Meta’s next-generation Quest VR headset is expected to arrive later this year, and new details about the device have been revealed.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who went hands-on with a prototype, the Quest 3 will be significantly lighter and thinner than its predecessor, the Quest 2. The head strap is also said to be stronger, and it will use fabric on the sides instead of plastic.

The front of the device will feature a new design incorporating an enhanced sensor suite. Three “vertical pill-shaped sensor areas” will house two color video pass-through cameras, two standard cameras, and a depth sensor. This is a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, which doesn’t come with color pass-through or a depth sensor. The presence of the former means you won’t need to designate the walls in your play space.

The front lower sides of the headset will feature tracking cameras, while the bottom will have a volume rocker and a wheel to adjust interpupillary distance. This means you can tweak the Quest 3’s IPD without taking the headset off, something you can’t do with the Quest 2.

Gurman says the clarity and VR displays within the Quest 3 feel similar to those in the Quest 2, despite the resolution being rumored to be slightly higher. However, he notes that pass-through for mixed reality applications and overall performance is significantly improved over the Quest 2.

Speaking to the former, he says there’s a “night-and-day improvement” thanks to the added dual RGB cameras. “I was even able to use my phone while wearing the headset, something that often feels impossible on a Quest 2,” he adds. As for performance, Quest 3 reportedly features Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon XR2 chipset, leading to shorter app launch times and more consistent frame rates in games.

Notably, Gurman says the Quest 3 doesn’t include face and eye tracking, which means the headset won’t support foveated rendering. That’s a feature you can find on the Quest Pro. It allows the system to prioritize its limited computing resources on areas where you’re looking. Another feature the Quest 3 won’t carry over from the Quest Pro is controller-mounted cameras, though Gurman says Meta is trying to improve peripheral tracking in other ways.

“Meta hasn’t yet settled on pricing for the device, but people involved in its development believe it may come in higher than the Quest 2’s $400,” Gurman notes, adding the company could keep the Quest 2 around “at a lower price.” He adds Meta doesn’t plan to release a new Quest Pro “anytime soon since the first version bombed.” The company reportedly plans to announce the Quest 3 sometime in October, which aligns with what company executives have said in the past when asked when consumers can expect a new Quest headset.

The Quest 3 is expected to be a significant upgrade over the Quest 2, and it could help Meta further solidify its position as the leading player in the VR market. With its improved design, performance, and features, the Quest 3 is sure to be a popular choice for VR enthusiasts and gamers alike.

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