Meta Quest 3

Meta Quest 3
Basic Info
VR/AR	Mixed Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	Standalone VR
Platform	Meta Quest Platform
Creator	Meta Platforms
Developer	Reality Labs
Manufacturer	Meta Platforms
Announcement Date	June 1, 2023
Release Date	October 10, 2023
Price	$499.99 (128GB), $649.99 (512GB)
Website	https://www.meta.com/quest/quest-3/
Versions	128GB, 512GB
Requires	Meta account
Predecessor	Meta Quest 2
System
Operating System	Meta Quest OS (Android-based)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
CPU	Octa-core Kryo (1× 3.2 GHz + 3× 2.8 GHz + 4× 2.0 GHz)
GPU	Adreno 740
Storage
Storage	128GB or 512GB
Memory	8GB LPDDR5
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Dual LCD
Subpixel Layout	RGB stripe
Peak Brightness	~100 nits (perceived)
Resolution	2064 × 2208 per eye (4128 × 2208 combined)
Pixel Density	25 PPD, 1218 PPI
Refresh Rate	72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz
Persistence	Low persistence
Image
Field of View	110° horizontal, 96° vertical
Horizontal FoV	110°
Vertical FoV	96°
Average Pixel Density	25 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	25 PPD
Foveated Rendering	Fixed foveated rendering
Optics
Optics	Custom dual-element pancake lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	53-75mm (continuous adjustment)
Adjustable Diopter	No (glasses spacer included)
Passthrough	Yes (full-color stereo, high resolution)
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF inside-out
Tracking Frequency	60Hz (cameras)
Base Stations	None required
Eye Tracking	No
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	Yes (v2.2)
Body Tracking	No
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Update Rate	Up to 120Hz
Tracking Volume	Room-scale
Play Space	Roomscale
Latency	<12ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio	Integrated spatial audio speakers
Microphone	Yes (3D spatial audio microphones)
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	2× RGB passthrough cameras, depth projector, tracking cameras
Connectivity
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Ports	USB-C, 3.5mm audio
Wired Video	Yes (Quest Link via USB-C)
Wireless Video	Yes (Air Link)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3
Power	Internal battery
Battery Capacity	5060mAh (19.44Wh)
Battery Life	~2.2 hours (gaming), ~2.9 hours (media)
Charge Time	~2.3 hours
Device
Dimensions	184mm × 160mm × 98mm
Weight	515g
Material	Plastic
Headstrap	Soft fabric strap
Haptics	Controller haptics (TruTouch)
Color	White
Sensors	Tracking cameras, RGB passthrough cameras, depth projector, proximity sensor, IMU
Input	Touch Plus controllers, hand tracking, voice
Compliance	FCC, CE

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The Meta Quest 3 is a standalone mixed reality head-mounted display developed by Meta Platforms, announced on June 1, 2023, and released on October 10, 2023. Priced at $499.99 for the 128GB model, the Quest 3 represents Meta's first headset designed from the ground up for mixed reality, featuring breakthrough full-color passthrough cameras, a depth sensor for environmental understanding, and custom dual-element pancake lenses enabling a 40% slimmer optical profile than the Quest 2. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor delivering 2× the graphics performance of its predecessor, the Quest 3 offers 2064 × 2208 resolution per eye (~30% more pixels than Quest 2), a wide 110° horizontal field of view, and support for up to 120Hz refresh rate. The Quest 3 established mixed reality as a mainstream capability, blending virtual content seamlessly with the real world and setting the standard for standalone XR devices.

History and Development

Quest Platform Evolution

The Quest platform established Meta's dominance in standalone VR:

Quest 1 (2019): First standalone 6DoF VR
Quest 2 (2020): Mainstream breakthrough, 20+ million sold
Quest Pro (2022): Premium with pancake lenses and eye tracking
Quest 3 (2023): Mixed reality focus, pancake lenses mainstream

Development Focus

Quest 3 prioritized mixed reality:

Full-color high-resolution passthrough
Depth sensing for world understanding
Pancake lenses from Quest Pro
Mainstream pricing

Announcement and Launch

Meta unveiled Quest 3 through:

June 2023: Initial announcement
September 2023: Full reveal at Meta Connect
October 2023: Worldwide launch
Coincided with new games and MR experiences

Apple Vision Pro Competition

Quest 3 launched months before Apple Vision Pro:

Positioned as accessible MR alternative
Fraction of Vision Pro's price
Established MR market presence first
Different target demographics

Display Technology

Dual LCD Panels

High-resolution displays:

Resolution: 2064 × 2208 per eye
Total: 4128 × 2208 (~9 million pixels)
Improvement: ~30% more pixels than Quest 2
Pixel Density: 25 PPD (1218 PPI)

Visual Quality

Significant improvements:

Sharper text and details
Reduced screen door effect
Better color reproduction
Wide viewing angle

Refresh Rate

Multiple modes:

72Hz: Power saving
90Hz: Standard VR
120Hz: High refresh mode

Pancake Lens Optics

Custom Design

First mainstream Meta headset with pancake lenses:

