In recent news, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (formerly known as Facebook), has unveiled the upcoming Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset. This announcement comes just ahead of Apple's rumored VR headset reveal. The Meta Quest 3 is slated for release in the fall, starting at an affordable price of $499, while rumors suggest Apple's VR headset may cost around $3,000. [1]

Figure 1. Meta Quest 3.

Figure 1 shows Meta Quest 3. Zuckerberg highlighted the Quest 3's standout features in a video presentation. One notable improvement is the incorporation of several exterior lenses, enabling "full color passthrough" for a "high-res color mixed reality" experience. This means users will be able to view their real-world surroundings while wearing the headset. Unlike previous Quest models that offered passthrough in black and white with grainy textures, the Quest 3 promises enhanced image quality, opening up possibilities for augmented reality experiences that overlay virtual objects onto the real world. [1]

Additionally, the Quest 3 boasts a higher resolution screen and a thinner profile compared to its predecessor, the Quest 2, which should enhance comfort during extended use. The headset also features a "next-gen" chip from Qualcomm, offering twice the graphical performance of the previous generation's Snapdragon GPU found in the Quest 2. [1]

While Zuckerberg didn't mention Apple directly, it's likely that Meta is aiming to steal the spotlight from the tech giant, which is expected to unveil its own VR headset at the upcoming WWDC conference. According to reports, Apple's VR headset will incorporate cutting-edge augmented reality technology but come with a significantly higher price tag of around $3,000, making it less accessible to mainstream consumers. In contrast, Meta's Quest 3 aims to provide an affordable option for a wider audience, building upon the success of the Quest 2, which initially launched at $299. [1]

Meta plans to share more details about the Quest 3 during the Meta Connect conference scheduled for September 27. Meanwhile, the company has announced that it will be lowering the price of the Quest 2 back to its original launch price of $299 starting on June 4. Additionally, an upcoming software update will bring performance improvements to both the Quest 2 and the high-end Quest Pro, offering increased CPU and GPU speeds. [1]

Overall, the unveiling of the Meta Quest 3 ahead of Apple's rumored VR reveal signifies a growing competition in the virtual reality market, with Meta aiming to capture the attention of consumers with its affordable pricing and advanced features. [1]

References:

1. https://www.pcmag.com/news/zuckerberg-unveils-meta-quest-3-ahead-of-apples-rumored-vr-reveal

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), Zuckerberg's Meta Quest 3 Emerges as VR Battle with Apple Heats Up!, AnaTechmaz, pp.277