[Experience] Riding a Roller Coaster from the Comfort of Your Room... Trying Meta Quest 3

New Product After 3 Years... Enhanced MR Function and Usability
Dizziness Reduced and Image Quality Improved

Meta (formerly Facebook) released its mixed reality (MR) headset, the Meta Quest 3, on the 10th. As a new product launched after three years, it has enhanced MR capabilities and significantly improved the overall user experience.

The first impression upon opening the box was that the size had been greatly reduced. Unlike the somewhat bulky feeling of the previous model, the volume has been reduced by about 40%. I had used the previous Meta Quest 2 (Oculus Quest 2) before, and at that time, I felt uncomfortable because the weight was concentrated forward. Although the weight increased by 12g to 515g compared to the previous model, tightening the band just right reduced the forward tilt, making it much more comfortable. The controllers have also become simpler than before.

(Left) Scene of running the Epic Roller Coaster game on Quest 3 and (Right) YouTube 360˚ video capture of boarding a light aircraft

When I turned on the device, an MR menu popup appeared in the middle of the room. It reminded me of scenes from the movie "Iron Man," where the protagonist designs his suit using holograms and performs various tasks. The previous model displayed the real world in black and white, but the Quest 3 shows it in high resolution and color, similar to reality. You can perform simple activities like checking your smartphone or drinking a beverage. However, delicate tasks such as reading small text while wearing the device were difficult. The menu window featured an intuitive UX/UI similar to a smartphone, allowing quick operation without reading a separate manual. I tried the MR game "First Encounter," and an alien appeared on the ceiling of the room. It was simple but interesting because it used the actual real-world background.

A major drawback of VR devices on the market is motion sickness and dizziness. When I used the Quest 2 in the past, I felt dizzy and could hardly use it for 20 minutes, but I felt that the Quest 3 had clearly improved. I deliberately tried the dynamic "Epic Rollercoaster" game. I hardly felt any dizziness and was able to enjoy it comfortably. The controller vibrated according to movements during the game, providing tactile feedback. Both CPU and GPU performance increased by more than 200% compared to the previous model, allowing for a smooth gaming experience. It offers 4.2K resolution and rich spatial audio, enhancing immersion.

I also watched YouTube, where I could enjoy content on a huge screen that filled my field of view. The image quality was improved compared to the previous model. It felt like having a movie theater all to myself. The Quest 3 especially showed its true value when watching 360˚ videos. Watching 360˚ videos on regular devices like smartphones allows viewing from various angles but has no special features beyond that. However, with the Quest 3, it feels like you are actually at the location. You can enjoy breathtaking views below your feet while skydiving or tour overseas landmarks while sitting in your room. The only downside is that the image quality of 360˚ videos is lower than that of regular videos.

Meta Quest 3 product photo
Photo by Oh Su-yeon

However, due to its basic weight, wearing it for more than 30 minutes caused discomfort. Although the Quest 3 was designed with work and collaboration purposes in mind, it seems limited for general office workers to use in the workplace.

The discomfort for eyeglass wearers has been reduced. Wearing glasses with a VR device often causes discomfort due to pressure on the glasses or difficulty focusing. I tried wearing it with my regular glasses on, and there was no significant difference in comfort compared to wearing it with lenses.

The charging port is USB-C, making it convenient as it is compatible with other chargers.

The Meta Quest 3 comes in two models: 128GB and 512GB, priced at 690,000 KRW and 890,000 KRW respectively. The launch price of the previous 128GB model was 414,000 KRW, so the price has increased somewhat. However, considering that Apple’s Vision Pro, unveiled last June, costs $3,499 (about 4.67 million KRW), the Quest 3 is a more accessible product for the general public.