- On Wednesday, Meta unveiled Quest 3, the follow-up to the all-time best-selling VR headset.
- Starting at $499, the device is $200 more expensive than its predecessor, but it has better screens, a Qualcomm CPU with greater processing power, and a function called “passthrough” that is anticipated to be a significant component of Apple’s rival Vision Pro headset.
- The ability to swiftly view the outside world makes the Quest 3 headset unique and will make it less isolating and more comfortable to use for extended periods of time. Double-tapping any section of the headset while using an app on the Quest 3 exits a virtual environment and enters “passthrough” mode.
- Additional enhancements include “pancake lenses,” a type of optic introduced on Meta’s Quest Pro that allows for higher resolution and crisper photos.
- With a revised headband strap and a smaller headset design, the hardware has undergone a considerable overhaul. To more evenly distribute weight, the headband divides the top strap into two halves. Nonetheless, at 515 grams, the entire headset is just a little bit heavier than its predecessor. The device’s speakers have also been upgraded, and they deliver high-quality audio.
- The two required controllers have also been updated by Meta with improved haptic feedback. It utilizes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 CPU, which is Arm-based and more closely resembles a mobile processor than a PC processor in terms of power and energy waste.
- The Quest 3 emphasizes passthrough, meaning the cameras outside the device may show live video on the displays inside the headset, functioning much like a transparent pair of glasses that can also show computer windows and other visuals. This feature is the biggest advance to usability. In order for apps to alert you when you’re likely to crash into your surroundings, the Quest 3 can also scan the area around you.
