TWO-MINUTE META QUEST 3 REVIEW
People frequently ask me, "Which VR headset should I purchase?" Since its release in October 2020, I have recommended Oculus Quest 2. It does an excellent job of delivering virtual reality experiences, particularly considering how affordable it is, and the Quest Store is home to an incredible collection of software.
In the foreseeable future, I will only recommend Meta Quest 3 from this point forward.
Simply stated, the Meta Quest 3 is the finest VR headset available for the majority of individuals. Certainly, it will not offer the same efficacy as the Apple Vision Pro or computer- or console-powered headgear, such as a Valve Index or a PSVR 2 headset. However, it is considerably less expensive than those alternatives, and like the Quest 2 before it, it offers more for the money.
Its new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset provides 2.5 times greater graphic capability than the Oculus Quest 2. In practice, this correlates to sharper visuals (text is now very readable) and significantly enhanced illumination effects in Quest 3-updated VR experiences. The higher-resolution displays and additional RAM are also valuable enhancements.
With regard to design, Quest 3 addresses many of my greatest Quest 2 complaints. It's now simpler to modify the headpiece without taking it off, and due to the 40% slimmer design and enhanced harness, it feels more comfortable and secure on my head. I wish it had a slightly better harness like the Meta Quest Pro and a silicone face cover that is simpler to clean than the existing fabric one.
However, the controllers are excellent; it turns out that with the proper hardware and artificial intelligence, tracking rings are unnecessary.
We also cannot disregard the mixed-reality capabilities of this headgear. The full-color passthrough quality places the Meta Quest Pro's mixed reality in disgrace, despite its imperfections (particularly in dim illumination). And with its new depth sensor and automatic room mapping, mixed reality experiences can inhabit your space much more realistically than on the Quest Pro.
The Quest 3 has ultimately made me appreciate MR, and I listen to it whenever I can.
The Oculus Quest 2 still has a position as a very affordable entry point to virtual reality, but I would strongly recommend saving up for the Quest 3 if you can. I believe it's already a terrific device, but Meta has announced several software enhancements that will make it even better in the coming months.
META QUEST 3: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Meta unveiled Quest 3 at its Meta Connect event on September 27. The only distinction between the two Meta Quest 3 models is the quantity of on-board storage. The 128GB model is priced at $499.99, £479.99, and AU$799.99, whereas the 512GB variant is priced at $649.99, £619.99, and AU$1,049.99.
Even if you opt for the 128GB Quest 3, you should have more than enough storage space for games and apps, and if you somehow do fill 128GB, it's relatively simple to delete and redownload software, so long as you have a decent internet connection.
The only reason to choose the 512GB headset at this time is if you want to have access to your entire VR library without having to switch titles.
These prices make the new headset more expensive than Meta's Oculus Quest 2, which presently starts at $299.99, £299.99, or AU$509.99 for the 128GB model. However, as you'd expect from a newer device, the Quest 3 does offer substantial upgrades to justify its higher price.
META QUEST 3: PERFORMANCE
- Powerful new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset
- Significantly better graphics than the Quest 2
- Average battery life of two hours and 12 minutes
In comparison to Quest 2, Meta Quest 3's efficacy is night and day superior. Qualcomm's new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset (the Quest 2 was fueled by Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1) has given the Meta Quest 3 a significant increase in its visuals. Honestly, I have no idea how I ever found Quest 2 immersive, but I suppose these things are relative, and the experience did seem impressively immersive up until this point.
Virtual reality text no longer has difficult-to-read blurred borders; in fact, all virtual objects appear more distinct than on Quest 2. Additionally, shadows and reflections behave more realistically. The performance of Meta Quest 3 does not match the grade of graphics on a current-generation console such as the PS5, but it is a significant improvement.
For the purpose of this review, I played Red Matter 2 on both Quest 2 and Quest 3, and the enhanced version on the new hardware was vastly superior in every respect. Not only did the space station I was exploring have sharper-looking details, but the more accurate shadows and illumination substantially enhanced the realism. It seemed like an entirely new game.
