Meta has unveiled its next-generation mixed reality headset, the Quest 3, just days before the expected debut of Apple’s first mixed reality headset, the Apple Reality Pro. This strategic move by Meta is sure to stir up the competition in the mixed reality market.

The Quest 3, priced at $499.99 for the 128GB model, is set to be released in the fall. More details about pre-orders and sale dates are expected to be announced during Meta’s annual conference starting on September 27th. In a surprising move, Meta has also announced a price reduction for the current-generation Quest 2 VR headset. Starting from June 4th, the headset will be available at a retail price of $299.99, returning to its previous price point after a $100 increase in July 2022.

The Quest 3 is equipped with a state-of-the-art Snapdragon chipset, believed to be the Snapdragon XR3 chip. This chipset is said to deliver over double the graphical performance compared to the GPU of the Snapdragon XR2, the processor powering the Quest 2 headset. The Quest 3 will feature the highest resolution display ever offered by Meta, along with pancake optics, promising seamless performance and enhanced visual details for a more immersive gaming experience.

The newly released Quest 3 headset from Meta showcases redesigned Touch Plus controllers that eliminate the need for outer tracking rings. Meta has stated that the Quest 3 supports hand tracking by default, with Direct Touch support. The newly designed controllers also incorporate TruTouch haptics, a feature originally found on the Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers. These controllers can be purchased separately and are compatible with the Quest 3 headset.

According to Meta, the Quest 3 boasts a 40 percent thinner optic profile (excluding the foam facial interface) when compared to the Quest 2 headset. The front of the device is equipped with a set of sensors; however, it does not offer support for advanced face-tracking capabilities. The newly launched mixed reality headset is designed to be compatible with Meta’s extensive library of games, consisting of 500 VR apps and games, which are currently available for the Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro.

Stay tuned for more updates on the latest technology news.

Source: Live Mint