Lightweight and Slim Meta Quest 3 Previewed
A Meta VR device, codenamed Eureka, has been previewed by Bloomberg correspondent Mark Gurman. Following a hands-on look at the new device, Gurman said that the device feels “far lighter and thinner than the existing Quest 2 from 2020.”
Gurman’s preview confirms information shared previously by XR analyst and journalist Brad Lynch. Back in 2022, Lunch shared CAD images of the Quest 3, which showed three pill-shaped sensors at the front of the device. This matches the prototype Gurman has seen.
So, what does Gurman’s hands-on look at the device tell us? And when can we expect to see the Meta Quest 3 on the shelves?
Let’s take a look at the new lightweight and slim Meta Quest 3.
The Quest 3 May Have Pancake Lenses
There are several devices on the market already which have pancake lenses. The benefits of pancake lenses are improved clarity and a lighter and slimmer headset compared to the Quest 2, which uses fresnel lenses.
That said, from Gurman’s hands-on experience, he found that there was little difference in clarity between the new device and the Quest 2, even though the resolution is apparently higher.
It’s important to note that Gurman isn’t necessarily a journalist known for covering VR stories, so it’s hard to gauge his familiarity with the Quest 2. Technically, pancake lenses should sharpen the edges of the image and remove any of the god rays typically associated with fresnel lenses, providing an image quality closer to the Quest Pro.
The Quest 3 Controllers Are Ringless
Based on the information provided by Gurman, it appears that the tracking rings from the Quest 2 are gone. Instead, the new controllers are closer to those of the Quest Pro; however, these are in grey, matching the colour of the headset.
The Quest Pro comes with controllers that feature their own tracking cameras and processors. The inclusion of independent trackers gives the headset the ability to accurately determine the angle and position of the controllers with 6DoF, wherever they are. This is a significant improvement compared to the Quest 2.
The Quest 3 controllers might not match those of the Quest Pro as they don’t have cameras. According to Gurman, the Quest 3’s controllers had “a difficult time determining where they are in space, which could hinder some games.” He went on to say that Meta would look to offset that with other tracking improvements.
Quest 3 Will Get an XR Upgrade
So, while there appears to be a limited payoff in the improvements to the controllers and lenses, the Quest 3 will see improvements in terms of its mixed reality capabilities. Although it will have to fight for market share against the new Apple XR headset, the Quest 3 impressed Gurman when it came to XR view and the device’s depth sensor. From the information Gurman provides, the Quest 3 may even surpass the Quest Pro when it comes to mixed reality.
What Do We Know About the Quest 3 Launch?
As yet, there is no official information about the launch of the Quest 3 from Meta. It’s believed that it’s scheduled for release in October; however, there is no indication of the price. That said, it will be cheaper than the Apple headset and will launch with a large bank of apps and games.