The graphics are also aided by the Quest 3's new pancake lens optical system and its high-resolution displays, which suffer from significantly less distortion than the Quest 2's fresnel lens design. The Meta Quest 3 features two new displays with a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye, surpassing the Quest 2's single display's resolution of 1832 x 1900 pixels per eye.
I also observed that the Quest 3 appeared to be less sluggish than the Quest 2, owing to its 8GB of RAM compared to the Quest 2's 6GB. Unfortunately, for this extended review, I did not have access to Assassin's Creed Nexus, a level of which I played during my pre-announcement trial of Meta Quest 3, but I still recall how impressed I was with that experience. The section of Venice I explored was filled with responsive NPCs and interactable objects in a scene that felt livelier than anything I had encountered on Quest 2, but Quest 3 handled it all with ease.
With the capability of Meta Quest 3 at their disposal, I cannot wait to see what VR experiences developers will be able to create.
You will also be able to remain immersed in these experiences for a considerable amount of time. Meta claims the Quest 3's battery can last an average of two hours and twelve minutes, and based on my experience with the headset, this is approximately accurate. Using the included 18W charger, the headset can be charged from 0% to 100% in approximately two hours when it ultimately runs out of power.
META QUEST 3: DESIGN
- More comfortable to wear than its predecessor
- Controllers work well
- No silicone face cover included
Individually, each of Meta Quest 3's design adjustments is a relatively minor improvement. However, the numerous annoyances they eradicate represent a substantial improvement over donning and using the Oculus Quest 2.
The Quest 3 is approximately 40% slimmer than the Quest 2. Even though it weighs slightly more than the Oculus Quest 2, at 1.14 lbs (515g compared to 1.10 lbs (505g, it feels less cumbersome. However, I still prefer the comfort of the Meta Quest Pro, which is heavier at 1.59 lbs (722g, but utilizes its battery as a counterweight to great effect and has a sturdier harness.
Speaking of which, although the Meta Quest 3 utilizes an elastic strap like its antecedent, the design has been slightly modified; the back fastening rings have been incorporated into the over-the-head strap. The end result is a strap that's a little easier to adjust while wearing the headset, and it feels a little more secure than my Quest 2's, though I'm not sure if this more secure fit is because the Quest 3 strap is better or if it's simply because it hasn't worn down after two and a half years of use like my Quest 2's strap.
I also appreciate that the IPD adjustments (which let you determine the distance between the lenses) are now controlled by a small scroll wheel beneath the visor of the headset. Unlike the Quest 2, you don't have to remove your headpiece to make modifications, and you're not limited to three presets; you can browse through a much broader selection of options to customize the Quest 3's optics to your exact specifications.
For those of you who wear eyeglasses, the Meta Quest 3 lacks the plastic spacer insert found in the Quest 2 to accommodate your spectacles. Instead, you can make space for your glasses by activating a button inside the visor and gingerly drawing the cushioning and earpiece apart. This modification, along with the IPD adjustment modification, should make it much simpler to transmit the headset between multiple users without complication.
You'll also notice in some of these images that the Meta Quest 3 is not only available in white; the harness and some of the plastic casing are also available in orange and blue. Unfortunately, these color options are not included, but if you fall in love with your Quest 3 and want to customize it, they could be entertaining add-ons to purchase in the future.
There is, however, one minor downgrade from Quest 2 for those who enjoy using VR for workouts and fitness. In contrast to the Quest 2, the Meta Quest 3 does not have a silicone cover for its face cushioning; instead, it is padded with plush fabric. This fabric padding is more difficult to clean than silicone if it gets extremely humid, so if you plan to use VR applications such as Supernatural and Les Mills Body Combat, you should consider purchasing a different facial interface. Meta sells an official one for $39.99, £39.99, or AU$69.99, but you might discover a decent third-party alternative for less.
Before attempting Meta Quest 3, I feared that the controllers would be problematic. Unlike the Quest Pro's controllers, which also lack tracking rings, they lack internal cameras to supplant them. For tracking, the Quest 3 handhelds rely solely on the headset's cameras, the IR LEDs in the controllers, and artificial intelligence.
I was skeptical that this would be a viable alternative, but after using the Quest 3 controllers, I am pleased to report that they perform admirably. During my testing, I discovered that they were functionally identical to the Quest 2's controllers; in fact, they're superior because I no longer had to worry about a tracking ring colliding with an object.
