:
- Lenses: A significant improvement over the Quest 2, offering wider field-of-view and reduced glare.
- Resolution and Clarity: Though not massively higher than Quest 2, the Quest 3 provides improved clarity and a reduction in screen-door effect.
- Ergonomics: Despite minimal ergonomic advancements, the adaptability of the headset for individual users is enhanced.
- Field-of-View: Improved eye-relief settings contribute to a wider field-of-view.
- Audio: The built-in audio quality and volume have been notably improved.
Controllers and Processor
- Controllers: The new Touch Plus controllers offer better haptics and an improved form-factor.
- Processor: The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip provides a significant leap in graphical horsepower, with 2.6x the capability of its predecessor and 33% more CPU power.
Software Potential
While the hardware of Quest 3 is commendable, its software is yet to fully leverage the headset's capabilities. The transition for developers from targeting Quest 2’s hardware to optimizing for Quest 3 will take time. The launch of the headset did not coincide with a substantial amount of content specifically enhanced for Quest 3, leading to a gap in experiencing the full potential of the hardware.
Passthrough and Mixed Reality
Quest 3's passthrough view has improved but still faces limitations, particularly in terms of motion blur and depth cues. The lack of occlusion support further detracts from the immersive experience. The mixed reality capabilities, though still in early stages, show promise with features like room scanning and the ability to suggest playspace boundaries.
Market Position and Recommendation
Despite its shortcomings at launch, the Quest 3 stands out as the best standalone headset currently available. Its potential for growth and improvement, similar to the enhancements seen in Quest 2 over its lifetime, makes it a recommendable option over its predecessor. The Quest 3 is expected to significantly evolve in terms of software and mixed reality experiences within a year of its release.
