According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Meta’s upcoming Quest 3 VR headset is expected to bring several enhancements and design changes compared to its predecessor. Gurman, who had the opportunity to test a prototype called Eureka, shared his insights on the device. The Quest 3 prototype appears to be noticeably lighter and thinner than the previous model, with a stronger head strap featuring fabric sides instead of plastic.
One significant update can be found on the front of the device, where a new design incorporates an improved sensor suite. The front of the headset now includes three vertical pill-shaped sensor areas housing two color video pass-through cameras, two standard cameras, and a depth sensor. This represents a notable upgrade from the Quest 2, as it introduces color pass-through and a depth sensor, eliminating the need to manually designate the play space boundaries.
Furthermore, the lower sides of the front feature tracking cameras, while the bottom of the headset includes a volume rocker and an interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment wheel. The Quest 3 allows users to adjust the IPD without having to remove the headset, a feature not available on the Quest 2.
In terms of visual quality, Gurman states that the clarity and VR displays on the Quest 3 are similar to those of the Quest 2, even though rumors suggest a slightly higher resolution. However, the Quest 3 reportedly showcases significant improvements in mixed reality pass-through and overall performance compared to its predecessor. Gurman mentions a “night-and-day improvement” in mixed reality applications due to the addition of dual RGB cameras. He even managed to use his phone while wearing the headset, something that was often challenging with the Quest 2. The Quest 3 is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon XR2 chipset, resulting in shorter app launch times and more consistent frame rates in games.
However, it’s worth noting that the Quest 3 does not include certain features found on the Quest Pro. Face and eye tracking, which enable foveated rendering to prioritize computing resources on areas where the user is looking, are absent in the Quest 3. Similarly, controller-mounted cameras are not included, although Meta is reportedly exploring alternative methods to improve peripheral tracking.
Regarding pricing, Meta has not finalized the cost for the Quest 3. However, those involved in its development speculate that it may be higher than the Quest 2’s $400 price point. The Quest 2 may still remain available at a lower price. Meta does not have plans to release a new Quest Pro in the near future, as the initial version did not perform as expected. The company intends to announce the Quest 3 in October, aligning with statements from Meta executives regarding the release timeline.
