The Meta Quest 3 presents a more refined and comfortable VR headset experience with enhanced graphics and performance over its predecessor, the Meta Quest 2 and introduces new touch controllers. While the Quest 3 excels in several aspects compared to the Quest 2, the mixed reality feature is still underdeveloped at this stage.
After extensive testing, the Meta Quest 3 emerges as the best VR headset to date. The headset is significantly slimmer due to pancake optics, enhancing comfort and providing a superior display resolution compared to previous Quest models. Although it doesn’t yet rival PC VR graphics, the improvements are notable.
Design and Ergonomics
Priced at $499, the Meta Quest 3 features the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, a resolution of 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye, 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM and a battery life rated at 2.2 hours. The headset dimensions are 7.2 x 6.2 x 3.8 inches and it weighs 1.1 pounds. The Quest 3’s visor is 40% slimmer than the Quest 2’s, leading to a more balanced and comfortable fit. Users who need glasses will appreciate the adjustable facial interface, eliminating the need for a spacer. An IPD wheel allows for easy adjustment of the lens distance, accommodating various preferences.
Display
The slimmer visor is partly due to pancake optics, which layer thin lenses to create images in a smaller space. The Quest 3’s “4K+ Infinite Display” consists of two LCD displays combining for a 4K resolution, with each eye seeing 2,064 x 2,208 pixels. The display boasts 25 pixels per degree (PPD) in virtual reality and a pixel density of 1,218 pixels per inch (PPI), significantly higher than the Quest 2’s resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye. The native refresh rate is 90Hz, with developers able to push it to 120Hz experimentally. These upgrades result in more vibrant colors and impressive graphics for a mobile chipset, even though it still doesn’t match PC VR levels. The video passthrough does show some drop-off in fidelity, with PPD dropping to 18 and some visual judder when observing your arms and hands. Despite this, augmented reality overlays remain visually stunning.
Controllers
The new Touch Plus controllers are a standout feature of the Meta Quest 3. These controllers, adopting a ringless design similar to the Touch Pro, fit perfectly in hand, offering a significant ergonomic improvement over the Quest 2’s Touch controllers. Despite losing the tracking ring, the Touch Plus controllers maintain 6DoF tracking and include TruTouch Haptics for better feedback and immersion, though the feedback could be stronger. Additionally, hand tracking is available, allowing navigation without controllers, though it lacks the precision and feedback of the Touch Plus controllers.
Setup
Setting up the Meta Quest 3 is straightforward. After powering on the headset, it guides users through pairing with the Meta Quest app and connecting to Wi-Fi. Full-color passthrough, powered by two RGB cameras and a depth projector, aids in setting up the play space. Users can choose between Roomscale and Stationary modes, adjusting the play area as needed. The mixed reality setup involves scanning the room and marking walls and furniture for an accurate mixed reality experience.
Performance
The Meta Quest 3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and 8GB of RAM provide a significant performance boost over the Quest 2. The headset runs smoothly across various games and applications, with no noticeable lag even during downloads. While graphics aren’t hyper-realistic, they are a step up from the Quest 2. The NFL Pro Era app, for instance, runs smoothly, though it still feels like an older arcade game in terms of graphics.
Games
The Quest 3 supports over 500 Quest 2 games and apps, with enhancements for select titles that leverage the new headset’s capabilities. Classic games like NFL Pro Era and Superhot VR remain enjoyable and titles like Pistol Whip benefit from the improved graphics. New Quest 3 games such as Assassin’s Creed Nexus showcase the headset’s visual prowess. However, the Xtadium app for viewing sports in VR is underwhelming, feeling like a low-quality video feed rather than an immersive experience.
Audio
The Quest 3’s audio is 40% louder than the Quest 2’s, delivering 3D spatial audio with enhanced clarity and bass. The volume is sufficiently loud, although privacy might be an issue as the sound is audible to others in the room. Users can connect wired earbuds via a 3.5 mm headphone jack, but wireless earbuds are limited due to latency issues. Spatial audio is particularly effective in games, helping players locate enemies or enjoy immersive music experiences in rhythm games.
Battery Life
The Quest 3’s battery life is similar to the Quest 2, with an average use time of 2.2 hours, though this varies with usage and settings. In testing, the battery lasted just under 2 hours with mixed use, including gaming and streaming. Charging the headset takes about 2 hours once the battery is depleted.
Pros
- More comfortable design than Quest 2
- Vibrant LCD display
- Excellent Touch Plus controllers
- Impressive full-color passthrough
Cons
- Short battery life
- Hand tracking isn’t quite useful yet
In summary, the Meta Quest 3 is a significant improvement over the Quest 2, offering a more comfortable design, better display and enhanced performance. While it still has some limitations, particularly in battery life and hand tracking, it sets a new standard for standalone VR headsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main improvements of the Meta Quest 3 over the Meta Quest 2?
The Meta Quest 3 features a slimmer design, better display resolution, more comfortable fit, improved Touch Plus controllers and enhanced performance with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
How does the display of the Meta Quest 3 compare to the Quest 2?
The Meta Quest 3 has a “4K+ Infinite Display” with a resolution of 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye, which is higher than the Quest 2’s resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye. It also has a higher pixel density and more vibrant colors.
What makes the Touch Plus controllers of the Meta Quest 3 different from the Quest 2 controllers?
The Touch Plus controllers of the Meta Quest 3 have a ringless design, TruTouch Haptics for better feedback and they fit more comfortably in hand, offering improved ergonomics and 6DoF tracking.
Can I use the Meta Quest 3 with glasses?
Yes, the Meta Quest 3 has an adjustable facial interface and an IPD wheel, making it easy to wear with glasses without needing a spacer.
What is the battery life of the Meta Quest 3 and how long does it take to charge?
The battery life is rated at 2.2 hours of average use. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge the headset.
How is the mixed reality experience on the Meta Quest 3?
The mixed reality experience is still in its early stages, with full-color passthrough and augmented reality overlays. However, the graphical fidelity in passthrough mode is lower compared to virtual reality.
What types of games and apps are available on the Meta Quest 3?
The Meta Quest 3 supports over 500 Quest 2 games and apps, along with new titles specifically enhanced for the Quest 3’s improved performance. Popular games include NFL Pro Era, Superhot VR, Pistol Whip and Assassin’s Creed Nexus.
How do I set up the Meta Quest 3?
Setup is straightforward. Power on the headset, follow the on-screen instructions to pair with the Meta Quest app and connect to Wi-Fi. The full-color passthrough helps set up your play space in Roomscale or Stationary modes.
Does the Meta Quest 3 support hand tracking?
Yes, the Meta Quest 3 supports hand tracking, allowing users to navigate screens and use certain apps without controllers. However, the feature lacks the precision and feedback of using the Touch Plus controllers.
What are the audio capabilities of the Meta Quest 3?
The Meta Quest 3 offers 3D spatial audio with enhanced clarity and bass, 40% louder than the Quest 2. For privacy, wired earbuds can be connected via a 3.5 mm headphone jack, as most wireless earbuds are not supported due to latency issues.