With the introduction of the Apple Vision Pro, all eyes have turned to other top headsets in the VR space. How can rival brands like HTC, Valve, and Meta compete with Apple’s new headset? The answer is in the upcoming releases from each brand. Meta Quest 3 is the third installment in Reality Labs’s flagship line of VR headsets. While it’s scheduled to be released on October 10, 2023, we already know a few things about this product. Meta has already spilled enough details about the Quest 3’s price and specs.
- 2x the graphic processing power of Quest 2 with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
- Mixed reality blends virtual elements and physical space
- 4K+ Infinite display
- 3D audio with enhanced clarity and bass
- Touch Plus controllers deliver a more intuitive experience
- Library of over 500 titles
5 Facts About the Meta Quest 3
- The Meta Quest 3’s physical redesign makes it 40% slimmer than the Meta Quest 2. Also new to the design: three oval camera sensors on the front and a revamped head strap around the back.
- This next-gen virtual reality headset features a brand-new Snapdragon chipset for enhanced virtual and mixed reality capabilities. Meta claims the new system-on-a-chip doubles the performance capabilities of the Meta Quest 2.
- Meta Quest 3 will feature High-Fidelity Color Passthrough. This means users can see real-world colors around them instead of the traditional monochrome display of past headsets.
- New, more ergonomic Touch Plus controllers will be included in the box alongside the Quest 3. Equipped with new TruTouch haptics for live controller feedback, these redesigned Touch Plus controllers help Meta better compete with rival VR controllers from Sony.
- With its October 10, 2023 release date, the Meta Quest 3 will strategically hit shelves before the holiday season and Apple Vision Pro’s release in early 2024. This is a huge competitive advantage for Reality Labs.
Meta Quest 3 Specs
| Product Type | Virtual reality headset |
| Also Known As | Oculus Quest 3 |
| Developer | Reality Labs (the business and research unit of Meta Platforms) |
| Release Date | October 10, 2023 |
| Price | $499 |
| System on a Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Predecessor | Meta Quest 2 |
Meta Quest 3: Where To Buy and Quest 3 Release Date
With a much more affordable price tag than the Apple Vision Pro, where can you buy a Meta Quest 3? Reality Labs’ latest virtual reality headset is set at $499. That’s $200 more than the Meta Quest 2’s introductory price of $299. Moreover, it’s a whole $3,000 cheaper than the Vision Pro. As you’ll soon see, this price increase is not for nothing. The higher cost represents a massive overhaul of the Quest’s internal and external specs. More on that later.
Quick Facts
- Original price
- $499
- Units Sold
- N/A
As we mentioned above, the Meta Quest 3 will be available for sale on October 10, 2023. Like the Meta Quest 2, the Meta Quest 3 will be available at major retailers, including Amazon. It’s likely that it will also be available at Target, GameStop, Verizon, and other retailers sell the Meta Quest 2. Sales are good, meaning these stores will likely sell the Meta Quest 3, too.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, it’s important to note that Meta reduced the price of the Quest 2 ahead of the Quest 3’s October 10, 2023 release.
- Self-contained, no PC required
- 360-degree field of view
- 3D positional audio
- Hand tracking with haptic feedback
- 128GB
History Of the Meta Quest 3: What to Know
By the time the Meta Quest 3 hits shelves in 2023, three years will have lapsed since the last major release. Reality Labs has spent the last few years improving the Quest 2, which improved over the original Oculus Quest from 2019. The upcoming Quest 3 will be the third installment in the series. It appears to be the best of the trilogy, too.
Mark Zuckerberg first teased the Meta Quest 3 in an Instagram video on June 1st, 2023. This was our first official glimpse of the Quest 3. The teaser gave us a first look at the headset’s redesigned exterior, head strap, and improved controllers. It also told us the price and gave us an idea of when to expect an official release. The teaser revealed additional details about the new Snapdragon chipset and the Quest 3’s storage space.
The tech industry is no stranger to leaks. These leaks typically result from how tech companies recruit contractors and developers to create their latest products. The more eyes on an exciting release behind the scenes, the higher the likelihood of leaks. The Meta Quest 3 is no exception. Leaks from September 2022 and February 2023 gave us a glimpse of some possible stats for Quest 3. Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram teaser confirmed the legitimacy of the leaks.
©Boumen Japet/Shutterstock.com
Meta Quest 3: Each Edition
Meta Quest and Meta Quest 2 are the immediate precursors to Quest 3. Reality Labs designed these two headsets to provide the public with a VR experience that was both wireless and accessible. Both have a range of VR games, apps, and experiences available for download through the Meta Store. Likewise, both offer an all-in-one VR solution with an easy setup and engaging, innovative experiences. What else is worth knowing about these two pioneering headsets before the Quest 3?
Meta Quest
The Meta Quest launched in 2019. Initially marketed as a standalone VR headset, this meant it didn’t require a powerful computer or external sensors to work. Meta priced the tech at $399 and originally called it “Oculus Quest” before rebranding the product line in 2022. The VR headset had built-in cameras and sensors that tracked the user’s movements. This innovative technology allowed users to physically move around a virtual environment in sync with their real-life movements. The Meta Quest also had a high-resolution display and came with handheld controllers.
Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 arrived a year later, in October 2020. This second edition was a step up from the original product. Quest 2’s came with a more powerful processor, a much better display resolution, and an enhanced ergonomic feel over its predecessor. Its head strap was comfortable head strap design and the controller easy-to-grip. Overall, Quest 2 delivered a more immersive and enjoyable VR experience than the Meta Quest.
©Abel Brata Susilo/Shutterstock.com
The Public Response
Public opinions on the Meta Quest 3 are difficult to gauge. For now, the public relies on what they’ve seen from Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram teaser and the press surrounding the tease. Not many are happy about the $200 price hike from Quest 2 to Quest 3. Meta’s affordable product line has long been one of the company’s greatest claims to fame. Even with the costly Apple Vision Pro, the Meta Quest 3’s $499 price tag is nonetheless disappointing.
After three years of anticipatory hype surrounding the Meta Quest 3, this price increase hurts. Beyond this downside, some excitement about the sleek new physical redesign is unmissable. The new pill-shaped ovals on the headset’s front are not exactly discreet. But, the design does give the device a unique appearance. The same goes for the controllers, which look much more capable of holding their own than past iterations. Needless to say, the public is looking forward to getting hands-on with the Quest 3.
Of course, Meta faces the formidable challenge of public reception in the face of VR naysayers. It certainly looks like Meta is phasing out the so-called “Metaverse,” which raises questions about how much longer Meta will continue experimenting with VR before throwing in the towel. If the public response to the Quest 3 fails to meet internal expectations at Meta, could it mean another fatal blow for their already hemorrhaging (and hugely expensive) VR experiment? Only time will tell. Until Quest 3 drops on October 10, 2023, all we can do is hypothesize.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©rafapress/Shutterstock.com.
