Meta Quest 3: Specs, price, release date, and everything we know so far

Revised: As of September 21, 2023 at 3:58 PM ET, our Meta Quest 3 speculation hub has been revised to feature a video showcasing the passthrough mode and details about the release timeframe.

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The Meta Quest 2 has been in existence for a significant amount of time. It underwent a name change halfway through its cycle, transitioning from Oculus Quest 2 to Meta Quest 2. Despite being on the market for only three years, since its release in late 2020, the device is starting to become outdated. Therefore, it is time for the next generation, the Meta Quest 3, to replace it. With the official announcement of the Quest 3 by Meta, here are all the details about this new virtual reality equipment.

Meta Quest 3: Release date, price, and availability

On June 1, 2023, Meta revealed the Meta Quest 3. Although the next-generation mixed-reality headset is not currently available for purchase, you can register for updates at this time.

The popular social media platform announced that there will be various storage choices available. However, they have only disclosed the pricing information for the 128GB base model, which will be priced at $499.99. This is a $200 increase from the initial launch price of the Quest 2. According to interviews, it was previously reported that Meta had intended to target a price range of $300 to $500. Regrettably, they have ultimately settled on the higher end of that range.

Meta has not yet provided a definitive date for its release. Instead, the company has given a launch timeframe of fall 2023. However, they have stated that further details will be revealed on September 27, 2023, at the Meta Connect conference taking place this year.

According to a leaked post on Amazon’s Canadian website, the headset was scheduled to be released on October 10, 2023. However, the post has since been removed. Despite this, AmazeVR, a promoter of VR concerts, has announced that a live VR concert will be held on October 27, with attendees using the Quest 3. Therefore, October appears to be a likely timeframe for the release.

In an interview with The Verge, Mark Rabkin revealed that the company is working on two other headsets, in addition to the one already announced. One of these devices, known internally as “Ventura,” is expected to be a more affordable version of the Quest 3 and is slated for release in 2024. If the $499 price tag is too steep for you, it may be wise to wait for Meta to launch this budget-friendly option in a year’s time.

Meta Quest 3: Specs

Unfortunately, Meta did not provide a thorough explanation of the specifications for the Quest 3. They simply gave general descriptions, mentioning things like a high-resolution display and advanced Snapdragon chipset. They did mention that the optics are now 40% slimmer and the controllers have TruTouch haptics. As there is not much information available yet, we must depend on leaks and interviews for further details.

According to reports, the resolution of the Quest 3 could potentially be either 4,128 x 2,208 pixels or 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye. This would result in a 30% increase compared to the Quest 2’s 1,920 x 1,832 pixels per eye. Furthermore, there are speculations that Meta might utilize uOLED displays for the Quest 3, although there have also been rumors about the use of OLED or mini-LED displays. Additionally, these displays could potentially have a refresh rate of 120Hz, which was introduced for the Quest 2 in 2021.

New information revealed from leaked sources suggests that the Qualcomm chip used in the Quest 2 could possibly be a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. For those familiar with mobile processors, this chip is essentially a modified version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is currently used in the most high-performing phones of this year. This upgrade would be the most significant improvement, as the Quest 2 currently utilizes an XR2 Gen 1 chip, which is similar to the Snapdragon 865 chip found in devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S20.

In July, the Touch Plus controllers received approval from the FCC. In the listing, it was confirmed that these controllers will use one AA battery each. It was also confirmed that the controllers will use the same 2.4 GHz wireless spectrum as Meta’s previous controllers.

After receiving FCC certification, the controllers were followed by the headset a few weeks later. According to the documents, it appears that the Meta Quest 3 will have compatibility with Wi-Fi 6E. This feature will likely decrease interference from other devices.

We now have confirmation that there will be a 128GB storage option. Speculations have also mentioned the possibility of a 512GB model for the other storage option.

Meta Quest 3: Features

The Meta Quest 3, like its previous model, is a comprehensive headset that includes all necessary components within itself. This eliminates the need for cables or external connections to a console or computer. The latest version of the Quest boasts several enhancements such as hand tracking and full-color passthrough. We will discuss each of these features in detail, beginning with the overall design.

Design

In August, a Reddit user who appears to have acquired a Quest 3 unit ahead of its release shared an unboxing video. The packaging includes the headset and controllers, but the video ends before revealing the last item in a smaller box. This leak is reminiscent of last year’s incident where a hotel employee accidentally came across a Quest Pro unit and made an impromptu unboxing video.

By comparing them side by side, it is clear that the new system is much thinner. Not only that, it is also reported to be significantly lighter, which is beneficial for a device that is worn on the face. Despite its slimmer and lighter build, the Quest 3 still draws inspiration from its predecessor’s design philosophy.

