Meta Unveils The Quest 3: Prices, Specs, Release, and More
On September 27th, during the company’s Connect conference, Meta officially unveiled the Quest 3. This formal announcement fills us in on many of the details we didn’t know about the new headset while confirming some of the earlier rumours and speculation.
The great news is that Meta’s much-anticipated Quest 3 is only days from release. During the unveiling at Connect, the world learned how much Meta’s new headset costs, its specs, how many games will be available on release, and how buyers can pre-order theirs.
Those who watched the event also got to see the amazing visual quality of the Quest 3, with demos comparing its resolution with that of the Quest 2. Boasting double the processing power and a 30% improvement in resolution, there’s a lot to get excited about.
If you’re keen to learn more about the Meta Quest 3, read on for all of the essential details, from price to performance and everything in between.
How Long Have We Known About the Quest 3?
Originally codenamed “Stinson”, we first learned about Meta’s next consumer headset when The Verge reported on the company’s VR roadmap earlier this year. This information was soon corroborated by Mark Zuckerberg on June 1st when he revealed the Quest 3 on Instagram.
Although Meta’s CTO denies that the timing of the June Quest 3 teaser had anything to do with Apple’s Vision Pro announcement a few days later on the 5th, the coincidence is too big to ignore.
Gradually, information started coming through via Bloomberg and a potentially accidental Best Buy product listing for the new headset.
When Is the Meta Quest 3 Release Date?
Although the Quest 3 has been on the cards for a while, we finally found out more concrete information right before Apple announced their Vision Pro headset back in June. After just a few months of speculation about the exact date, we know now when you can buy the new headset.
The Quest 3 will be released on October 10th in the United States and the UK.
Where Can You Pre-Order the Quest 3?
If you want to get yours on the release date, you can pre-order now. While U.S. consumers can pre-order their headsets from Meta’s official partners, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, UK buyers can pre-order now from Amazon.
How Much Will the Meta Quest 3 Cost?
The release of the Quest 3 is well-timed to attract buyers during the peak festive season. Of course, if you plan to buy one, you need to know how much to budget.
There are two variants of the Quest 3 being released. The first is a 128GB version, which will retail for £479.99 in the UK and $500 in the United States. A 512GB version will also be available for £619.99 in the UK or $650 in the United States.
Both versions will ship with a free copy of Asgard’s Wrath 2, an exclusive Quest-only launch which will retail at $60 when it’s launched later in the winter. The 512GB will also include a six-month subscription to the game service Meta Quest+ which is worth $108.
What Are the Quest 3 Specs?
The Meta Quest 3 has double the Quest 2’s processing power. The headset itself is 40% thinner, has full-colour mixed-reality passthrough and offers considerably better resolution than its predecessor.
Here’s a brief rundown of the basic specifications:
- Processor: Brand new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor providing double the graphics processing power compared to previous headsets.
- Storage: 128GB or 512GB, depending on which version you opt for.
- RAM: 8GB
- Resolution: 2,064 × 2,208 per-eye
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz, 120Hz (experimental)
- Lenses: Pancake lenses like the Quest Pro.
- Field-of-view: 110ºH × 96ºV
- IPD: Continuous, built-in stepped eye relief. IPD range 53-75mm
- Cameras: 6x external
- Controllers: Improved versions of the Touch Plus controllers with haptic feedback.
- Weight: 515g
- Battery life: 1.5-3 hours
The new headset will have the ability to charge wirelessly. A wireless charging dock will be available separately, retailing at $129.99. The new charging dock will allow users to charge both the controller and the headset simultaneously.
Charging docks have been available for previous Quest headsets; however, the controllers ran off AA batteries, so couldn’t be recharged.
The Quest 3 is also the first customisable headset. Users will be able to change straps
How Many Titles Will Be Available for the Quest 3?
So often, the success of a new headset depends on the availability of games and apps. Meta says that by the end of the year, there will be over 100 titles available for the Quest 3.
Around half of these are expected to be upgraded versions of existing Quest content, while at least 50 will be completely new apps and games.
Many of the 100 titles will also get new mixed reality features to play on the new advances brought by the Quest 3.
One of the mixed reality games we already know about is BAM! A tabletop battle game from I-Illusions. Lego Bricktales and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord will also feature mixed reality elements.
At Connect, Meta also demonstrated mixed-reality functions on Les Mills Body Combat and Stranger Things VR.
In addition to any new or updated Quest 3 games, the entire Quest 2 back catalogue of over 500 titles will also work on the new headset. Even standard VR games from the previous generation will look and feel great, thanks to the new Snapdragon chipset.
Watch This Space for More News
Now that Meta has formally unveiled the Quest 3, developers can start showing off the projects they’ve been working on. Over the next few weeks and months, there will undoubtedly be a flurry of excitement around the Quest 3.
Immediately, it looks like the Quest 3 will build on the success Meta has enjoyed with the Quest 2. Keep checking back for more Quest-related updates and other news from this year’s Connect conference.
