Meta has officially revealed its next major headset, the Meta Quest 3. The headset will be available in all countries “where Meta Quest is currently supported” and will launch this fall for $499.99.

The headset has been unveiled months ahead of its release, perhaps pre-empting and stealing the thunder from Apple’s WWDC set to take place next week where it is expected that it will unveil its long-awaited mixed reality headset.

The Meta Quest 3 headset is launching this fall. The 128Gb version of the headset will go for $499.99. There is also an “additional storage option” for users who want more space. The price is yet to be specified.

The Quest 3 headset features a design that is lighter and more comfortable than the Quest 2 headset. The optic profile is “40 percent slimmer” without factoring in the foam facial interface. Inside is a new Snapdragon chip that offers twice the graphics performance.

The Quest 3 headset is also compatible with the Quest 2 in games. This is the key as the Quest 2 headset will be around for quite some time and at a lower price.

Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets
Meta Quest 2 (left) and Quest 3 (right) headsets

Meta stated that from June 4th, the Quest 2 headset price will drop to $299.99 from $399.99 for the 128GB version. The price of t

he 256GB version of the headset will also see an $80 price cut, going from $429.99 to $349.99, thereby reversing the base model’s price hike that Meta effected last year. The Quest 2 headset with additional storage is now much cheaper than before.

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There is also an upcoming Quest software update while the premium Quest Pro headset is set to increase its CPU and GPU performance while also enabling Dynamic Resolution Scaling.

Quest 3 Expanded View
Quest 3 Expanded View

Meta’s unveiling came just days before Apple reveals its much-awaited mixed-reality headset. The reveal also came hours ahead of Meta VR platform’s game showcase set to begin at 1 PM ET. Meta promised it would showcase a AAA adventure title at the event with additional details set to be unveiled at the annual Meta Connect event that will take place on September 27th.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently had a hands-on with the then-unannounced Quest 3 headset and reported his detailed hands-on experience with the still unannounced device earlier in the week. According to Gurman, the device is not only lighter but it is also more comfortable than Quest 2. The design also features new sensors as well as redesigned controllers.

In the video above, you can make out the three new sensor areas located across the front of the device which clearly differentiates the Quest 3 from Meta’s earlier headsets. It also features a head strap.

Gurman reported that the pill-shaped zones contain four cameras that are evenly split between the left and right sides. Two of these are full-color cameras while the other two are standard cameras.

The headset also has one depth sensor located in the middle for improving the headset’s augmented reality performance.

Also visible from the video are new Touch Plus controllers featuring TruTouch haptics “for experiences you can feel” but which do not have the old rings that used to be there for positional tracking functions.

The announcement did not provide much detail on the sensor setup. However, the depth sensor should be compatible with controllers. Meta also confirmed it will support hand tracking out of the box.

https://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Meta-Quest-2-and-Quest-3-headsets.pnghttps://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Meta-Quest-2-and-Quest-3-headsets-150x90.pngRob GrantBusinessMetaMeta has officially revealed its next major headset, the Meta Quest 3. The headset will be available in all countries “where Meta Quest is currently supported” and will launch this fall for $499.99. The headset has been unveiled months ahead of its release, perhaps pre-empting and stealing the thunder from...VR, Oculus Rift, and Metaverse News - Cryptocurrency, Adult, Sex, Porn, XXX