The history of Meta’s range of Quest standalone headsets is relatively short, especially considering the third iteration is now here. The first Meta Quest device arrived in 2019, ushering in a new era of mobile VR gaming. It was quickly superseded by Quest 2 in 2020, becoming one of the most popular VR headsets on the market. Now it’s the turn of the Meta Quest 3, offering more power and new features for VR fans worldwide. Here’s everything you need to know about Quest 3.
Firstly, what you need to know is that Quest 3 isn’t solely focused on VR. Virtual reality gaming is at the heart of the device, able to access a vast range of titles, displaying them with even greater clarity than its forebear. However, you’ve also got the mixed reality capabilities, a feature Meta is keenly promoting as the future of entertainment, work, education and more.
Your home will come alive with digital objects, placing a virtual game board on a table or seeing zombies climb through your windows, for example. Combine this with sensors that can accurately scan your room to anchor virtual items in your play space. And hand tracking so that you don’t need controllers, expanding accessibility for all users.
All in a smaller more comfortable form factor.
When does Meta Quest 3 release?
The Meta Quest 3 headset launched on 10th October 2023.
How much will the Quest 3 cost?
Meta has released the Quest 3 in two variants. A 128GB model for $499.99 USD/£479.99 GBP and a 512GB model for £619.99
What Games are on Meta Quest 3?
Hundreds, quite literally the entire Quest 2 library is compatible which amounts to 500+ titles. For the launch of Quest 3 a growing number of developers have begun updating their games to utilise the additional processing power of the headset, some have even added mixed reality modes as well.
Some of these upgraded titles include (but are not limited to):
- Apex Construct
- BAM
- Barbaria
- Broken Edge
- Cactus Cowboy – Emilios Adventure
- Cactus Cowboy – Plants At War
- CleanSheet
- Cubism
- Crystal Rift
- Cybrix
- Death Horizon: Reloaded
- Deisim
- Drop Dead: Dual Strike
- Drop Dead: The Cabin
- First Encounters
- Gazzlers
- Guardians Frontline
- Hitstream
- Hoame
- Holofit
- Hubris
- Into the Radius
- Just Another Cooking Game
- Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes
- Knockout League
- Les Mills Bodycombat
- Linelight
- Little Cities
- Mothergunship: Forge
- Naer
- Neodori Infinity
- Noun Town Language Learning
- OhShape
- PianoVision
- Pistol Whip
- Population: One
- Puzzling Places
- Red Matter 2
- Smash Drums
- Vermillion
- Virtual Desktop
- VRParty
- VR Workout
- V-Speedway
- Windlands
- Windlands 2
- Xtadium
- Zenith: The Last City
- Zoe
Why is Meta Quest for 13 and older?
Virtual reality involves having a screen (or screens) near your eyes for extended periods. When combined with specialised lenses, these ensure your eyes are looking into infinity – like you would day to day into the distance. But children’s eyes are still developing, and to ensure VR has no affected on this process, companies have designated 13 years of age as the most suitable.
That doesn’t mean to say curious youngsters can have a short go. But longer gameplay sessions are best avoided until they’re older.
Is Quest 2 or 3 better?
As good as the Quest 2 was, it has most definitely been superseded by the Quest 3. A new Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor combined with dual LCD displays offering 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye (Quest 2 has a singular LCD display with 1832 x 1920 resolution per eye) are just a couple of the upgrades on offer. Making for a superior VR experience.
Combine that with the new full-colour passthrough cameras and depth sensor, Quest 3’s mixed reality capabilities even improve upon the Quest Pro in some areas.
Meta Quest 3 Specs
- Power – Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
- Storage – 128 GB and 512 GB options
- Mixed reality – Two RGB cameras with 18 PPD, for 10X the resolution of Quest 2 and 2X the resolution of Quest Pro in Pass-through. Depth projector for improved depth and resolution
- Audio – Integrated stereo speakers with 3D spatial audio and a 40% louder audio range
- DRAM – 8 GB. 33% more memory compared with Meta Quest 2
- The supplied soft adjustable strap accommodates a variety of head shapes and hairstyles
- Depth adjustment – Facial interface adjustment to move the headset closer or farther from your face to improve comfort and field of view.
- Headset weight – 515 grams. Pancake optics create a 40% slimmer optic profile when compared to Quest 2
- Display resolution – 2064×2208 pixels per eye (30% improvement compared to Meta Quest 2). 4K+ Infinite Display with 25PPD and 1218 PPI.
- Refresh rate – 90 Hz, 120 Hz (experimental).
- Field of view – 110 degrees horizontal and 96 degrees vertical.
- Optics – Pancake lens provide increased sharpness by 25% in centre FOV (~70% sharper in periphery)
- Lens adjustment – Inter Pupillary Distance (IPD) ranges from 58 mm-71 mm)
- Meta Quest Touch Plus controllers – Feature a streamlined, ring-free design with TruTouch variable haptics providing tactile feedback
- Direct Touch hand tracking – 4 IR cameras and 2 RGB cameras combined with hybrid computer vision and machine learning sensors means you can move your hands to tap, scroll, navigate and play
- PC support – Meta Quest Link cable and Air Link supported
- Battery life
- Up to 2.2 hours of usage on average
- Gaming: 2.4 hours of usage on average
- Social: 2.2 hours of usage on average
- Productivity: 1.5 hours of usage on average
- Media: 2.9 hours of usage on average
- Charge time – Approximately 2.3 hours with the included 18 W power adapter (headset only).
- Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi 6E enabled (region permitting).
And that’s everything you need to know about the Meta Quest 3 headset. Are you thinking of buying one? Let us know what you’re excited to play first in the comments below.
