Mark Zuckerberg has officially unveiled the Meta Quest 3 virtual and mixed reality headset, which available this fall for $499.99 in all countries where Meta Quest is currently support. While the timing of the announcement may seem strange considering the release is months away, it appears to be a strategic move to steal some of Apple’s thunder ahead of its rumored headset unveiling at WWDC next week.
The Meta Quest 3 boasts several notable improvements over its predecessor, the Quest 2. It features a higher resolution and has powered by a next-generation Snapdragon chipset that delivers more than double the graphical performance of the previous generation GPU. Additionally, the headset supports full-color passthrough for high-resolution color mixed reality experiences.
In terms of design, the Meta Quest 3 has a 40% slimmer optic profile compared to the Quest 2. The Touch Plus controllers have completely redesigned and no longer require outer tracking rings, providing a more natural extension of the user’s hands. The TruTouch haptics, previously seen in the Touch Pro, are also include. Furthermore, the Quest 3 is compatible with the Touch Pro controllers if purchased separately.
The Quest 3 supports hand tracking out of the box and will be compatible with the Quest 2’s extensive catalog of over 500 VR games, apps, and experiences. Those interested in learning more about the Quest 3 can visit the official website to register their details.
In addition to the Quest 3 announcement, Meta has also revealed a price reduction for the Quest 2, making it more affordable for enthusiasts. The Quest 2’s value has reduced by $100, with the 128GB version priced at $299.99 and the 256GB version available for $349.99.