According to the latest meta Quest 3 news, the latest Meta Quest 3 update, v71 was released on November 4, 2024. It introduces improvements including a refreshed visual interface with improved Dark and White themes optimized for reading.
Meta officially launched the Quest 3 VR headset on September 28, 2023. Pre-orders were opened the same day. The product hit the shelves on October 10, 2023, with a starting price of $499.99 for the 128GB model and $649.99 for the 512GB version.
The Meta Quest series was originally the Oculus Quest. The first iteration of the Oculus Quest started shipping on May 21, 2019 as part of Oculus, one of Facebook’s subsidiaries renamed to Meta Platforms.
That first standalone headset was designed to work without a linked PC or console, it features six degrees of freedom (6DoF) tracking through internal sensors and cameras.
This innovative design enabled users to experience VR in a more accessible manner, setting the stage for future developments in the series.
In October 2020, Meta released the Oculus Quest 2. The Quest 2 was designed not only for gaming but also for a wide audience, including educators and fitness enthusiasts.
It was marketed as a versatile device capable of delivering various virtual experiences effectively making VR more mainstream. Following its launch, the Quest 2 quickly became one of the best-selling VR headsets globally.
In March 2022, as part of a larger rebranding initiative following Facebook’s transformation into Meta, the Oculus brand was phased out.
The Oculus Quest 2 was officially rebranded as the Meta Quest 2. This marked Meta’s intent to expand its virtual and augmented reality offerings under a unified brand identity.
Rebranding also involved changes in software and services related to the devices, including the transition from the Oculus Store to the Quest Store.
The Meta Quest 3 was out at the end of 2023. This model showed some technological advancements over those previous models, including further enhanced processing capabilities and, of course, mixed-reality features through color passthrough technology.
The series has now established itself globally as the largest platform with more than 20 million units sold by the beginning of 2023 for VR and AR equipment.
Comparison of Quest 3 with Quest 1 and Quest 2
Display
The Meta Quest 3 has a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. This is an improvement on the 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye in the Quest 2 and 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye in the original Quest.
This means a more detailed and sharper visual experience, and the screen door effect is lessened, which was more apparent in the previous models.
Another feature is that Quest 3 uses pancake lenses, offering a wider field of view and greater clarity than Fresnel lenses used in Quest 1 and Quest 2.
Processing Power
Another major improvement in the Quest 3 is its processing capability. It uses the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, which has 2.5 times the graphical power and 8 times the AI processing power of the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 found in the Quest 2.
Design and Comfort
When it comes to design, though it does weigh a tad more than the Quest 2 (18.2 ounces vs. 17.7 ounces), the Quest 3 feels less heavy due to its more balanced design and slimmer profile.
The redesigned headband of Quest 3 helps distribute the weight more evenly across the head. Compared to that, users always complained about discomfort with both the bulker design of Quest 1 and even Quest 2.
Mixed Reality Capabilities
Unlike the black-and-white cameras of the Quest 2, which offered limited functionality for augmented reality applications, the color cameras of the Quest 3 allow users to have a more immersive mixed reality experience by interacting with their environment while still engaged in virtual activities.
This feature is useful for applications that require spatial awareness and interaction with real-world objects.
Battery Life
Battery life remains a common limitation across all three models. Both the Quest 2 and Quest 3 offer similar battery performance lasting around three hours under typical usage conditions.
Meta Quest 3 Latest v71 Update
On November 4, 2024, Meta Quest rolled out a redesigned Settings interface. The Search function has been improved to facilitate quicker access to desired options.
The Calendar, now integrated with Google and Outlook, will help users to have better control over their calendars. A new entry in Quick Settings provides more easy access to Remote Desktop features across the Meta Horizon OS.
The Meta Quest v71 update was rolled out on November 4, 2024. This brings a bunch of features and enhancements on improving the user experience on the Meta Quest line – including the Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest 2 and Quest Pro.
The update brings in a fresh look to the Horizon OS with optimized light and dark themes that enhance readability and contrast. The entire user interface has been reworked, including the control panels and settings menu.
