What Is The Meta Quest 3: Here’s What You Need To Know

Meta Quest 3 is the latest virtual and mixed-reality headset from Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook.

It is presented as a standalone device that does not require a PC or a smartphone to operate, and it offers a wide range of immersive experiences, such as games, social apps, entertainment, and education.

Meta Quest 3 is the successor to Meta Quest 2, which was one of the most popular and affordable VR headsets on the market.

The new version improves on many aspects of Meta Quest 2, such as visual resolution, audio quality, performance, comfort, and battery life.

It also introduces a new feature called Meta Reality, which enables a spectrum of mixed reality experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds.

For example, you can play a virtual piano on your coffee table, or see your friends’ avatars in your living room. This device brings you closer to the metaverse, where you can relate and interact in VR and AR.

So, if you are interested in VR and AR, or if you want to check out the metaverse, you should consider doing that using a Meta Quest device.

It’s one of the most advanced and accessible devices that can offer you a variety of immersive experiences that are not possible on any other platform.

Design and Features

Meta Quest 3 is a sleek and powerful VR headset that offers a range of immersive and mixed-reality experiences. Here are some of its design and features:

• The Meta Quest 3 has a 40% slimmer visor than the Quest 2, making it more comfortable and less front-heavy. It also has a redesigned soft head strap that is easier to adjust and keeps the headset firmly in place.

The headset weighs 515g, which is slightly heavier than the Quest 2’s 503g.

• The Meta Quest 3 has a 4K+ Infinite Display, which consists of two LCD displays with 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. This is a significant improvement over the Quest 2’s 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye.

The display also supports a native refresh rate of 90Hz and an experimental mode of 120Hz. The field of view is 110 degrees horizontal and 96 degrees vertical, which is wider than the Quest 2’s 100 degrees horizontal and 90 degrees vertical.

• The Meta Quest 3 has a new feature called Meta Reality, which enables a spectrum of mixed reality experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds. It uses two RGB cameras to provide a full-color passthrough, which allows you to see your surroundings in high resolution and with low latency.

You can also interact with virtual objects and avatars in your real environment, or switch between VR and AR modes seamlessly.

• The Meta Quest 3 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, which is a custom-made chip that is optimized for VR and AR performance. It has 8GB of RAM and comes in two storage options: 128GB or 512GB. It also has six cameras and wireless inside-out SLAM tracking with six degrees of freedom, which means you can move freely in any direction without external sensors.

• The Meta Quest 3 has stereo speakers with 3D spatial audio, which deliver realistic and immersive sound effects. It also has a built-in microphone for voice commands and social interactions.

It supports Bluetooth headphones and controllers, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi Direct for wireless streaming and multiplayer gaming.

• The Meta Quest 3 comes with two Touch Plus controllers, which are similar to the Quest 2’s controllers but with improved ergonomics, haptics, battery life, and tracking accuracy. They have thumbsticks, buttons, triggers, and grip sensors that allow you to control your virtual hands.

Performance and Battery Life

The Meta Quest 3 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, which is a custom-made chip that is optimized for VR and AR performance.

It has 8GB of RAM and comes in two storage options: 128GB or 512 GB. It also has six cameras and wireless inside-out SLAM tracking with six degrees of freedom, which means you can move freely in any direction without external sensors.

The Meta Quest 3 has a 4K+ Infinite Display, which consists of two LCD displays with 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. This is a significant improvement over the Quest 2’s 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye.

The Meta Quest 3 can run most games and apps at the highest resolution and refresh rate without any noticeable lag or stutter. Some of the most popular titles available for the Meta Quest 3 include Beat Saber, Superhot VR, Resident Evil 4 VR, Asgard’s Wrath, Population: One, and more.

You can also stream PC VR games to your Meta Quest 3 via Air Link or Virtual Desktop, as long as you have a compatible PC and a fast Wi-Fi connection.

The Meta Quest 3 has a built-in battery that can last around 2.2 hours under standard use.

This is slightly better than the Quest 2’s battery life of around 2 hours. However, if you use the experimental mode of 120Hz or stream PC VR games, the battery life will be reduced significantly.

You can extend the battery life up to approximately four hours by using the Meta Quest Elite Strap with Battery Pack, which is sold separately for $129.

