In a bid to clinch the metaverse hardware crown, Meta recently unveiled the Quest 3, a mixed-reality headset set to hit the shelves this fall. This surprise reveal came just ahead of Apple’s widely anticipated announcement of its own mixed-reality headset at the annual WWDC event.
The Quest 3 is not your average headset. This successor to the popular Quest 2 is a self-contained unit that doesn’t require a PC, console, or smartphone to operate. Slimmer by 40% than its predecessor, the Quest 3 is pumped up with double the graphics power and a higher-resolution display for an immersive experience like no other.
The Quest 3: A Leap into Mixed Reality
What sets the Quest 3 apart is its transition from being primarily a virtual reality (VR) headset to a full-fledged mixed-reality device. This gadget is designed for augmented reality (AR) experiences, overlaying digital elements onto your real-world surroundings via the headset’s screen. This is made possible with the help of outward-facing cameras.
Unlike the Quest 2, which had black-and-white passthrough cameras, the Quest 3 will feature full-color vision, enhancing AR games and experiences. It’s a shift first seen in last year’s pricier Quest Pro headset, and now brought to the masses with the Quest 3.
Price Point: Quest 3 vs. Apple’s Rumored Headset
Despite its impressive features, the Quest 3 comes with a higher price tag. Starting at $499.99 for a model with 128GB of internal storage, it’s a notch up from the Quest 2, which dropped to $299.99 with the new model on the horizon.
However, when compared to Apple’s expected headset, which is pegged at a whopping $3,000, the Quest 3’s price point seems like a steal. The rumored Apple Reality Pro headset, with its powerful M2 processor and combined 8K resolution, is set to release this fall, setting up an interesting competition between the two tech giants.
Mixed-reality headsets are touted as the key to unlocking the budding metaverse. Meta has been vocal about its vision for the metaverse, while Apple’s plans remain under wraps. Meanwhile, Web3 creators arebuilding towards a potentially different vision of the metaverse that’s defined by interoperability—NFT-based assets representing things like avatars and apparel, which are fully owned by users and can be used across various online spaces. It’s still unclear whether tech giants like Meta and Apple will support this aim.
With the Quest 3, Meta has pulled off a brilliant strategic move, getting ahead of Apple’s hype cycle. As we eagerly await the fall releases of these innovative headsets, one thing is clear: the battle for metaverse hardware dominance is heating up, and we’re all invited to witness this epic clash of tech titans.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to keep you in the loop in this thrilling journey to the metaverse!