Easier navigation and more improved search functions will mean finding apps and system settings much quicker.
An addition is the ability to update the room layout without necessitating a new scan whenever they change their physical environment. This feature is a great addition for users, especially those who constantly redesign their environments, as this makes it easier to preserve an accurate VR model of their surroundings.
The Travel Mode has been added to support train travel in addition to air travel. This mode optimizes system performance according to varying internet quality. This improvement is especially useful for remote workers or frequent travelers who rely on VR for meetings or training sessions.
The update introduces a volume mixer that allows users to adjust the volume of calls, apps, and media independently.
Improvements to the passthrough feature are aligned with camera frame rates and display rates to present a smooth experience while making transitions between virtual and the real world.
A calendar application has been added as part of the Meta Quest system that allows users to manage appointments directly from headsets.
The app is integrating with Google and Outlook to allow users to access the events in Horizon Worlds, as well as meetings from Horizon Workrooms.
The latest updates also introduce a Public Test Channel for Quest 3, allowing users to access unreleased software versions before public rollout. This initiative plans to engage users in testing new features and providing feedback.
A new Suggested Boundary feature helps users quickly establish play areas based on available space.
Meta is also improving its Safe Browsing abilities on the Meta Quest Browser with a safe website database in order to better protect the user from various online dangers.
Feedbacks from Tech Websites and Reviewers
Reviewers uniformly praise improved graphics and performance of Meta Quest 3. According to TechRadar, this headset has greatly better graphics than Quest 2.
The PCMag claimed that the higher resolution and increased processor speed enhance visual quality and responsiveness.
Reviews also have been positive concerning the design of the Meta Quest 3. More compact and comfortable, this slimmer-profiled model comes in comparison to Quest 2.
It weighs slightly more, at 515g, but feels less clumsy with its new design. According to CNET, while it’s not the best for people who wear glasses, overall comfort has been improved compared to earlier versions.
Touch Plus controllers have also received rave reviews due to their small size and superior haptic feedback.
One of the features of Meta Quest 3 is mixed reality functionality. The inclusion of full-color passthrough cameras enables users to interact with their real environment in a more integrated way.
TechRadar sayd that the MR capabilities are better than those of previous models. Similarly, PCMag addresses that these features make it possible to engage in high-quality augmented reality experiences without needing external sensors or setups.
The software ecosystem surrounding the Meta Quest 3 is another strong point. Reviewers praise the library of games available on the Quest Store, unmatched at this price point.
ZDNet says that while some of its limitations such as battery life that doesn’t last more than two hours, the access to a rich catalog of games makes the headset appealing to consumers.
IGN also reports that the fact that Meta focuses on standalone gaming with no reliance on external devices further boosts its attractiveness for casual gamers.
Meta Quest 3 is indeed priced higher than its predecessor starting at $499, yet it’s still a great value considering what it offers. Reviewers from TechRadar and PCMag note that while this device is pricier than some of its competitors like the Quest 2.
Some of the reviewers wish there was more storage option than the available ones, which are 128GB and 512GB.
Meta Quest 3 Comparisons With Competitors
The Meta Quest 3 has an all-in-one design, which means users play without being tethered to a console or PC, so they can enjoy full wireless freedom, which boosts the user experience, set up, and use straight away.
The PlayStation VR2 needs to be connected with a PlayStation console, restricting mobility and creating trip hazards with cables.
The Quest 3 is also lighter, weighing in at 515 grams against the PSVR2 at 560 grams, making it a more comfortable product for extended use.
The Quest 3 has 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye, and the PSVR2’s resolution is slightly lower, at 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye.
Both headsets support up to 120Hz refresh rates, but the PSVR2 has OLED technology, which gives more vibrant color and contrast.
The Quest 3 makes up for this with its superior processing power from its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, which allows for much more advanced graphics and smoother performance in demanding games.
This gives the Meta Quest 3 an advantage in game library reviews because it comes with such a huge library with which it boasts of having full backward compatibility from all other Quest titles.
Its wide range of genres also avails many of its customers to some popular games including Superhot VR and Beat Saber.