As anticipated, they are not as precise as the Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers that come bundled with the Quest Pro; tracking issues arise when the Quest 3 devices are out of range of the Quest 3's sensors. You can purchase a pair of Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers and connect them to your Quest 3 headpiece, but I'm not sure the $299.99, £299.99, or AU$479.99 you'd pay is worth it unless you have some very specific use cases that would justify the expense.
As with Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 supports hand tracking, as do many other applications. So it is also possible to experience VR without using any controllers.
META QUEST 3: SOFTWARE AND FEATURES
- Access to entire Quest software catalogue
- Many games and apps getting Quest 3 upgrades
- Mixed reality is good – though not quite perfect
If you own an Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, or Meta Quest Pro, you will be able to transfer your entire software library to the Meta Quest 3 headgear. In addition, Meta has announced that several titles will receive complimentary enhancements that take advantage of the capabilities of the new headgear.
This will include sheer performance and graphical enhancements due to the power of the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and new mixed-reality functions that rely on the Quest 3's full-color passthrough.
The Quest Store is home to many of the finest virtual reality (VR) titles available and provides the Quest 3 and Meta's other headsets with the best VR software for any headset. In addition, as with other Quest headsets, the Quest 3 for PC VR can be used with Air Link or a Link Cable (provided your PC has the necessary specifications to run a VR game).
But VR is so outdated. With Quest 3, Meta aims to attract more users to mixed reality by equipping the headpiece with new hardware. This comprises two RGB cameras capable of capturing your environment in full color. By combining this footage with its new depth sensor and employing a small amount of software wizardry, the headset is able to generate experiences that combine the real and virtual worlds.
Meta headsets have supported full-color mixed reality since the release of the Meta Quest Pro, but the Quest 3 is the first headset in the more affordable Quest line to support the feature. In addition, the Quest 3 performs better than the Pro. The image quality is substantially less pixelated, and the colors appear more vibrant compared to what the Quest Pro's passthrough produced. The Quest 3's video feed is leaps and bounds ahead of the Pro's, which I found helped to promote mixed-reality experiences, despite the fact that the real world still does not appear perfectly realistic and there is significant distortion when you get too close to real-world objects.
The headset's enhanced AI, new depth sensor, and other external cameras can not only autonomously map the room's floor but also detect walls and objects within it. This not only makes it simpler to avoid striking things while flinging your limbs in virtual reality, but it also enables mixed-reality experiences to interact more authentically with their surroundings.
When firing holes in the wall of my living room while playing First Encounter, I observed that the holes took corners into account and formed slightly differently than those made in the wall's center. In Drop Dead: The Cabin's MR mode, virtual objects were set on my sofa and workstation so realistically that I forgot for a moment that they weren't real.
Previously, I have disregarded mixed reality outside of reviewing a new headset, but with the Quest 3, I can see myself activating it whenever games and applications permit.
Infuriatingly, I have not yet had the opportunity to test out Augments, the mixed reality software feature I was most looking forward to when the headset was announced. Augments are virtual artifacts that you can position in your residence that offer a variety of benefits. One may serve as a portal to your beloved game, while another may provide real-time weather updates for your area, and a few may be digital mementos that you display with pride.
Meta states that these Augments will remain in place, so if you decorate your space with Augments during one session and then enter mixed reality in the same space on a different day, everything will be exactly as you left it. I will have to wait until a future software update to try out Augments.
Lastly, and still on the subject of mixed reality, I appreciate that switching between virtual reality and mixed reality is now much simpler. Simply double-tap the right side of the headgear (with some force) to switch between views. It makes it much simpler to see what's going on around you without having to remove the Meta Quest 3 helmet.
HOW WE TEST
For this Meta Quest 3 review, I have not only spent hours per day using the VR headset, but I have also alternated between it, the Oculus Quest 2, and the Meta Quest Pro to determine how much of an improvement the Quest 3 is for virtual reality and mixed reality.
Wherever feasible, I've utilized the exact same software on all three headsets to see the differences for myself. I've also immersed myself in a variety of Quest 3-exclusive tiles to determine what new possibilities the headset offers.