At Connect 2023, Meta pulled back the curtain on its mixed-reality VR headset, the Meta Quest 3. This announcement has been eagerly awaited since Mark Zuckerberg teased the product earlier in June. The Quest 3’s unveiling happens a solid three years post the debut of its predecessor, the Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as Oculus Quest 2), and approximately a year after the Quest Pro hit the market.
What Makes the Quest 3 Special?
The hardware underpinning the Quest 3 is no slouch. It boasts an upgraded Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, complemented by 8GB of RAM and a 4K+ Infinite screen that delivers 2064 x 2208 pixels for each eye. Shifting its emphasis to mixed-reality rather than solely virtual, Meta has elevated the augmented reality prowess of the headset. This comes in the form of dual external RGB cameras, paving the way for vibrant Passthrough visuals.
In tandem with the headset, Meta unveiled redesigned Touch Plus controllers, characterized by their force feedback courtesy of TruTouch haptics. A deeper dive into how the Quest 3 stacks up against competitors like Apple’s Vision Pro can be found [here].
That’s not all. Meta took this opportunity to introduce an updated version of their Ray-Ban smart glasses. Noteworthy features include enhanced audio, a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 processor at its heart. For a more detailed look at these smart glasses, click here.
Getting Your Hands on the Quest 3
With preorders currently active and a release date set for early October, here’s a guide for Australians keen to secure the Meta Quest 3.
Preorder Details for Australia
Image: Courtesy of Meta
Those in Australia eyeing the Quest 3 have two main avenues: directly via Meta or through Amazon Australia. Price-wise, the 128GB variant is priced at $799.95, while the more spacious 512GB version is up for grabs at $1,049.99. An added bonus for early birds: a copy of the game Asgard’s Wrath II.
Preorder links:
- Amazon Australia:
Key Specifications of the Quest 3
Image: Courtesy of Meta
- Processor: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
- Storage Options: 128GB, 512GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery Life: Approximately 2.9 hours (usage-dependent)
- Display: 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye, 4K+ Infinite Display (25PPD and 1218PPI)
- Refresh Rates: Standard at 90Hz, with an experimental 120Hz
- FOV: 110° (H), 96° (V)
- Lens: IPD adjustment ranging from 58mm-71mm
- Sensors: Dual RGB color cameras
- Sound: In-built stereo speakers supporting 3D spatial audio
Official Release Date
For those down under, the Quest 3 begins its journey to customers starting October 10.
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