The Meta Quest 3 launch occasion is lower than a month away, and pleasure for the brand new VR headset is reaching boiling level. But when this leak is right, the characteristic I used to be most enthusiastic about would possibly require a dear add-on.
Forward of the Oculus Quest 2 successor’s reveal the web retailer UnboundXR.eu has seemingly posted costs for a number of Quest 3 equipment. This features a carrying case for €79.99 (round $86 / £68 / AU$134), an Elite Strap with Battery for €149.99 ($161 / £128 / AU$252), and a Silicone Face Interface for €49.99 ($54 / £42 / AU$84). These have been noticed by u/Fredricko on Reddit, however the retailer pages have since been hidden.
The one which’s most disappointing to me is seeing the Meta Quest 3 Charging Dock for €149.99 ($161 / £128 / AU$252).
Due to a different Meta Quest 3 leak (courtesy of a US Federal Communication Company submitting) it regarded like the brand new gadget can be getting a charging dock – my favourite Meta Quest Professional characteristic. Due to this peripheral I’ve by no means gone to put on my Quest Professional and located it’s out of cost – one thing I can’t say about my Quest 2. The dock additionally makes it simple to maintain the headset and controllers powered up with no need to make use of a number of energy retailers for charging – a problem with headsets such because the HTC Vive XR Elite, which requires three retailers for charging as an alternative of 1.
Most significantly, this dock was included within the worth of the Meta Quest Pro – which was $1,500 / £1,500 / AU$2,450 at launch and is now $999.99 / £999.99 / AU$1,729.99. Based on Meta, the most affordable Meta Quest 3 shall be $499 / £499 / AU$829 / €499 so I used to be already a bit of apprehensive that the dock wouldn’t include the cheaper headset – forcing us to pay a bit of additional for its benefits. What I didn’t anticipate, nevertheless, was that the dock is perhaps roughly a 3rd of the value of the brand new machine, as this leak has urged.
Whereas these leaks come from a semi-official supply – a Reddit user claims UnboundXR has stated the costs are from Meta instantly – it’s nonetheless price taking the data with a pinch of salt. They might be best-guess placeholder costs whereas the shop builds the product pages forward of the Quest 3 launch later this yr. What’s extra, the peripherals UnboudXR listed would possibly nonetheless come packaged with the headset with the listings right here merely being for alternative components. We received’t understand how dear the add-ons actually are till the headset launches at Meta Connect 2023.
Out with the previous
If the value of those XR peripherals has acquired you down, I’m sorry to say the unhealthy information doesn’t cease there. Based on separate leaks, the Quest 3 will not be suitable along with your Quest 2 equipment – forcing you to pay for all-new add-ons if you’d like them.
That is with respect to the headset strap; @ZGFTECH on X (previously Twitter) posted an image seemingly exhibiting a side-by-side of the Quest 3 strap and the Quest 2 Elite strap with the 2 having fairly totally different designs – suggesting the previous strap shall be incompatible with the brand new {hardware}. I’m nonetheless holding out hope nevertheless that my Quest Professional charging dock shall be suitable with the Quest 3, although given the brand new dock’s wildly totally different design, I’m not holding my breath.
Admittedly this shouldn’t be totally surprising – it’s not unprecedented for tech peripherals to be unique to particular gadgets. But it surely’s one thing to bear in mind in the event you’re seeking to improve to Meta’s newest VR {hardware}.
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