Key Takeaways
- The Meta Quest 3, the successor to the popular Quest 2 VR headset, is set to be released on September 27 2023, with a price tag of $499.99.
- The Quest 3 will feature a slimmer and lighter design compared to its predecessor, along with a redesigned set of front cameras and improved IPD adjustment.
- Rumoured specs for the Quest 3 include a next-generation Qualcomm XR chipset, pancake lenses, dual displays, and larger storage options. Eye and face tracking may not be included to keep costs down.
The Meta Quest 2, formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, is undoubtedly the world's most popular VR device, so it's no surprise that Meta has announced it's making a successor - the Meta Quest 3.
The last headset succeeded in changing the perception of VR as a cumbersome and cost-prohibitive activity, propelling it into the mainstream with an easy-to-use wireless standalone experience.
However, the Quest 2 is over two years old at this point, and advances in both optics and mobile processing mean that its successor could be something very special.
Here's everything we know so far about the headset, including when to expect it, how much it'll cost and what features it might have.
Meta Quest 3 release date and pricing
Meta Quest 3
Meta Quest 3 has improved visuals and comfort as well as the promise of colour passthrough and mixed reality experiences too.
- Unveiling at Meta Connect on September 27 2023
- Priced at $499.99
Meta holds its annual Meta Connect event in the Autumn each year, and it's already confirmed that the 2023 edition will feature more information about the Meta Quest 3. The keynote takes place on 27 September, and you can tune in to the live stream here.
The Quest 2 was launched at the event in 2020 (it was called Facebook Connect at the time) and then the Quest Pro was launched during the 2022 event, so it makes a lot of sense for Meta to use the platform to more fully launch its next headset, as well.
Leading up to the initial announcement, Meta had been pretty vague about what price it would attach to the Quest 3, but we now know that it will cost $499.99, again bumping up the Quest line's prices.
The Quest 2 launched at $299 but the price was later increased to $399 and again lowered after the announcement of the Quest 3. A bump to $499 wouldn't be too shocking, given the improved specifications.
Meta Quest 3 design
- Aesthetically similar to the Quest 2, soft strap, front-mounted battery
- Significantly slimmed-down
- Full IPD adjustment, charging dock compatible
We knew that the Quest 3 would look both familiar and new thanks to leaks in the weeks running up to its announcement, and they've proven spot-on.
The headset's front-on silhouette is similar to the Quest 2, but with a huge difference in the bulk of the front section - it's way thinner and will be around 40% lighter (although we don't yet know its exact weight).
In addition, there are some obvious new changes in the form of a redesigned set of front cameras that are far more obvious on the headset, pill-shaped and allowing for much more sophisticated cameras to be housed (more on those later).
A hands-on experience shared by Mark Gurman gave us some juicy information on how these will work: "The left and right pills each include one colour video pass-through camera (the part that lets you see the world around you) as well as a standard camera. That means it has two colour cameras versus only non-colour cameras on the Quest 2. The middle pill includes a depth sensor, a first for a Quest."
Otherwise, the Quest 3's design language and shape don't stray too far from its predecessor - it still comes with a soft strap and the battery is still mounted in the front. Many expected the Quest 3 to come with an Elite-style strap, like the Pico 4, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
What's new, though, is the positioning of the USB-C port and headphone socket, which are now located on the bungs where the strap attaches to the headset. Gurman also said that the Quest 3 "uses fabric on the sides instead of the Quest 2’s plastic" - which we now think refers to the deep padding around the eyes, which replaces the rigid plastic flares of the original headset.
The Quest 3 will also feature proper IPD adjustment, with a rotatable wheel on the underside of the headset to shift the optics, a big upgrade over the notched IPD adjustment of the Quest 2.
We first wondered if the Quest 3 would be compatible with the Quest Pro's charging dock, as it has similar pogo-pin contacts on the base of the unit - but in the time since, a retailer accidentally leaked some official accessories, and it appears that the Quest 3 will get its own charging dock, which will retail for €149.99 in Europe.
There will also be an Elite battery strap for €149.99, a silicon facial interface for €49.99 and an official carrying case for €79.99, according to the leak.
Away from the headset itself, meanwhile, the twin controllers have also been redesigned and will have new haptics that Meta is calling TruTouch - hopefully, this feels as impressive as those used by Sony on the PlayStation 5's DualSense, for example.
Meta Quest 3 rumoured specs
- Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2?
- Pancake lenses, Dual displays
- Larger RAM and storage options
The Quest 3 is taking the Quest further into the world of mixed reality, not just virtual reality, thanks to those new full-colour pass-through cameras, showing that the Quest Pro isn't a one-off.
However, unlike the Quest Pro, the Quest 3 will likely not have eye and face tracking - in order to keep costs low.
It's suspected that the Quest 3 will use the exact same pancake lenses as the Quest Pro, representing a significant visual upgrade over the Quest 2. It's also expected that the headset will feature dual displays, though there have been conflicting reports on whether these will be LCD, OLED or Mini LED.
We know that the Quest 3's chipset will be quite substantially upgraded - Meta has said it's a "next-generation" chip and will result in a doubling of graphical power, so we'll definitely be seeing the next generation of Qualcomm XR chipset on the new headset, too. Some are calling it the XR3 and others are saying it will be called the XR2 Gen 2. Either way, it'll make for boosted performance and likely increased efficiency, too.
We also know that the $500 standard version of the Meta Quest 3 will come with 128GB of onboard storage by default, although higher-storage versions will apparently be available too.
Beyond this, while the headset is now official and has been announced, we don't know very many specs for it at all, so we do have to fall back a little on leaks and rumours.
The various leaks contain all sorts of information on what the Quest 3 might offer. One of the firmware leaks seemingly suggests that the Quest 3 might well support a resolution of 4,128 by 2,208 pixels (2,064 by 2,208 pixels per eye). The rumours are that the headset might also support a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes a lot of sense as Quest 2 also has the option for a 120Hz refresh rate.
Meta Quest 3 rumours: What's happened so far?
5 September 2023: Retailer leaks official Quest 3 accessories and pricing
A retailer accidentally posted the Meta Quest 3 accessories early, revealing the European pricing for an Elite battery strap, charging dock, carrying case and silicon facial interface.
1 June 2023: Meta announces the Quest 3
Meta finally made the Quest 3 official, promising more information in October when it's ready for launch.
May 28 2023: Mark Gurman goes hands-on with the Quest 3
Mark Gurman's Bloomberg newsletter includes a description of his hands-on experience with the unannounced Quest 3 - no pictures yet, though.
October 27 2022: Meta teases next-generation Quest headset coming in 2023: Is it Quest 3?
Meta has begun teasing the next-generation version of its cheaper Quest VR headset.
September 30 2022: Meta Quest 3 leaks suggest its a mixed-reality headset
XR Hardware Analyst, Brad Lynch (aka SadlyItsBradley) has posted a video that shows off CAD renderings of the Meta Quest 3 aka "Project Stinson".