Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, has unveiled the highly anticipated Quest 3 mixed reality headset, positioning Meta ahead of potential competition from Apple in the emerging mixed reality market. Priced from $499, the Quest 3 boasts a 40% slimmer design compared to its predecessor and introduces colour-mixed reality, seamlessly blending augmented and virtual reality elements. Zuckerberg shared the exciting news through an Instagram post, mentioning that the device will feature an upgraded Qualcomm chipset with double the graphics performance. The official launch of the Quest 3 is scheduled for autumn, with further details set to be revealed at Meta’s annual AR/VR conference on September 27.
Zuckerberg’s announcement comes just days before Apple’s expected debut in the mixed reality space, intensifying the competition between the two tech giants. Meta’s dominance in the virtual reality market is evident, with its devices accounting for nearly 80% of the 8.8 million virtual reality headsets sold in 2022, according to market research firm IDC. In comparison, ByteDance’s Pico device, which also owns the popular social media platform TikTok, held a distant second place with a 10% market share.
Despite Meta’s success in virtual reality, the company has faced challenges in expanding its vision of an immersive “metaverse” and reaching a broader market beyond gaming enthusiasts. In an effort to stimulate demand, Meta recently reduced the prices of its existing Quest headsets. The high-end Meta Quest Pro, originally priced at $1,500, now retails for approximately $1,000, while the Quest 2’s 256 GB version starts at around $430, down from $500.
As the competition in the mixed reality market intensifies, Meta’s introduction of the Quest 3 demonstrates the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersive technology and solidifying its position as a leader in the AR/VR industry. With enhanced features and an ongoing focus on building a metaverse, Meta aims to captivate users and redefine how we engage with virtual worlds.
