Every little thing we all know to date

The Meta Quest 2, previously often called the Oculus Quest 2, is undoubtedly the world’s hottest VR device, so it is no shock that Meta has introduced it is making a successor – the Meta Quest 3.

The final headset succeeded in altering the notion of VR as a cumbersome and cost-prohibitive exercise, propelling it into the mainstream with an easy-to-use wi-fi standalone expertise.

Nevertheless, the Quest 2 is over two years outdated at this level, and advances in each optics and cell processing imply that its successor could possibly be one thing very particular.

This is every thing we all know to date concerning the headset, together with when to anticipate it, how a lot it will value and what options it may need.

• Unveiling at Meta Join on September 27 2023
• Priced at $499.99

Meta holds its annual Meta Connect occasion within the Autumn annually, and it is already confirmed that the 2023 version will function extra details about the Meta Quest 3. The keynote takes place on 27 September, and you may tune in to the dwell stream here.

The Quest 2 was launched on the occasion in 2020 (it was referred to as Fb Join on the time) after which the Quest Pro was launched through the 2022 occasion, so it makes numerous sense for Meta to make use of the platform to extra totally launch its subsequent headset, as nicely.

Main as much as the preliminary announcement, Meta had been fairly obscure about what worth it could connect to the Quest 3, however we now know that it’ll value $499.99, once more bumping up the Quest line’s costs.

The Quest 2 launched at $299 however the worth was later increased to $399 and once more lowered after the announcement of the Quest 3. A bump to $499 would not be too stunning, given the improved specs.

• Aesthetically much like the Quest 2, gentle strap, front-mounted battery
• Considerably slimmed-down
• Full IPD adjustment, charging dock suitable

We knew that the Quest 3 would look each acquainted and new because of leaks within the weeks working as much as its announcement, and so they’ve confirmed spot-on.

The headset’s front-on silhouette is much like the Quest 2, however with an enormous distinction within the bulk of the entrance part – it is manner thinner and will probably be round 40% lighter (though we do not but know its actual weight).

As well as, there are some apparent new adjustments within the type of a redesigned set of entrance cameras which are much more apparent on the headset, pill-shaped and permitting for way more subtle cameras to be housed (extra on these later).

Meta

A hands-on expertise shared by Mark Gurman gave us some juicy data on how these will work: “The left and proper capsules every embody one color video pass-through digicam (the half that permits you to see the world round you) in addition to a regular digicam. Which means it has two color cameras versus solely non-colour cameras on the Quest 2. The center capsule features a depth sensor, a primary for a Quest.”

In any other case, the Quest 3’s design language and form do not stray too removed from its predecessor – it nonetheless comes with a gentle strap and the battery remains to be mounted within the entrance. Many anticipated the Quest 3 to return with an Elite-style strap, just like the Pico 4, however that does not look like the case.

What’s new, although, is the positioning of the USB-C port and headphone socket, which at the moment are positioned on the bungs the place the strap attaches to the headset. Gurman additionally stated that the Quest 3 “makes use of cloth on the perimeters as an alternative of the Quest 2’s plastic” – which we now assume refers back to the deep padding across the eyes, which replaces the inflexible plastic flares of the unique headset.

The Quest 3 may even function correct IPD adjustment, with a rotatable wheel on the underside of the headset to shift the optics, an enormous improve over the notched IPD adjustment of the Quest 2.

We first puzzled if the Quest 3 could be suitable with the Quest Professional’s charging dock, because it has related pogo-pin contacts on the bottom of the unit – however within the time since, a retailer by chance leaked some official equipment, and it seems that the Quest 3 will get its personal charging dock, which is able to retail for €149.99 in Europe.

There may even be an Elite battery strap for €149.99, a silicon facial interface for €49.99 and an official carrying case for €79.99, in line with the leak.

Away from the headset itself, in the meantime, the dual controllers have additionally been redesigned and could have new haptics that Meta is asking TruTouch – hopefully, this feels as spectacular as these utilized by Sony on the PlayStation 5‘s DualSense, for instance.

• Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2?
• Pancake lenses, Twin shows
• Bigger RAM and storage choices

The Quest 3 is taking the Quest additional into the world of blended actuality, not simply digital actuality, because of these new full-colour pass-through cameras, exhibiting that the Quest Professional is not a one-off.

Nevertheless, in contrast to the Quest Professional, the Quest 3 will seemingly not have eye and face monitoring – with a purpose to maintain prices low.

It is suspected that the Quest 3 will use the very same pancake lenses as the Quest Pro, representing a big visible improve over the Quest 2. It is also anticipated that the headset will function twin shows, although there have been conflicting experiences on whether or not these will probably be LCD, OLED or Mini LED.

Meta

We all know that the Quest 3’s chipset will probably be fairly considerably upgraded – Meta has stated it is a “next-generation” chip and can lead to a doubling of graphical energy, so we’ll undoubtedly be seeing the subsequent technology of Qualcomm XR chipset on the brand new headset, too. Some are calling it the XR3 and others are saying it is going to be referred to as the XR2 Gen 2. Both manner, it will make for boosted efficiency and certain elevated effectivity, too.

We additionally know that the $500 normal model of the Meta Quest 3 will include 128GB of onboard storage by default, though higher-storage variations will apparently be obtainable too.

Past this, whereas the headset is now official and has been introduced, we do not know very many specs for it in any respect, so we do need to fall again a bit of on leaks and rumours.

The assorted leaks comprise all types of data on what the Quest 3 would possibly provide. One of many firmware leaks seemingly means that the Quest 3 would possibly nicely assist a decision of 4,128 by 2,208 pixels (2,064 by 2,208 pixels per eye). The rumours are that the headset may additionally assist a 120Hz refresh charge. This makes numerous sense as Quest 2 also has the option for a 120Hz refresh rate.

5 September 2023: Retailer leaks official Quest 3 equipment and pricing

A retailer by chance posted the Meta Quest 3 accessories early, revealing the European pricing for an Elite battery strap, charging dock, carrying case and silicon facial interface.

1 June 2023: Meta publicizes the Quest 3

Meta lastly made the Quest 3 official, promising extra data in October when it is prepared for launch.

Could 28 2023: Mark Gurman goes hands-on with the Quest 3

Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg publication features a description of his hands-on experience with the unannounced Quest 3 – no photos but, although.

October 27 2022: Meta teases next-generation Quest headset coming in 2023: Is it Quest 3?

Meta has begun teasing the next-generation model of its cheaper Quest VR headset.

September 30 2022: Meta Quest 3 leaks counsel its a mixed-reality headset

XR {Hardware} Analyst, Brad Lynch (aka SadlyItsBradley) has posted a video that shows off CAD renderings of the Meta Quest 3 aka “Challenge Stinson”.