In 2020, Meta modified VR endlessly when it launched the (then known as) Oculus Quest 2, a less expensive, way more highly effective headset than its predecessor. The Meta Quest 3 debuted three years later, bringing about substantial enhancements in efficiency, design, visible readability, considerably improved efficiency, and a brand new combined actuality paradigm, all with a $200 value improve over the Quest 2.
The Meta Quest 3 has been profitable prior to now 12 months however nowhere close to as standard because the Quest 2, virtually actually due to the worth. There’s simply no denying how necessary $299 was for VR, and that is why Meta would go on to debut the Meta Quest 3S a 12 months later at that $299 value.
And whereas the Meta Quest 3S delivers 90% of what the Quest 3 affords, there’s nonetheless no denying that the Quest 3 offers the most effective general visible expertise. Going from the Quest 3S’s Fresnel lenses to the pancake lenses within the Quest 3 looks like a generational leap. It’s akin to swapping out your previous 720p TV with a 4K TV, even when Meta’s default material strap does not assist make the match really feel extra premium out of the field.
Meta Quest 3: Price & availability
The Meta Quest 3 initially launched in two configurations, one with 128GB of storage and one with 512GB of storage. Since then, Meta has discontinued the 128GB mannequin and diminished the 512GB mannequin’s value to $499, down from $649 initially.
Meta additionally packs in a free copy of Batman Arkham Shadow with each Quest 3, the primary Batman Arkham sport in a decade and one of many best-reviewed entries within the collection so far. Each Quest 3 additionally comes with three free months of Meta Quest Plus, supplying you with entry to 23 video games out of the field. Quest Plus contains 2 free video games monthly, plus entry to a revolving library of 20 video games that is refreshed occasionally.
Meta Quest 3: Design and luxury
First and foremost, the Meta Quest 3 is designed as a mixed-reality headset. That doesn’t suggest the digital actuality expertise is worse due to it — removed from it, truly — nevertheless it does imply that Meta was in a position to take the expertise to the subsequent stage by utilizing combined actuality as a software to cut back friction.
You’ll hear the time period “friction” quite a bit in reference to VR, and it is significantly necessary as a result of VR is inherently much less handy to make use of than conventional mediums. Sure, placing a headset on and grabbing controllers is simply as many steps as grabbing your PS5 controller, turning on the TV, and sitting on the sofa, however there’s one thing in regards to the human expertise that makes a VR headset really feel like extra effort.
The Quest 3 is kind of heavy regardless of its thinner design, and the material straps did little to alleviate the strain on my face.
For this (and different causes), Meta saved the material strap idea alive because it’s the only method to make use of a headset, significantly if just one individual in a family is utilizing it. The new material straps actually look just like the previous ones however supply extra assist due to a break up overhead strap design.
But whereas they arrive in some fashionable and enticing new colours and supplies, this material strap did little to alleviate the strain on my face from the heavy Quest 3. Yes, regardless of being 40% thinner, the Quest 3 truly weighs just a bit bit greater than the Quest 2.
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Meta additionally despatched me one in every of its official Quest 3 Elite Straps to evaluate and whereas it’s a much better design than the material straps, it nonetheless falls wanting the most effective Meta Quest 3 equipment obtainable, just like the BoboVR M3 Pro head strap alternative.
The lenses get much less foggy than the Quest 2, however you will nonetheless want to purchase a third celebration face pad to utterly alleviate lens fog.
While the brand new breathable cloth and redesigned facial interface assist alleviate fog higher than the Quest 2, I frequently had the Quest 3’s lenses fog up on me through the first 5 minutes of playtime. Considering the most effective Quest 2 face pads from Kiwi Design solved this downside years in the past, it is extremely irritating to see it crop up once more in Meta’s design.
Thankfully, glasses customers will not want so as to add a glasses spacer due to some intelligent considering on Meta’s half. The face gasket itself can modify depth this time round, with four-step choices to select from to greatest match most faces, significantly ones with glasses.
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IPD adjustment on the Quest 2 and Quest 3S leaves quite a bit to be desired and is definitely one of many largest negatives of both headset. Thankfully, Meta has mixed the most effective components of the unique Oculus Quest — an IPD adjustment wheel — with additional improved pancake lenses versus the costlier Quest Pro.
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That mixture is supremely snug and implies that the Quest 3 helps a wider vary of IPD values, not has that nasty little “candy spot” Quest 1 and a pair of lenses had, and is definitely adjustable whereas sporting the headset — take that, Quest Pro.
Meta Quest 3: Mixed actuality is vital
The second you set the headset on, you will be handled to a view of the room round you utilizing these new, considerably improved cameras. They’re not Apple Vision Pro-level high quality, however at 1/seventh the worth of that product, I would not anticipate them to be. That doesn’t suggest it is unhealthy by any means, however I do know individuals shall be stunned on the high quality enchancment over different Quest headsets.
In truth, the combined actuality video games I’ve performed are convincing as a result of the digicam high quality lastly matches the standard of the objects the Quest 3 rendered. In the brand new First Steps expertise on the Quest 3, gamers shall be blasting little aliens that seem to leap by means of the partitions and ceiling of the room.
