Meta Quest 3
The reigning champ.
The Meta Quest 3 is a high-performance, consumer-focused VR headset offering impressive resolution, powerful processing, and enhanced mixed reality capabilities at an accessible price point.
Meta Quest Pro
The bougier option.
The Meta Quest Pro is a premium, professional-grade VR headset featuring advanced eye and face tracking, superior display technology, and robust multitasking capabilities.
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When we think about VR headsets, the Quest series is one of the first names that comes to mind. We’ve got the OG Quest, Quest 2,Quest 3, Quest Pro - it’s a lot. And if there is one thing that we at TheGamer like to do, it’s pitting innocent, unwitting tech pieces against each other and seeing which one makes it to the end.
In today’s episode of Who Did It Better - we have the people’s champion, aka the Quest 3, and the often overlooked Quest Pro. Let’s run a quick breakdown on both these models and see what makes them tick, shall we?
Visuals
The most important thing that anyone would want to know about right off the bat would have to be visual fidelity. Both headsets have great specs, don’t get us wrong, but one thing about them is that they definitely prioritize different aspects of your viewing experience. TheQuest 3 boasts a higher resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye,compared to thePro’s 1832 x 1920. The increased pixel count obviously gives you sharper images and text, which can be particularly noticeable if you are using the headset for basic tasks like virtual desktop work or reading in VR.
However, raw pixel count isn’t everything. The Quest Pro utilizes a more advanced display technology: a MiniLED LCD with a Quantum Dot layer and local dimming across more than 500 zones. To break it down for you, while the Quest 3 definitely comes with more sharpness, the Pro can actually give you more dynamic and striking views, especially if you’re working with colorful environments or high-contrast scenes.
Not one to back down, the Quest 3 actually pulls up a little ahead in terms of refresh rate, giving you up to 120Hz compared to the Pro’s 90Hz maximum. And by the way, this can result in smoother motion and potentially bring down motion sickness for some users, particularly in fast-paced games or applications.
One more thing to note is that our boy Quest 3 also offers a slightly widerhorizontal FOV at 110 degrees, compared to the Pro’s 106 degrees. Sure, the difference might seem small, but it definitely works out to a greater sense of presence in virtual environments. Vertically, both headsets offer a96-degree FOV, so it’s a pretty even match there.
Performance And Processing Power
Moving on to what is under the hood - you will find that while both headsets are packing serious heat, they are, again, optimized for slightly different use cases. Allow us to explain. The Quest 3 features the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, which definitely gives you a significant bump up over the previous generation. This basically gets you better graphics rendering, smoother framerates, and the potential for more complex VR applications and, of course… games. Throw in the8GB RAM and storage options of 128GB or 512GB,and we come to the inevitable conclusion that it’s well-equipped to handle most consumer VR needs with ease.
The Quest Pro, however, uses theslightlyolderSnapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 chip and comes with a fixed storage space of 256GBbutfeatures 12GB of RAM.We know, for something called Pro, you would expect more storage space. However, you will find that this particular combination is actually beneficial if you are working with VR on a more professional scale, with heavier apps and multitasking on the go. This is mostly because the additional RAM is going to give you an overall smoother performance if you’re running more apps and working with bigger datasets.
Another point to note is that both headsets support Wi-Fi 6E, making sure you get fast and stable connections for wireless PC VR streaming and multiplayer stuff. The Quest 3 also includes Bluetooth 5.2 support, which can be great if you want to hook up anyexternal accessories.
Features And Functionality
You’re looking at two really cool VR headsets that each bring something different to the table when it comes to this part. The Quest 3 is all about better mixed reality thanks to its improved color passthrough cameras. We’re talking way clearer and more accurate blending of real and virtual worlds, which opens up some super exciting possibilities for AR apps and games.The Quest 3 keeps that easy, plug-and-play vibe of the older models too, so it’s great for VR newbies and veterans who want that simplicity.
Now the Quest Pro, that’s the fancy big brother aiming at pros. The eye tracking and face tracking are next level, allowing for ultra realistic avatars in social VR and game-changing virtual meetings or training sims for professional use.That eye tracking also enables foveated rendering to boost performance by rendering the highest quality visuals only where you’re looking, which, we have got to admit, is some pretty mind-blowing stuff.
