Meta Quest 3

Meta Quest 3
Basic Info
VR/AR	Mixed Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	Standalone VR, PC VR
Platform	Meta Quest, SteamVR (via Link/Air Link)
Developer	Meta Platforms
Manufacturer	Meta Platforms
Announcement Date	June 1, 2023
Release Date	October 10, 2023
Price	$499.99 USD (128 GB), $649.99 USD (512 GB)
Website	https://www.meta.com/quest/quest-3/
Predecessor	Meta Quest 2
Successor	Meta Quest 3S
System
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Storage
Storage	128 GB, 512 GB
Memory	8 GB LPDDR5
Display
Display	2x LCD
Resolution	2064x2208 per eye (4128x2208 combined)
Refresh Rate	72 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz
Image
Field of View	110° horizontal, 96° vertical
Optics
Optics	Pancake lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	53-75mm (continuous)
Passthrough	Full-color (2x 4MP RGB cameras)
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF (inside-out)
Eye Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	Yes (Hand Tracking 2.0)
Audio
Audio	Integrated speakers, 3D spatial audio, 3.5mm jack
Connectivity
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C
Device
Weight	~515g

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The Meta Quest 3 is a mixed reality head-mounted display developed by Meta Platforms, announced on June 1, 2023 and released on October 10, 2023 starting at $499.99. The successor to the Meta Quest 2, the Quest 3 features the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor with over 2x the GPU performance, higher resolution LCD displays at 2064x2208 per eye (30% more than Quest 2), pancake lenses for a 40% slimmer profile, and high-fidelity full-color passthrough with 10x the resolution of Quest 2 for true mixed reality experiences. The Quest 3 established mixed reality as a core feature of consumer VR headsets.

History and Development

Meta unveiled the Quest 3 on June 1, 2023, focusing on mixed reality capabilities as a key differentiator from the Quest 2. The headset launched on October 10, 2023 at $499.99 (128 GB), positioned between the budget-focused Quest 2 and the enterprise-oriented Quest Pro. The Quest 3 was followed by the more affordable Meta Quest 3S in 2024.^[1]

Design and Hardware

Display

Higher resolution LCD panels:

Dual LCD displays
2064x2208 resolution per eye
4128x2208 combined resolution
~30% higher resolution than Quest 2
72 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz refresh rates
Improved pixel density
Reduced screen door effect

Optics

Revolutionary pancake lens design:

Pancake lenses (first in Quest lineup)
Folded light path
40% thinner profile than Quest 2
Superior edge-to-edge clarity
Minimal god rays
Continuous IPD adjustment (53-75mm)

Processing

Next-generation Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2:

Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
4nm process (vs 7nm on Quest 2)
2.5x GPU performance vs XR2 Gen 1
33% faster CPU
8x AI performance (NPU)
50% better power efficiency
8 GB LPDDR5 RAM
128 GB or 512 GB storage

Passthrough

Industry-leading mixed reality:

2x 4MP RGB cameras
10x resolution vs Quest 2 passthrough
2x improvement vs Quest Pro
Full-color stereoscopic passthrough
12ms latency
True mixed reality experiences

Tracking

Enhanced inside-out tracking:

4 IR cameras for 6DoF tracking
6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF)
Room-scale tracking
Guardian system
Improved low-light tracking

Hand Tracking

Hand Tracking 2.0
Improved accuracy and latency
Controller-free interaction
Full hand gesture recognition

Build and Comfort

Redesigned form factor:

~515g weight
40% thinner than Quest 2
Balanced weight distribution
Soft facial interface
Adjustable head strap (Elite Strap optional)
Improved ventilation

Audio

Integrated stereo speakers
3D spatial audio
Enhanced bass
3.5mm headphone jack
Microphone for voice commands

Battery

Built-in rechargeable battery
~2.2 hours average use
USB-C charging
Elite Battery Strap accessory available

Controllers

Meta Quest Touch Plus

Redesigned controllers:

Slimmer profile (no tracking ring)
TruTouch haptics
Analog sticks
Triggers and grips
Face buttons
IR LEDs for tracking
AA battery powered

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E (improved wireless PCVR)
Bluetooth 5.2
USB-C 3.2 (Quest Link)
Air Link for wireless PCVR

Mixed Reality Features

Scene Understanding

Room mesh mapping
Furniture recognition
Surface detection
Spatial anchors

Passthrough AR

Full-color environment view
Mixed reality apps and games
Productivity in passthrough

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Display	Dual LCD
Resolution	2064x2208 per eye
Refresh Rate	72-120 Hz
Field of View	110° H x 96° V
Processor	Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
RAM	8 GB LPDDR5
Storage	128 GB / 512 GB
Passthrough	Full-color (4MP RGB)
Weight	~515g
Battery	~2.2 hours
Price	$499.99 / $649.99

Reception

Praise:

Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 major performance leap
Pancake lenses dramatically thinner
Full-color passthrough enables true MR
10x passthrough improvement transformative
30% resolution increase noticeable
120 Hz refresh rate smooth
Hand Tracking 2.0 improved
Continuous IPD adjustment convenient
Strong launch game library
$499 competitive pricing

Criticism:

LCD displays (not OLED)
~2.2 hour battery life limited
No eye tracking (unlike Quest Pro)
515g heavier than some competitors
Elite Strap sold separately
Storage not expandable^[2]

^[3]

References

[wikipedia-1] "Meta Quest 3". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Quest_3.

[vrcover-2] "Meta Quest 3 Specs, Price, Release Date and More". VR Cover. https://vrcover.com/meta-quest-3-release-date-price-specs-and-more/.

[gsmarena-3] "Meta Quest 3 debuts with higher res displays and Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip". GSMArena. https://www.gsmarena.com/meta_quest_3_debuts_with_higher_res_displays_and_snapdragon_xr2_gen_2_chip_-news-60054.html.

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