Compatible Content and Apps On The Meta Quest 3

Here are some examples of the content and apps available on Meta Quest 3:

• Games: Meta Quest 3 has hundreds of games across various genres, such as action, adventure, puzzle, horror, sports, and more. Some of the most popular and highly rated games include Beat Saber, Superhot VR, Resident Evil 4 VR, Asgard’s Wrath, Population: One, and more. You can also stream PC VR games to your Meta Quest 3 via Air Link or Virtual Desktop, as long as you have a compatible PC and a fast Wi-Fi connection.

• Experiences: Meta Quest 3 has many experiences that let you explore different worlds, cultures, and stories in VR. Some of the most immersive and educational experiences include National Geographic Explore VR, The Under Presents, Wolves in the Walls, Anne Frank House VR, and more. You can also create your own experiences using tools like Quill Theater, Tvori, or Gravity Sketch.

• Applications: Meta Quest 3 has many applications that let you do various things in VR, such as socialize, work, learn, and create. Some of the most useful and fun applications include Horizon Worlds, Roblox VR, Spatial, Bigscreen VR, Rec Room, and more. You can also access the web browser and other apps from your smartphone using Meta Reality

Price and Availability

Meta Quest 3 is a mixed-reality and virtual-reality headset that will be available on October 10, 2023. It comes in two storage options: 128GB or 512GB.

The 128GB model costs $499.99, while the 512GB model costs $649.99. You can preorder the Meta Quest 3 from various online retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, or directly from Meta.

If you preorder the 512GB model, you will also get a six-month trial to Meta Quest Plus, which is a subscription service that offers exclusive content and features for Meta Quest users.

You can purchase one of the devices on Amazon using this link.

Pros and Cons

However, like any device, it has its pros and cons. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of Meta Quest 3:

Pros:

• It has a 4K+ Infinite Display, which provides a high-resolution and smooth visual experience. It also supports a native refresh rate of 90Hz and an experimental mode of 120Hz. The field of view is 110 degrees horizontal and 96 degrees vertical, which is wider than most VR headsets.

• It has a new feature called Meta Reality, which enables a spectrum of mixed reality experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds. It uses two RGB cameras to provide a full-color passthrough, which allows you to see your surroundings in high resolution and with low latency. You can also interact with virtual objects and avatars in your real environment, or switch between VR and AR modes seamlessly.

• It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, which is a custom-made chip that is optimized for VR and AR performance. It has 8GB of RAM and comes in two storage options: 128GB or 512GB. It also has six cameras and wireless inside-out SLAM tracking with six degrees of freedom, which means you can move freely in any direction without external sensors.

• It has hundreds of games, experiences, and applications that you can enjoy on the device. Some of the most popular and highly rated titles include Beat Saber, Superhot VR, Resident Evil 4 VR, Asgard’s Wrath, Population: One, and more. You can also stream PC VR games to your Meta Quest 3 via Air Link or Virtual Desktop, as long as you have a compatible PC and a fast Wi-Fi connection.

• It is a standalone device that does not require a PC or a smartphone to operate. It also supports Bluetooth headphones and controllers, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi Direct for wireless streaming and multiplayer gaming.

Cons:

• It has a built-in battery that can last around 2.2 hours under standard use. This is slightly better than the Quest 2’s battery life of around 2 hours. However, if you use the experimental mode of 120Hz or stream PC VR games, the battery life will be reduced significantly. You can extend the battery life up to approximately four hours by using the Meta Quest Elite Strap with Battery Pack, which is sold separately for $129.

• It requires a Meta account to use the device and access the content and apps. This means you have to agree to Meta’s terms of service and privacy policy, which may not be acceptable to some users who are concerned about their data and identity. You also have to abide by Meta’s community standards and code of conduct, which may limit your freedom of expression and creativity.

• It is not compatible with some accessories and peripherals that were designed for the Quest 2, such as the Oculus Link cable, the Oculus Touch controllers, or the Oculus Quest Carrying Case. You have to buy new accessories and peripherals that are compatible with the Meta Quest 3, which may increase your cost.

• It is not widely available in some regions or countries due to regulatory or logistical issues. For example, Meta Quest 3 is not officially sold in China, India, Russia, or Brazil. You may have to buy it from third-party sellers or importers, which may charge higher prices or offer lower-quality service.

Conclusion

The new Meta Quest 3 is definitely an exciting device for anyone interested in virtual reality.

It’s a powerful headset with some great features. As for alternatives, the Pico 4 and the Valve Index are both great options.

They have different strengths and weaknesses, so it’s really up to you to decide which one is best for your needs.