In a recent teardown video, the tech wizards at iFixit dove headfirst into the guts of the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, aiming to reveal whether a lower price tag equates to a lower-quality experience. The verdict? The Quest 3 offers impressive performance for its price, but it’s not without its quirks, particularly when it comes to repairability.

One standout feature of the Quest 3 is its enhanced “mixed-reality capabilities” compared to the Quest Pro. This device can autonomously map out rooms and accurately measure distances between objects, all without requiring a designated “safe space.” These capabilities are made possible by a depth sensor and a “time of flight sensor.” Interestingly, iFixit noted that the time of flight components could easily find a home in the Quest Pro.

Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, previously explained that the Quest Pro omitted these sensors due to their added “cost and weight” without substantial benefits. The Quest 3, in contrast, maintains a slim profile at just 512 grams.

Diving deeper into the headset’s components, iFixit offered a microscopic view of the LCD panels. Each eye enjoys a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels and a brisk refresh rate of 120Hz, surpassing the Quest Pro’s peak resolution of 1920 x 1800 pixels. The Quest 3’s video demonstrates its ability to manipulate color clusters, delivering high-quality visuals. When combined with the time of flight sensor, it results in a vastly improved “full-color passthrough experience.”

Under the hood, the Quest 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 XR2 Gen 2 chipset, providing it with ample processing might.

iFixit couldn’t resist scrutinizing the Quest 3’s repairability, and Meta seems to have done a commendable job — mostly. The controllers are a breeze to repair thanks to their simple construction, held together by screws, magnets, and ribbon cables. Swapping out the batteries is also straightforward, with each half taking just a single AA battery.

However, the headset presents a different challenge. While the main unit’s battery is replaceable, it’s buried behind a formidable array of 50 screws, multiple coax cables, connectors, a heatsink, and the mainboard. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, be prepared for a somewhat intricate repair job.

Intriguingly, iFixit makes a compelling case for why the Quest 3 might outshine the Quest Pro. Despite lacking facial and eye tracking, its immersive mixed reality experience might make you forget about those missing features. Plus, the Quest 3’s price point is significantly more wallet-friendly. With the Quest 3 setting the new standard, it leaves us wondering how Meta will top it with the presumed Quest Pro 2.