Meta Quest 3 Review A Mixed Reality Masterpiece

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In the dynamic realm of Virtual Reality, Meta remains a frontrunner, with the Meta Quest 3 leading the charge in innovative VR headsets. This lighter, slimmer, and more sophisticated device sets a new standard for immersive gaming experiences. Meta’s commitment to pushing boundaries is evident in the Quest 3, promising enthusiasts a refined and cutting-edge headset. With ongoing software advancements, the Quest 3 is poised to deliver even more impressive VR adventures, making it a must-have for enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of virtual reality technology.

While the Quest 3 bears a resemblance to the Quest 2, its design incorporates intelligent modifications. Notably, the camera array plays a pivotal role, seamlessly translating real-world movements into the virtual realm. Meta has refined the Quest 3’s tracking system, significantly reducing the common hiccups in movement often encountered in VR gaming. Initiating gameplay by grabbing the controllers is straightforward, with the headset adeptly tracking each movement. Moreover, it diligently monitors the player’s head and body movements within the VR space, ensuring a more immersive and precise experience.

PROS:
  • Better, more comfortable hardware
  • Much-improved displays
  • Quick and efficient performance

CONS:
  • More expensive than the Quest 2
  • No eye-tracking
  • Quest 3 uses more battery power

Frequently, I’m asked, “Which VR headset should I get?” Since its release in October 2020, my go-to recommendation has been the Oculus Quest 2. Its ability to provide immersive virtual reality experiences, coupled with its affordability, has made it a standout choice. Additionally, the Quest Store boasts an impressive collection of software.

However, times have changed, and my recommendation has evolved. As of now and for the foreseeable future, I’ll exclusively be suggesting the Meta Quest 3. But VR is so last-gen. With the Quest 3, Meta wants to get more people into mixed reality and has outfitted the headset with new hardware to this end. This includes two RGB cameras that can capture your real-world space in full color. By combining this footage with its new depth sensor – and a little bit of software trickery – the headset is able to create experiences that blend the real and virtual worlds.

The Quest with the utmost comfort

Upon initial inspection, the physical aesthetics of the Quest 3 might not suggest a significant departure in fit and feel from its visually similar predecessor, the Quest 2. However, after immersing myself in extended sessions with the new headset, I was pleasantly surprised by its heightened comfort level. The Quest 3’s utilization of lenses with pancake optics plays a crucial role in this comfort upgrade, enabling a notably slimmer display housing that sits closer to your eyes. This redistributes the headset’s weight more effectively, preventing the center of mass from pulling your head forward, a common issue with many VR devices.

 Speaking of the head strap, the revamped design accompanying the Quest 3 is a substantial improvement over the somewhat flimsy counterpart bundled with the Quest 2. The new design offers robust support for the headset’s weight, exhibiting just enough elasticity to comfortably conform around your skull as you put it on. Additionally, the new fit adjustment system at the back of the strap is a welcome enhancement, allowing for easy loosening and tightening by smoothly sliding two sections of gently grippy fabric to either side.

Meta Quest 3 – Design

While the Quest 3 may bear a resemblance to the Quest 2 at first glance, its design incorporates clever enhancements. The standout feature is the camera array, prioritizing real-world movement tracking and seamlessly translating it into virtual space. Meta has notably improved the Quest 3’s tracking precision and accuracy, setting it apart from its predecessor.

The Meta Quest 3 is a sleek and stylish headset that is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It has a lightweight design and adjustable straps that make it a good fit for a variety of head sizes and shapes. The headset also has a built-in fan that helps to keep your cool during use.

The headset’s front panel is made of a durable plastic that is both scratch-resistant and fingerprint-proof. The lenses are large and clear, providing a wide field of view. The headset also has built-in speakers that provide good quality sound.

Meta Quest 3: Performance

In terms of performance, the Meta Quest 3 presents a significant leap forward when compared to the Quest 2. The introduction of the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset from Qualcomm, a notable upgrade from the Quest 2’s Gen 1 XR2, has led to a substantial improvement in graphics. Reflecting on the Quest 2, I find it challenging to believe how I once considered its immersive capabilities adequate. Of course, perceptions are relative, and the Quest 2 did offer an impressively immersive experience – at least until the Meta Quest 3 raised the bar significantly.

In conducting this review, I immersed myself in Red Matter 2 on both the Quest 2 and Quest 3, and the upgraded version on the latter showcased significant improvements across the board. The details in the space station I navigated were notably crisper, and the enhanced shadows and lighting added a level of realism that transformed the entire experience into what felt like an entirely new game.

The Quest 3’s graphics receive a boost from its innovative pancake lens optical system, which exhibits far less distortion compared to the Quest 2’s fresnel lens design. Combined with high-resolution displays, the Meta Quest 3 introduces two new screens, each boasting a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. This surpasses the Quest 2’s single display offering of 1832 x 1900 pixels per eye. The result is a visual upgrade that contributes to a more immersive and detailed virtual environment.

The Touch Plus controllers

The Touch Plus controllers are nice, and retain the familiar feel of the old controllers, with the exception of a prominent tracking ring at the top. They are lighter and more compact. However, aside from experiencing slightly less impact when tapping them together, I haven’t observed much disparity in their actual use. This is partially due to the Touch Plus having its battery much nearer to the Quest 2’s controllers than the Pro’s. I’ve been extensively using this device for over a week, and the AAs are still going strong.

 

Meta Quest 3 release date

Meta officially revealed the Quest 3 on June 1st, marking the commencement of the Meta Connect 2023 event. The headset was officially launched during this event on September 27. Meta confirmed that shipments for the Quest 3 would commence on October 10, 2023, with pre-orders becoming available immediately after the announcement concluded.

Meta Quest 3 price

Upon Meta’s official announcement of the Quest 3 on June 1st, the company also disclosed its starting price: $499. Interestingly, just before Meta’s official launch event for the headset, there were price adjustments in various regions, but notably, this did not impact prices in the US:

  • $499 for the 128GB model
  • $649 for the 512GB model

Video Review

Meta Quest 3 features and software

The Quest 3 has ushered in a host of new features, with some exclusive to the platform and others set to roll out to the Quest 2 and Quest Pro. Among these, the most noteworthy include:

  • Vision Pro-esque AR support, allowing users to position virtual objects in the real world (anticipated in 2024).
  • Built-in upper-body tracking, eliminating the need for external trackers.
  • AI-Generated legs that estimate the real-life position of your legs.
  • Microgestures, offering next-level hand-tracking and controller-less navigation.

Beyond these cutting-edge features, the Quest 3 presents some undeniable facts: it is 40% louder and 40% lighter than the Quest 2. Notably, it comes equipped with a significantly more powerful System on Chip (SoC), all for an additional $100 compared to the previous cost of the Quest 2.

SHOULD YOU BUY THE QUEST 3?

The Quest 3 provides a glimpse into Meta’s evolving path, marking a departure from the conventional VR headset experience. Fueled by an advanced mixed reality system, driven by a new sensor architecture featuring two RGB cameras and a depth sensor, it introduces a high-fidelity pass-through functionality. This innovation seamlessly integrates your physical environment into the virtual world, surpassing the resolution of Quest 2 by tenfold and Quest Pro by threefold.

As a result, the headset effortlessly transitions between fully immersive VR and seamlessly integrated mixed reality. While the Quest 2 provided a glimpse of this capability with features like bringing real-world objects such as keyboards or couches into VR and apps facilitating piano learning using an actual piano, the Quest 3 is purposefully designed for this fusion. The Quest 2’s camera system wasn’t initially tailored for a prominent mixed reality experience, making it one of the most significant distinctions between the two headsets.

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