The combined actuality video games I’ve performed to this point have been convincing as a result of the digicam high quality lastly matched the standard of the objects the Quest 3 rendered.
This is way extra convincing than earlier efforts as a result of the objects solid shadows on the bottom, cover behind objects within the room, and look way more lifelike, due to enhancements in lighting high quality and exterior digicam high quality.
But none of this is able to be significantly enjoyable if the Quest 3’s room setup was as tedious as with earlier headsets. This time round, the Quest 3 features a depth sensor and cameras with 10x the decision of the Quest 2, providing automated room mapping that simply requires you to go searching because it recreates your room in digital actuality.
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This impact was almost an identical to the way it’s introduced on the PSVR 2 and felt nice to make use of. The headset may even assist create protected room-scale boundaries to maintain you from working into furnishings. Plus, for those who run the extra areas room setup, you may outline couches, tables, and different objects that can be utilized in digital house.
The Quest 3 mechanically identifies partitions, ceilings, and furnishings and provides you with a digital illustration of these objects in-headset due to the brand new depth sensor.
Not solely that, however the second you set the headset on, you will see the world round you in superb, high-resolution, full-color, clear video. That final half is especially necessary as a result of the Quest Pro provided full-color video at the next decision than the Quest 2 however did not do an awesome job with readability.
The Quest 3’s video is tremendous clear and clearly has a robust denoise algorithm positioned atop to maintain noise in darkish rooms at a minimal. I’m in a position to truly look out my window, watch TV, and even learn my telephone display screen with out taking the headset off.
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The mixed-reality digicam high quality is so clear I can truly learn my telephone or Pixel Watch whereas sporting the headset.
Since launch, Meta has additional improved combined actuality passthrough video high quality, together with decreasing general noise, balancing colours and brilliant gentle sources higher, and even virtually utterly eradicating the distortion that used to happen with movement.
Meta has additionally reworked the UI a number of occasions since launch, now supporting multitasking with floating home windows, extra 2D apps, and higher integration with companies like Xbox Game Pass.
Meta Quest 3: New controllers
Meta’s new Touch Plus controllers will really feel instantly acquainted to anybody who’s ever used an Oculus headset earlier than, however they’re clearly improved over the predecessors. Meta used the general design of the Quest Pro Touch Pro controllers right here, together with the elimination of the LED monitoring ring that adorned all earlier generations of tracked Oculus controllers.
The controllers nonetheless have monitoring LEDs located throughout the physique to assist monitor, however Meta has been in a position to make use of AI to radically enhance monitoring general. That means fewer lifeless zones than Quest 2 controllers and faster actions. I even have a tough time fooling these controllers, even when holding them behind my head when capturing bow and arrow in video games like Dungeons of Eternity.
Improved laptop imaginative and prescient and AI methods imply higher monitoring with fewer deadzones than the Quest 2.
What’s significantly fascinating is that Meta says, “The huge leap with monitoring enchancment was all achieved with laptop imaginative and prescient,” which means we must always anticipate huge enhancements over time.
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Samba De Amigo is a superb reboot of a Dreamcast and arcade basic, and the expertise is classy on Quest 3. The monitoring is ideal and labored precisely as I had hoped. It’s even higher than the arcade authentic since there are not any wires tethering the maracas — controllers, on this case — to an arcade cupboard.
Part of this enchancment is that the headset is monitoring your palms always. This performs right into a latest Quest hand monitoring replace that improved hand monitoring pace by 75% and now permits gamers to immediately swap between controller and hand monitoring, an enormous enchancment over how the tech used to work. Since launch, Meta has additional improved hand monitoring and it now works higher than ever, with extra video games and apps supporting it than ever.
Mixed controller and hand monitoring make utilizing the UI extra easy than earlier choices.
Despite the elimination of the rings and the discount within the variety of monitoring LEDs, Quest 3 controllers monitor higher than Quest 2 controllers ever hoped to.
All the management enhancements play into the large steps Meta has taken this 12 months so as to add in issues just like the Direct Touch UI. It’s simply nicer to have the ability to faucet an app’s tile along with your finger to start an expertise moderately than coping with a finicky app drawer or overly pushy retailer expertise being the very first thing you see.
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Meta continues to be utilizing AA batteries to energy the Quest 3, and battery life is anticipated to be so long as the Quest 2’s controllers. I’d advocate choosing up some rechargeable batteries for those who do not have already got some.
The redesigned battery door nonetheless snaps in with plastic clips just like the Quest 2, however these clips will not launch on their very own when strain is utilized. Instead, you will press a button to launch the door with a purpose to get to the battery. It’s a small quality-of-life enchancment that ought to assist maintain battery doorways closed when they need to be.
This may truly be my favourite a part of the redesign, because it permits for some extremely dope equipment that simply snap into the battery door and do not require difficult set up.
Meta Quest 3: Graphics and battery life
The Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 that powers the Meta Quest 3 affords 100% extra GPU processing energy than what’s within the Quest 2. To higher perceive that quantity, the typical graphics card upgrades on PCs solely enhance GPU processing energy by 20-30% every era on the most. In different phrases, that is the equal of upgrading your PC after roughly 4 years, and the tip outcome genuinely feels prefer it.