The Quest 3 differs from the Quest 2 in another aspect – it features a dial at the bottom. This dial serves as an interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment wheel, as seen in the CAD images shared by YouTuber SadlyItsBradley (Brad Lynch).

Moreover, the headset seems to have four cameras, including two side cameras for tracking and a depth sensor. Curiously, it seems that the components needed for eye and face tracking are not present. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, there was no eye and face tracking during his hands-on demo in May. Considering how much emphasis Zuckerberg placed on this feature during Meta’s Connect 2022 presentation, it’s unexpected that it’s not included in the Quest 3.

Meta not only updated the headset, but also made some changes to the controllers. The Touch Plus controllers for Quest 3 have been redesigned and no longer use a halo for tracking, instead using hand tracking in the air. The company claims that improvements in tracking technology made it possible to remove the rings, making the controllers more streamlined and comfortable to use. The headset is also compatible with the fully self-tracked Touch Pro controllers.

Performance

Based on Meta’s statement, the system provides double the graphic capabilities compared to the previous generation Snapdragon GPU found in Quest 2. On the other hand, Gurman suggested that the screen resolution was similar to the Quest 2, but there was a noticeable increase in performance due to the second-generation Snapdragon XR2 chipset. He specifically highlighted quicker app launch times, smoother system navigation, and improved gameplay.

Mixed Reality

If you’re wondering what the depth sensors are for, they’re meant for mixed reality. In the report mentioned earlier from The Verge, Rabkin explained that mixed reality is a core focus for the Quest 3. Meta’s goal was to make mixed reality “feel better, easier, more natural.”

Part of that was improving the passthrough mode known as “guardian,” which allows you to see around your environment with the headset on. It previously appeared in black and white, but Meta says the mode now uses high-fidelity color, as well as machine learning and spatial understanding to let you interact with virtual and physical objects. This makes it the first mainstream headset to have a high-resolution, color passthrough.

A recent development in passthrough technology was showcased in a video featuring the AR collaboration platform, Campfire. Twitter user Luna shared the video and stated that it provides insight into the potential quality of passthrough technology.

This is the app Campfire3D, running on a Meta Quest 3 devkit.

It is evident that the user is using a Touch Plus controller, which is confirmed by the presence of the Oculus logo on the home button, as seen in some devkits.

Provides a sneak peek into the potential quality of the passthrough feature. pic.twitter.com/onpWYFDMPa

— Luna (@Lunayian) September 19, 2023

According to Gurman, the video passthrough feature provides more precise colors and a lifelike representation of reality. In his hands-on experience, Gurman also stated that the headset would include environmental meshing, which allows for the detection of real-world walls and their integration into gameplay.

are constantly being added to the Play Store

The Play Store is consistently updated with new games and apps.

The third version of Meta’s Quest was revealed just one week before the Summer Game Fest and other video game events that have taken over as the main source of news in June, instead of E3. This means we can anticipate learning more about the games that will be available on the platform in the upcoming week. However, the company also held its Meta Quest Gaming Showcase soon after announcing the new headset.

The presentation provided a glimpse at 25 upcoming games for the Quest 3. Standouts included Asgard’s Wrath 2, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, Stranger Things VR, Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice. The remaining titles that were revealed are listed below.

Meta intends to offer 41 fresh applications and games upon its release, with a significant number of them being developed by Oculus Studios. It has also been disclosed that Meta is collaborating with Rockstar Games to incorporate Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. During the recent exhibition, we were given a glimpse of more than half of the anticipated launch games. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there is a possibility of delays for any of these games.

Backwards compatibility

The Quest 3 is set to release with 41 games and apps, which is a strong start. However, it could benefit even more from the existing library of the Quest 2. Unlike PlayStation, which had to redesign their control schemes when transitioning from PSVR to PSVR 2, the Quest 3 may be able to maintain backwards compatibility with the Quest 2’s library.

Meta did confirm that the Quest 3 will be backwards compatible. So apps like Beat Saber and Bonelab should work perfectly fine with the Quest 3. Meta points out that the Quest 2’s library contains over 500 games, apps, and experiences, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding something to do.

Meta Quest 3: Where is it available for purchase?

If you are interested in upgrading, please note that it is currently not possible to do so. The device is set to be released sometime in the fall. While there is no specific information at this time, we anticipate that preorders will become available in the near future. When preorders are open, you will likely be able to place your order through the Meta Store.

The company stated that the system will be accessible in all markets where Meta Quest is currently used. This includes 23 countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

As previously stated, the 128GB variant will be priced at $500. We will keep this article updated as more details become available.

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Meta Quest 3: FAQ