Meta has finally unveiled the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, and it’s now available for preorder (see it at Amazon). It’s another wireless, standalone headset, and it’s set to release October 10. Pricing is higher than the previous model, but it includes some nice new features to justify the cost, including a faster processor, a more pixel-dense display, a full-color external camera to improve AR experiences, and more.
The 128GB Meta Quest 3 costs $499.99, while the 512GB model goes for $649.99. Let’s have a look at where it’s available to preorder, and dive into what’s new in the Meta Quest 3.
Preorder Meta Quest 3
While the 128GB model is available at all of the retailers listed above, the 512GB model is only available at Meta, at least at the time of this writing. Both models come with a free download of Asgard’s Wrath 2, but the game doesn’t release until December, so you’ll have to wait to play it.
While the 512GB model costs an extra $150, it also comes with a six-month Meta Quest+ trial subscription. Meta Quest+ members get two hand-picked games per month that you can play until you cancel your subscription.
What’s New in Meta Quest 3?
So what, exactly, is new in Meta Quest 3? It has a big power boost over the previous model, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR Gen 2 chip, which is significantly more powerful than the Gen 1 found in Meta Quest 2. The outside of the headset is also equipped with two RGB color cameras that offer full-color passthrough, letting you see your real-world surroundings while you’re still wearing the headset.
That passthrough also enables a whole new world of mixed reality possibilities, with games and apps being able to put digital elements into your real-world environment. The controllers have also gotten a redesign to be more comfortable in hand, while offering haptic feedback while playing games.
You can check out our Meta Quest 3 hands-on preview for more info.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on (long inhale) Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, and the social network formerly known as Twitter.