It also connects to a PC for more access to Steam VR titles. However, the PSVR2 has no backward compatibility, meaning that it is exclusively accessible to its library alone. Some of its exclusive titles include Gran Turismo 7 and Horizon Call of the Mountain.
Another feature in which the PSVR2 shines is audio immersion. The device has a set of integrated headphones featuring Tempest 3D audio technology for real positional sound.
The Quest 3 utilizes the built-in speakers that do offer good spatial audio, but it cannot be as immersive as what Sony’s headset can deliver.
List of Exclusive or New Games for Quest 3
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded
- Pencil!
- Townsmen VR
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Laser Dance
- Starship Home
- Alo Moves XR
- Mecha Party
- Living Room
List of VR Fitness Apps Optimized for Quest 3
- FitXR
- Holofit by Holodia
- WIN Reality Baseball
- VRIT
- XRWorkout
- VZfit with Ring Racer
- StretchLab
- Supernatural
- Xponential+
- Les Mills Bodycombat XR
Meta Quest 3 Sales, Price and Market Share
The Meta Quest 3 has been quite a phenomenon since its launch, and the sales figures are reported to have crossed over 1 million units in just a few months.
This figure is based on users who completed the first experience, First Encounters, which is a Quest 3 exclusive.
The Quest 2, which has sold nearly 20 million units since its launch three years ago, the Quest 3’s sales trajectory appears slower.
The Quest 2 was launched at a lower price point of $299, while the Quest 3 debuted at $499, which has likely influenced its market performance.
Meta has revealed that Quest 3 sales are ahead of projections. Reality Labs, in Q2 2024, reported revenues of $353 million, driven mainly by sales of both Quest headsets.
But the division still operates at a huge loss with expenses reaching approximately $4.8 billion during the same period.
There are signs that Meta intends to launch a cheaper variant, the Quest 3S, which would accelerate market expansion. The cheaper headset is likely to cost around $300 but offer most of the features in the Quest 3.
Revenue Streams from Quest 3
Reality Labs reported revenues of more than $1 billion for the first time ever in Q4 2023, and this can be mainly attributed to sales of Quest 3.
In Q1 2024, Quest 3 generated approximately $176 million in revenue with estimated unit sales around 320,583 units at an average price of $549.
Meta earns revenue through the sale of software associated with the Quest ecosystem. For Q1 2024, software sales comprised about 18% of the total revenue from Reality Labs.
First-party accessories, such as head straps and other peripherals, generate more revenue; however, this is much less than headset and software sales.
Ray-Ban smart glasses also generate revenue as they include Meta’s technology.
In Q4 2023, Reality Labs had a total revenue of around $1.07 billion.
Reality Labs is incurring losses and had around $4.65 billion in operating losses for Q4 2023 due to a lot of R&D going into future projects.
Other Latest Meta Quest 3 News 2024
Meta on September 25, 2024, lowered the price of Meta Quest 3 by $150. During their Meta Connect event, they announced they would be discontinuing the 128GB version and set a new price for the 512GB version at $500.
On December 2, 2024, A Cyber Monday deal comes with the Meta Quest 3 and a free game, Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+.
On December 5, 2024, the popular fitness app Quell is coming to Meta Quest featuring its workout game Shardfall that combines gaming with fitness activities.
On December 1, 2024, A roundup video highlighted new VR games launching in December for various headsets including Meta Quest titles.
On October 14, 2024, the Meta Quest 3S was reviewed as having similar capabilities to the Quest 3 but using a different lens system that affects visual quality.
On December 1, 2024, the exclusive game Batman: Arkham Shadow was released alongside promotional offers for new headset buyers.
On December 1, 2024, Retailers started offering discounts and bundles on Meta Quest products in preparation for holiday shopping.
On December 6, 2024, Meta announced a collaboration with James Cameron’s technology venture to improve mixed reality content for the Meta Quest platform.
On November 26, 2024, a list of new games that will launch on the Meta Quest platform in December was released including Trombone Champ Unflattened and Shattered.
On December 5, 2024, it was announced that several new VR games would be coming soon such as Mythic Realms and Exercise Your Demons.
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