Type: Dual-element pancake design
Profile: 40% slimmer than Quest 2's Fresnel
Clarity: Edge-to-edge sharpness
God rays: Significantly reduced vs. Fresnel

Field of View

Wider than Quest 2:

Horizontal: 110°
Vertical: 96°
Total: ~104° diagonal
Improved immersion

IPD Adjustment

Continuous mechanical adjustment:

Range: 53-75mm
Motor-assisted
Wider range than Quest 2
Better accommodation

Optical Quality

Benefits of pancake design:

Clearer sweet spot
Better uniformity
Reduced chromatic aberration
Premium visual experience

Processing Power

Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

Significant generational improvement:

CPU: Octa-core Kryo
GPU: Adreno 740
Performance: 2× GPU over XR2 Gen 1
Efficiency: 4nm process

Performance Gains

Over Quest 2:

2× graphical performance
Better sustained performance
More complex games possible
Improved MR processing

Memory

RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB or 512GB

Mixed Reality Capabilities

Full-Color Passthrough

Breakthrough passthrough system:

High-resolution color cameras
Stereoscopic 3D view
Good color accuracy
Low latency

Depth Sensing

Dedicated depth sensor enables:

Room understanding
Surface detection
Object recognition
Occlusion handling

MR Applications

New category of experiences:

AR games in your space
Virtual screens in real rooms
Interactive MR experiences
Spatial productivity

Environmental Understanding

Scene understanding features:

Automatic room scanning
Wall and floor detection
Furniture recognition
Persistent spatial anchors

Tracking System

Inside-Out Tracking

Enhanced camera system:

6DoF head tracking
6DoF controller tracking
Room-scale capable
No external sensors

Hand Tracking v2.2

Improved hand recognition:

Full articulated hands
Better accuracy
Lower latency
More reliable

Controller-Free Experiences

Direct Touch capabilities:

Touch virtual buttons directly
Natural hand interactions
Controller optional for many apps

Controllers

Touch Plus Controllers

New controller design:

Design: No tracking rings
Tracking: Via headset cameras
Haptics: TruTouch technology
Power: AA batteries

Controller Improvements

Over Quest 2 Touch:

Slimmer profile
Better haptic feedback
Direct Touch support
Improved ergonomics

Audio System

Integrated Speakers

Improved spatial audio:

Positioned near ears
Better bass response
3D positional audio
Environmental awareness

3D Audio Microphones

Enhanced capture:

Multiple microphones
Spatial audio recording
Clear voice quality

Battery and Power

Internal Battery

Capacity: 5060mAh (19.44Wh)
Gaming: ~2.2 hours
Media: ~2.9 hours
Charging: ~2.3 hours via USB-C

Extended Play

Options available:

Elite Battery Strap accessory
Third-party battery packs
USB-C power bank

PC VR Connectivity

Quest Link

Wired PC VR:

USB-C connection
Full Rift library
SteamVR games
High quality

Air Link

Wireless PC VR:

Wi-Fi 6E streaming
Low latency
Freedom of movement
Recommended: 5GHz dedicated

Physical Design

Form Factor

Slimmer than Quest 2:

40% thinner optical profile
Better weight balance
Modern aesthetic
White color scheme

Weight

515g (similar to Quest 2)
Improved distribution
Comfortable for most users

Head Strap

Basic strap included:

Soft fabric design
Adequate for casual use
Elite Strap recommended for extended sessions

Software Platform

Quest Store

Comprehensive library:

Hundreds of VR games
MR applications
Productivity apps
Social experiences

Backward Compatibility

Full Quest 2 library:

All Quest 2 games
Enhanced for Quest 3 graphics
Automatic upgrades available

MR-Specific Content

New category of apps:

Mixed reality games
AR utilities
Spatial productivity
Interactive experiences

Accessories

Official Accessories

Elite Strap
Elite Battery Strap
Charging Dock
Carrying Case
Prescription lens inserts

Third-Party Ecosystem

Extensive accessory market:

Head straps
Facial interfaces
Controller grips
Protection cases

Comparison

Feature	Quest 3	Quest 2	Quest Pro
Price	$499	$299 (discontinued)	$999 (discontinued)
Processor	XR2 Gen 2	XR2 Gen 1	XR2+ Gen 1
Resolution/eye	2064×2208	1832×1920	1800×1920
Lenses	Pancake	Fresnel	Pancake
FOV	110°	~89°	106°
Passthrough	Full color HD	Grayscale	Full color
Eye Tracking	No	No	Yes
Weight	515g	503g	722g

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification	Details
Display	Dual LCD, 2064 × 2208 per eye
Total Resolution	~4128 × 2208
Lenses	Dual-element pancake
FOV	110° horizontal
Refresh Rate	72/90/120Hz
Processor	Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Memory	8GB LPDDR5
Storage	128GB / 512GB
Passthrough	Full-color stereo + depth
Hand Tracking	Yes (v2.2)
Battery	~2.2 hours gaming
Weight	515g
Price	$499.99 / $649.99

References