The Meta Quest 3 – An Honest Review

Our Review

A New Meta?

The virtual landscape has evolved rapidly, and at its forefront stands the Meta Quest 3, available from Amazon here. Paving the way for the next generation of standalone VR experiences. Unboxing this technological marvel is akin to holding the future in your hands, an opportunity to instantly elevate any environment into a boundless arena of adventure and exploration.

One of the headline feats of the Meta Quest 3 is its ability to bring the magnificent world of Asgard’s Wrath 2 to life. Players aren’t just participants in this narrative; they’re at the very center of it, feeling every moment as if they were truly part of this epic saga. However, the journey doesn’t stop there. The mixed reality capabilities ensure a seamless blend of the virtual and the real, transforming even the mundane spaces of your home into something out of a sci-fi tale.

VR Trajectory

The trajectory of virtual reality has been both thrilling and unpredictable. Although the grandiose dreams of a complete digital cosmos are still on the horizon, the Meta Quest 3 recalibrates Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the metaverse. Moving away from the dystopian landscapes reminiscent of “Ready Player One”, it harkens back to the core of VR: engaging gameplay, captivating arm motions, and immersive sports viewing. And frankly, it hits the mark just right.

We Know The Quest 3 Is Mixed Reality, but What is Mixed Reality?

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) are all immersive technologies, but they differ in how they interact with the real and virtual worlds. Here’s a breakdown of their differences:

What Is Virtual Reality? (VR)

Definition: VR immerses users in a fully virtual environment that is generated by a computer. When using VR, the real world is completely shut out.

Experience: Users wear a VR headset which tracks their head movements and often use hand controllers that track their movements in this environment.

Usage: VR is popular in gaming, simulations, education, and training programs where a completely controlled environment is beneficial.

What Is Augmented Reality? (AR)

Definition: AR overlays virtual objects onto the real world through a device, usually a smartphone, tablet, or AR glasses.

Experience: Users can see the real world around them, but with the addition of computer-generated images or information superimposed. Think of the mobile game “Pokémon Go” or apps that place virtual furniture in your real living room.

Usage: AR has found applications in gaming, shopping, navigation, and more, providing users with enhanced or enriched real-world experiences.

What Is Mixed Reality? (MR)

Definition: MR, sometimes considered an advanced form of AR, blends the real and virtual worlds, allowing virtual objects to interact with the real world in real-time.

Experience: Users might wear MR headsets, like the Microsoft HoloLens, where holographic images can be anchored to real-world locations and even respond to changes in the environment or user input.

Usage: MR has potential in various fields, including medicine, design, and manufacturing, as it allows for a more seamless interaction between real and virtual elements.

In essence, while VR immerses you completely in a virtual world, AR overlays virtual elements onto the real world, and MR merges and allows interaction between both real and virtual environments.

Back to The Meta…

The Meta Quest 2 once reigned supreme as the uncontested leader in VR headsets. But with the passage of time, the device, introduced in 2020, began to show its age. Its once-revolutionary Gen 1 Snapdragon XR2 now feels somewhat antiquated, especially when contrasted with the newer, more advanced devices. For context, during our assessment of this gadget, it was still branded as the Oculus Quest 2 – that’s how far we’ve come.

In stark contrast, the Meta Quest 3 is a monumental leap forward. Amplified by its 4K+ pancake lenses, the visuals are nothing short of breath-taking. Check out the latest review over at the Verge for more on this.

Specs

The Quest 3 boasts a resolution of 2064 x 2208 per eye using pancake lenses, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a field of view of 110 degrees. Qualcomm’s 2nd gen Snapdragon XR2 chipset powers it, doubling the graphical prowess of its predecessor.

The passthrough cameras are a marked improvement over earlier versions, even outshining the Meta Quest Pro. This enhancement ensures clearer imagery, making tasks like reading text on mobile devices or monitors considerably easier. A quick double-tap on the side of the headset grants a comprehensive view of one’s environment.

For eyeglass wearers, the internal depth adjustment buttons are a godsend. They enable the visor to expand, ensuring glasses neither press against the user’s face nor scratch against the device’s lenses.

