Meta Quest 3 vs Meta Quest Pro: Which VR Headset Should You Buy in 2023?

If you are a fan of virtual reality, you might be wondering which VR headset to buy in 2023. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has two options for you: the Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro. But how do they compare and which one is right for you? In this vocal story, we will review the features of these two devices in detail and help you make an informed decision.

Design and Comfort

The Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro have different designs and levels of comfort. The Quest 3 is designed for lower-end consumers who want a standalone VR headset that is affordable, easy to use, and compatible with a wide range of apps and games. The Quest 3 will have a similar design to the Quest 2, but with some improvements such as a softer strap, a better battery life, and a higher resolution display. The Quest 3 will weigh around 500 grams and have a battery pack at the front. The Quest 3 will also have a removable facial interface that can be replaced with different options for hygiene and comfort.

The Meta Quest Pro is the premium option for VR enthusiasts who want the best of the best. The Quest Pro is a standalone VR headset that offers advanced features such as color passthrough, hand-tracking, eye-tracking, and face-tracking. The Quest Pro also has a sleek black design with better weight distribution and padding for extra comfort. The Quest Pro will weigh around 700 grams and have a battery pack at the back. The Quest Pro will also have a custom-fit facial interface that can be adjusted to fit different head sizes and shapes.

Performance and Display

The Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro have different levels of performance and display quality. The Quest 3 will run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chip, which is the same chip that powers the Quest 2. The XR2 chip is capable of delivering high-quality graphics, audio, and AI features for VR. The Quest 3 will also have 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Quest 3 will have a pair of LCD display panels that offer 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye and provide a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The LCD panels are bright and clear, but they have lower contrast and color accuracy than OLED panels.

The Meta Quest Pro will run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Plus chip, which is a new chip that offers a 50% boost in sustained power over the XR2 chip. The XR2 Plus chip is capable of delivering stunning graphics, audio, and AI features for VR and mixed reality. The Quest Pro will also have 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The Quest Pro will have a pair of Mini-LED display panels that offer 1800 x 1920 pixels per eye and provide a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The Mini-LED panels are more advanced than LCD panels as they offer more pixels per inch, more pixels per degree, more contrast, and more color accuracy.

Controllers and Tracking

The Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro have different types of controllers and tracking systems. The Quest 3 will use the same controllers as the Quest 2, which are ergonomic and intuitive to use. The controllers are powered by AA batteries and use infrared LEDs for tracking by the headset's cameras. The controllers have buttons, triggers, joysticks, and capacitive sensors for input. The controllers also support haptic feedback for immersion.

The Meta Quest Pro will use new controllers that are rechargeable and use cameras for more accurate tracking by the headset's cameras. The controllers are similar to the Quest 2's controllers in terms of shape and layout, but they have more sensors and features. The controllers have buttons, triggers, joysticks, capacitive sensors, pressure sensors, finger sensors, and microphones for input. The controllers also support haptic feedback and voice control for immersion.

The Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro will both use inside-out tracking systems that rely on four cameras on the headset to track the position and orientation of the headset and the controllers in space. The tracking systems are accurate and reliable, but they have some limitations such as blind spots or occlusion issues.

Features and Capabilities

The Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro have different features and capabilities that enhance their VR experience. The Quest 3 will support basic features such as wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot, spatial audio via built-in speakers or headphone jack, microphone for voice chat or voice commands, a guardian system for safety boundaries, and compatibility with Meta Link for PC VR streaming or Meta Air Link for wireless PC VR streaming. The Quest 3 will also support some new features such as hand-tracking, which allows you to use your hands as controllers without any hardware, and color passthrough, which allows you to see the real world in color through the headset's cameras.

The Meta Quest Pro will support all the features that the Quest 3 supports, plus some more advanced features such as eye-tracking, which allows the headset to track your eye movements and adjust the focus and rendering accordingly, and face-tracking, which allows the headset to track your facial expressions and translate them to your avatar. The Quest Pro will also support mixed reality features such as Live Maps, which creates a 3D map of your surroundings and lets you interact with virtual objects and people in it, and Horizon Workrooms, which is a virtual collaboration platform that lets you work with others in a shared space.

Conclusion: Which VR headset should you buy in 2023?

So, which VR headset should you buy in 2023? Well, it depends on your budget and your preferences. If you are looking for a VR headset that is affordable, easy to use, and compatible with a wide range of apps and games, then the Meta Quest 3 might be the best choice for you. The Quest 3 will offer a great VR experience for casual users who want to enjoy immersive entertainment and social interactions. The Quest 3 will also be cheaper than the Quest Pro, probably around $500 / £500 / AU$790 for the highest variant.

However, if you are looking for a VR headset that offers the most advanced features and the best performance, then the Meta Quest Pro might be the best choice for you. The Quest Pro will offer a stunning VR experience for hardcore users who want to explore the cutting-edge of mixed reality and avatar expression. The Quest Pro will also have more capabilities than the Quest 3, such as eye-tracking, face-tracking, Live Maps, and Horizon Workrooms. However, these features might not be very useful right now as there are not many apps that support them. The Quest Pro will also be more expensive than the Quest 3, costing four times more than the base Quest 2.

In conclusion, both the Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest Pro are great VR headsets that cater to different segments of the market. The Meta Quest 3 is the VR headset for casual users who want an affordable and easy-to-use device that can run most VR apps and games. The Meta Quest Pro is the VR headset for hardcore users who want a premium and powerful device that can run advanced mixed reality apps and games. Ultimately, the choice is yours depending on your budget and your preferences.

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