Meta’s new Quest 3 mixed reality headset hits store shelves on October 10. The 128GB version of the headset will cost $500, and the 512GB headset will cost $650.
Meta said all Quest 3 headset purchases will come with virtual reality RPG Asgard’s Wrath 2 until January 27, 2024. The 512GB headset will include a six-month free trial of Meta Quest+, the company’s VR subscription service. Meta Quest+ usually costs $8 a month or $60 annually.
The Meta Quest 3 is the social networking titan’s latest attempt to make VR more of a mainstream thing. The previous Meta Quest headsets were popular item during the pandemic, when people were sequestered in their homes with little else to do.
The headset will also beat Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro headset to market and cost $3,000 less. The Vision Pro is expected to go on sale in 2024. While the two aren’t direct competitors, pushing the Quest 3 now could help Meta firm up its position in the still-burgeoning VR/AR market.
The headset supports streaming apps like Peacock and Pluto TV, as well as YouTube VR. Apple’s headset, on the other hand, might not launch with compatibility for many streaming services. Developers have reportedly been hesitant to create apps for Apple’s Vision Pro due to its massive price tag.
The Quest 3 headset “features breakthrough mixed reality that enables a spectrum of experiences,” according to the company. The headset uses the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform developed in collaboration with Qualcomm. The chip enables faster load times and sharper images and was designed specifically for mixed reality experiences.
The headset also includes a 4K+ Infinite Display which Meta says improves resolution by 30% in comparison to the Quest 2. The display supports 25 pixels per degree and 1,218 pixels per inch.
The Quest 3 also boasts a slimmer optic profile, a more comfortable fit and improved sound quality.
Preorders are open now on Meta’s website.
Image Credit: Meta