Simply 4 days earlier than the Apple WWDC conference, the place the tech big is anticipated to unveil its first mixed reality headset, Meta has introduced their subsequent VR headset: the Meta Quest 3. The machine, they are saying, would be the “first mainstream headset with high-res coloration combined actuality” when it begins to ship to customers within the fall. That’s, until Apple begins to ship their competing headset first.
The Quest 3 will begin at $499 and can be 40% thinner than the Quest 2. Meta additionally famous it would home “subsequent gen Qualcomm chipset with 2x the graphics efficiency,” however did not get extra particular about specs. Your complete Quest library of greater than 500 titles will suitable with the Quest 3.
A side-by-side comparability of the Quest 2 (left) and Quest 3 (proper).
Credit score: Meta
A peek into the internal workings of the brand new Meta Quest 3.
Credit score: Meta
Product stills of the Quest 3 present a redesigned machine with three glass panels on the entrance housing no less than two further front-facing cameras, doubtless used to assist in full-color passthrough, for a complete of 4 cameras. Sadly, it seems just like the headset strap continues to be made out of low cost elastic, one thing I despised in regards to the machine earlier than upgrading its parts to maximize comfort. However perhaps the strap will not be as a lot of a problem this time round because of that 40% discount in measurement. A Y-shaped cut up in the back of the Quest 3 strap also needs to assist ameliorate slipping and sliding throughout gameplay.
Product stills additionally embrace mocks of the Contact controllers, which appear to be a combo of the controllers for the Quest 2 and Quest Pro. The halo protectors we final noticed on the Quest 2 have been eliminated for a sleeker look nearer to that of the Quest Professional’s controllers, and a sloped thumb relaxation has been added.
The Meta Quest 3 Contact controllers.
Credit score: Meta
Meta additionally introduced some adjustments to the Quest 2. Starting June 4, it would decrease the value of the Quest 2 to $299.99 USD (128GB) and $349.99 USD (256GB SKU). If the value for the 128 GB SKU sounds oddly acquainted, that is as a result of $299.99 USD was the unique worth of the Quest 2, earlier than Meta bumped it up by $100 in June 2022.
A software program replace to Quest 2 and Quest Professional’s GPU and CPU can be across the nook. Each fashions will see as much as 26 p.c CPU efficiency enhance, with GPU speeds enhance as much as 19 p.c for the Quest 2 and 11 p.c for the Quest Professional. These updates will ship smoother, extra responsive gameplay. However will it nonetheless be sufficient to rival no matter Apple has in retailer? We’ll see.
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