Red Matter 2 is likely one of the greatest video games you need to use to show the distinction between Quest 2 and three. That’s no shock because the builders frequently push the boundaries of what {hardware} can do, regardless of the platform. Even the intro loading display screen was mind-blowing to take a look at because the “cursor” from my hand emitted a faint ball of sunshine that may very well be used to light up surfaces of the rocky purple planet I used to be standing on.
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The very first thing I observed was the large enchancment in texture decision. The high quality feels straight out of a PSVR 2 sport and never one thing working on a cell chipset. Subsequently, the advance in readability introduced on by the 30% improve in show decision and the pancake lenses can’t be understated.
This is the most important enchancment in graphical constancy I’ve but seen between any VR headset era.
And the visuals do not simply look crisper and cleaner; they’re additionally extra purposeful. I used to be simply in a position to learn textual content on pages I picked up within the sport, a far cry from most current-generation VR headsets that usually supply a “translation” choice for in-game objects that can show massive, plain textual content overlaid on the digital paper.
In truth, video games like Hubris are utilizing the identical textures from the PSVR 2 and PC variations of the sport on the Quest 3, showcasing simply how huge a distinction the {hardware} is.
This is the most important enchancment in graphical constancy I’ve but seen between any VR headset era.
That makes issues way more immersive, too, since you do not have to consider urgent further buttons simply to have the ability to carry out a fundamental process like studying. I used to be additionally in a position to make out high quality particulars on objects like bottles, one thing that is not doable on a Quest 2 each due to the foggy lenses and the processing energy variations.
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Since launch, a number of Quest 3-exclusive video games have debuted together with Batman Arkham Shadow. Many different titles have obtained Quest 3 enhancements, and all new titles have at the very least some visible enhancements for the Quest 3, even when they’re nonetheless primarily developed for the Quest 2 in thoughts.
Now that the Quest 3S is out, extra builders shall be switching to creating for the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset that powers each the Quest 3 and 3S, which means video games in 2025 and past will begin to look even higher.
Battery life is barely worse than the Meta Quest 2, coming in at slightly below 2 hours per cost for me.
Unfortunately, none of which means that the Quest 3’s battery life is any higher than the Quest 2. In truth, I’d wager it is simply barely worse, and I wrestle to even get two hours of battery life out of a single cost.
For this purpose — and simply plain consolation — I’d advocate swapping out that material strap with a Kiwi H4 or Yoges Y13 battery strap as quickly as doable. They’re the 2 greatest straps obtainable and supply totally different consolation matches than the inventory strap.
Meta Quest 3: Competition
Meta’s solely actual competitors is itself, particularly within the standalone VR house. The Meta Quest takes up round 80% of the VR marketplace for a purpose, primarily due to value, ease of use, and 1000’s of video games obtainable.
The Meta Quest 3S is probably the most compelling various to the Quest 3 for a number of causes. While it makes use of the Quest 2’s older lenses and show, it has the identical highly effective chipset because the Quest 3, the identical glorious controllers because the Quest 3, and helps all Quest 3-exclusive and enhanced video games, all for $200 much less. Since each the Quest 3 and Quest 3S assist Steam VR, in addition they double as glorious, inexpensive PCVR headsets.
The solely different VR headset probably value shopping for now’s the PlayStation VR2. Sony’s assist of the PSVR 2 has been lackluster, at greatest, with solely a handful of unique titles within the almost two years it has been out. But, the video games which might be obtainable virtually all supply considerably improved visuals over their Meta Quest variations, together with extra superior haptic suggestions and the deep colours and blacks of its OLED show. Still, this one is not value shopping for except you have already got a PS5.
Meta Quest 3: Should you purchase it?
You can purchase it if….
- You need the most effective VR gaming expertise ever.
- You need an enormous improve in graphics and readability over the Quest 2.
- You’re fascinated by mixed-reality experiences.
You should not purchase this if…
- You do not need to spend more money on equipment for the most effective expertise.
- You’re not fascinated by VR.
The Meta Quest 3 is the most effective VR headset I’ve ever used. There’s no denying how a lot work Meta has put into the event of this next-generation VR headset, and it exhibits in nearly each method. From higher graphics to elevated readability, higher controllers, louder audio, slimmer {hardware}, and a considerably higher software program expertise than ever earlier than, that is the VR headset to purchase.
Just understand that you will have to spend more money to get the greatest expertise because the included face pad and material head strap are nonetheless a bit uncomfortable. Thankfully, Third-party firms supply compelling alternate options to Meta’s costly equipment, all whereas providing higher consolation choices and prolonged battery life.
If you care about getting the most effective standalone VR gaming expertise, you want a Quest 3. It’s actually so simple as that.
The Meta Quest 3 is the most effective VR headset you should purchase, due to a brand new chipset that that is 100% quicker than the Quest 2. Games not solely play effectively, however they appear significantly better, and the full-color passthrough enables you to see the world round you with ease.