User Experience

The Quest 3’s pancake lenses streamline its design, despite it being about ten grams heavier than its predecessor. Enhanced weight distribution ensures ergonomic comfort, making long VR sessions strain-free. Its convenience was especially evident during virtual exercises – an hour-long gaming session felt surprisingly unburdening.

While the device offers multiple utilities like movie viewing and sports spectating, the core attraction remains its gaming capabilities. With access to newer releases like the “Dungeons of Eternity” and the revamped “Red Matter 2”, it’s evident that such high-fidelity games would be challenging to run on the Quest 2. The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, while not comparable to the RTX 40-series GPU, is sufficient for an extensive array of VR games. Games appear visually stunning, with the high resolution ensuring clarity and sharpness.

Backward compatibility with Quest 2 titles, like “Vader: Immortal”, showcases the device’s adaptability. Even older titles benefit from the Quest 3’s advanced hardware.

For those with a vast collection on Steam, the return of the Quest Link for the Quest 3 is a boon. While there were initial hiccups interfacing with gaming PCs, these were ironed out, ensuring a smooth wireless VR experience with most games. For those with unstable Wi-Fi, the old USB-C link cables still work, with Meta also providing a newer version for purchase.

However, occasionally tweaking the resolution for certain games is a minor inconvenience when using SteamVR. The revamped Quest 3 controllers have ditched the LED tracking ring, but this doesn’t compromise the tracking precision. Each controller operates on a single AA battery, though a charging dock, inclusive of rechargeable batteries, is available for purchase.

Powering this immersive journey is the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor. When pitted against its predecessor, the Quest 2, it’s evident that Meta has made leaps and bounds in advancing the VR experience. No lag, no stutters, just a pure, uninterrupted dive into virtual realms.

While the hardware’s capabilities are undeniably impressive, the real sensory treat lies in its visual and auditory offerings. The 4K+ Infinite Display isn’t just a fancy term; it’s a promise of visual fidelity that captures every minute detail, bathing the user’s eyes in rich, vibrant hues. This visual prowess is complemented beautifully by the enhanced 3D audio, ensuring that every note, every sound byte, every whisper surrounds and envelops the user. With the Quest 3, it’s not about playing a game or watching a scene—it’s about living it, feeling every beat, and being at the heart of the action.

Yet, every rose has its thorns. The Meta Quest 3, with all its advanced features and capabilities, does command a premium price. This might make newcomers to the VR scene a bit hesitant. Sure, it’s a marvel of current-gen tech, but the investment can be daunting for someone just starting their virtual journey. However, for those already versed in the magic of VR, the Quest 3, with all its offerings, makes every penny spent feel completely justified.

— Ben

To Buy or Not to Buy?

Invest If:

You’re new to VR: The Quest 3 offers a stellar introduction to wireless VR at an affordable rate, loaded with engaging apps and devoid of cumbersome base stations.

You prioritize comfort and affordability: Designed with diverse head shapes in mind, it guarantees comfort, even for eyeglass wearers.

Reconsider If:

You’re after unparalleled power: Intended for casual VR enthusiasts, the Quest 3 isn’t the go-to for those seeking ultra-high-definition gaming experiences.

Sakura’s View:

Here at Crosshair Reviews – We are trying something new, having our seasoned reviewers cross commenting – let us know if you like this approach (or if you hate it!)

As a female gamer who has witnessed the ebb and flow of VR technology over the years, the Meta Quest 3 is a refreshing testament to the strides the industry has made towards accessibility and inclusivity.

Its ergonomic design, notably built with diverse head shapes and hairstyles in mind, addresses a pain point many of us often grapple with—finding gear that comfortably fits without compromising on style or functionality. And while its vast game library is a thrill, what truly won me over was the attention to non-gaming experiences, a nod to the multifaceted interests of women gamers.

Watching movies or virtually attending a courtside basketball game offers a communal VR experience, breaking the stereotype that gaming is solely an isolating endeavor. The Quest 3, to me, feels less like a piece of tech and more like a gateway to endless realms, catering not just to my gamer side but also the cinephile, the sports enthusiast, and the social butterfly within.

–Sakura