The Pro has higher end passthrough cameras too, so it’s a solid choice for developers working on mixed reality applications. Its controllers are souped up with better haptics and tracking for super precise interactions in VR. The catch is the Pro costs slightly more, and that makes absolute sense because it’s basically targeting professionals and hardcore VR users who need those cutting edge capabilities.
Another key difference is that both these models support hand tracking, but the Pro’s version is more advanced with greater precision and lower latency. For professionals who need every hand motion to be flawless, that’s a big deal.
Battery
The battery life thing is a huge deal when looking at these two standalone VR headsets. And on that front, the Quest 3 pulls ahead, giving you abouttwo to three hoursper charge. That’s a nice boost over the previous version, and lets you game or explore VR longer without worrying about the battery conking out. Plus, the two-hour recharge time is pretty quick–minimal downtime (at least in terms of VR headsets) before jumping back in.
The Quest Pro though? It unfortunately comes with just aone to two-hour battery life,depending on what you are using it for. And that is a tad bit disappointing, especially if you consider how much more it costs than the Quest 3. But the thing is, you also have to think about whom this is really for. The Pro’s aimed at pros using it for work and stuff, where they’ll probably have it plugged in a lot of the time. And it also makes sense because the tech it uses (like advanced eye tracking) is a massive drain on your battery. That being said, if you are a Pro using it in more stationary settings, the shorter battery on the Pro may not be a huge issue because you can always hook it up to an outlet.
Bottom line, both these models can use fast charge, but for people who want to use their headset as wirelessly as possible, the Quest 3’s longer-lasting battery gives it a clear leg up.
Price
Coming to what gives you the most bang for your buck, the Meta Quest 3 is pretty hard to beat. At $499 for the 128GB version and $649 if you want the 512GB model, it gives you a whole lotta features and performance without costing an arm and a leg. This works out pretty well for the average Joe, who can use it for gaming and casual stuff. The performance bump is so good that even if you’ve already got a Quest 2, the major improvements to processing power, display quality, and mixed reality abilities make the Quest 3 a really tempting upgrade.
Now the Meta Quest Pro, at a cool grand, is clearly aiming at the high end of the market. While it has some fancy abilities like eye and face tracking, its sky-high price tag makes it a tougher sell for the average Joe. But for pros working in design, engineering, or remote collaboration, the Pro’s extra tools and performance chops could make it worth the investment. It’s some seriously powerful tech for people who need the absolute best in VR for work or hardcore development.
It’s also worth thinking about the platform and apps. Both headsets give you access to the Meta Quest store, with its huge range ofgamesand apps. But since it’s newer and more focused on consumers, the Quest 3 will likely get the most optimized content over the next few years. The Pro can run all Quest apps, but it really shines with specialized pro-level software that takes advantage of its unique features.
Bottom Line
All things said and done, at the end of the day, your choice really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your VR headset.If stuff like gaming, your average VR experiences, and keeping costs down are your priorities, the Quest 3 is probably your best bet.It gives you great performance and features without breaking the bank, and that is more than perfect for most folks who are just looking to dip their toes into virtual reality.
Butif you’re a professional who needs advanced processing power for design, engineering, collaboration, or development, the Quest Pro could be worth the extra investment.It pushes the boundaries of what’s currently possible in VR with its souped-up features. Also, both these headsets are exciting advances for VR, consumer and prosumer alike. Meta’s clearly committed to moving immersive tech forward with devices like these aimed at wider audiences than ever before. So yeah, we’d say consider all these factors before you go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these headsets require a Facebook account to use?
Nope, you don’t need a Facebook account for the Quest 3 or Quest Pro because Meta, surprisingly enough, has dropped that requirement. You can just use a separate Meta account when setting up and using either of those VR headsets now. That gives people more options to keep their info private, which is good to see.
How different is the audio between the Quest 3 and the Quest Pro?
When it comes to audio, these headsets are pretty similar. They’ve both got spatial audio built right in, which is cool. The Quest Pro maybe sounds a little better - the audio’s more balanced. But you can useheadphoneswith either if you’re an audiophile who wants the best sound.
How do the controllers differ between the Quest 3 and Quest Pro?
In this case, the Quest Pro controllers are pretty neat. They can actually track themselves, so there is absolutely no need for the headset cameras to follow them around! The haptics and comfort are improved too. As for the Quest 3 controllers, they get the job done, even if they need the headset to keep tabs on them. They’re lighter and don’t use as much battery, so that’s a plus.
