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Meta Quest 3 Review – The Clearer Picture

Jan 31, 2024 By Frederica

Meta Quest 3 is the latest iteration of the VR headsets. It is from the parent company of Facebook Meta, which is in many ways better than its predecessor, Meta Quest 2. However, costing $200 more than 2, Quest 3 packs a lot of punch for this price difference.

But is the Meta Quest 3 price difference worth it, or should the users stay on Meta Quest 2? In this Meta Quest 3 review, we find the answer by discussing different aspects of MQ3.

Why is Meta Quest 3 Better?

Technology companies are spending a lot of time in R&D to enhance their products year after year. It isn’t always warranted as they contain minor upgrades. But sometimes, these changes are well worth the effort and money, and that’s what Meta Quest 3 has done. To help you better understand these changes in a nutshell, let's go over the Pros and Cons of this new device. Afterward, we will dive into a bit more detail.

Pros and Cons of Meta Quest 3

Let's start with the Pros first.

  • The ability to see through while wearing the device due to the color passing through tech is a godsend.
  • HQ resolution for media.
  • The processor is more powerful, performs snappily, and makes the design much more comfortable.

Now for some of the Cons.

  • The battery life takes a hit by going HQ and is shorter than MQ2.
  • There isn't any eye-tracking in this device still.
  • The price point might not be affordable for most, especially those already on the MQ2.

Now that we have gone through the basics, let's discuss the meat of this Meta Quest 3 review.

Comfort and Visuals

The comfort department is spot on in this model. The fitting is snug on your face and doesn't easily budge, primarily when used in games that require a lot of movement. The rubber padding doesn't let any light in, giving a more immersive experience.

But the fitting can also give you minor headaches if used for long. This can be more in milder or hotter climates. There can be a lot of sweat, leading to much cleaning. It is understandable as it comes with the territory.

The graphics have been the sharpest in any of the previous VR headsets. However, it would be best to calibrate your eyes, and adjusting might take some time. You should not play the same game on your TV, as the difference between them will be jarring.

The lens adjustment mechanism is now underneath the headset, which allows a lot of ease when you adjust it to clear pictures with your pupils. You may only need to do this once. This adjustment fixture is a good change from its predecessor.

The Controls of the Device

The controls this time are smaller but are nonetheless handy and lighter. The tracking point is also smaller than last time, though there is a problem with some hits and misses with the touchpad.

You can use the controllers for easy navigation through the system using the pointers coming out in the VR. You can also use the physical buttons, which are at an appropriate distance from each other.

The Gaming in Meta Quest 3

It will be a welcome addition to most users moving from previous iterations that almost all games are supported. This means they have considered backward compatibility when designing this model. The porting to this newer version is still the responsibility of the developers, which shows in some games as there is sometimes stuttering, which can create a nauseous feeling when used initially.

The games that use simpler graphics run like a charm and really bring out the best in the device. So we recommend starting with simpler games, and when your body gets used to the feeling, you can move on to more demanding games.

The Processing Power

The MQ3 device now includes the XR2 Gen 2 processor comparable to the Snapdragon 8 mobile processor range from Qualcomm and isn't something to write home about. It is powerful, but it won't win any awards. Though still much better than the Gen 1 processor in MQ2. Qualcomm says it can produce eight times the AI power while 2.5 times better graphics than MQ2, which is a lot but not as impressive as processors we get in laptops.

Battery Life Takes a Hit

The battery has never been excellent in any VR headset, which needs technological advances as it takes a lot of fun out of VR. The battery runs out at most at 4 hours, which is reduced to 2 hours if you game. If you have lots of free time and want to play a game, you need to keep charging every couple of hours to have the full amount of fun.

Is Meta Quest 3 Worth the Price?

As you have read through the articles, tons of upgrades and quality-of-life features make this a must-buy. If you already have an MQ2, it isn't worth upgrading if the difference is high. But if you are new to VR headsets, paying between $450-500 isn't expensive for such a quality device. Furthermore, when you consider the $1,500 price tag for the Pro version, this price tag seems almost enticing.

Verdict

Meta Quest 3 has become the favorite of thousands of people, and might prefer it over many other VR competitors. The main draw is its higher-quality imaging, graphics, and amazing fitting. The see-through lens camera technology is also well-implemented and perfect for those who enjoy mixed reality more.

One thing that sets it apart from many other VR headsets is that it is a standalone device and doesn’t need to be connected to a PC, TV, or console. As long as the Meta Quest 3 price point isn’t an issue, this is one of the best devices you can add to your library.

Highly Favorable