Google’s Pixel 7A is now available and we’re gathering up the best Pixel 7A deals to make it easy, and even more affordable, to get your hands on one. Unveiled at Google I/O, the 2023 A-series Pixel phone takes a lot of cues from the flagship Pixel 7 — both in terms of looks and features — and crams them into a slightly smaller and more affordable package.
Despite being the entry-level device in Google’s range, the Pixel 7A is still plenty powerful, with the same Google Tensor G2 chip as the step-up Pixel 7, a new 64-megapixel main camera and 90Hz screen for smooth scrolling. It also adds nice-to-haves like wireless charging and face unlock, features eschewed by previous A-series handsets. Google also says it bumped up the Pixel 7A’s brightness compared to last year’s model and you can expect all-day battery life with mixed usage (or longer using the extreme battery saving mode).
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This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.
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The 6.1-inch Pixel 7A is a touch smaller than the 6.3-inch Pixel 7, which will be a boon for small phone fans or those who like to use their devices one-handed. Though technically a step down hardware-wise, the camera performance is comparable to the Pixel 7 for casual photographers, though the flagship Pixel 7 Pro offers some fancier features for the mobile photography enthusiasts.
Whether you’re wanting to be among the first to get your hands on Google’s new budget handset, or if it’s simply time to upgrade from an older device, we’ll help you work out the best place to buy your Pixel 7A. We’re rounding up the best Pixel 7 deals below and we’ll keep this page updated as new offers emerge.
Watch this: Pixel 7A Review: A Step Forward for Google’s Budget Phone
07:15
How much does the Pixel 7A cost?
Like last year’s Pixel 6A, there’s only one configuration of Pixel 7A. It comes with 128GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM and costs $499 in the US.
Notably, that’s a $50 increase compared to last year’s phone. With Google keeping the Pixel 6A around at $349, the previous-gen device still makes for an attractive option for those on a strict budget.
What colors does the Pixel 7A come in?
James Martin/CNET
Google has switched up the hues a little for this year’s A-branded phone, with four colors to choose from: black, white, light blue and a Google Store-exclusive coral. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you choose the right Pixel 7A color.
Amazon is offering its first direct discount on the Pixel 7A right now with a $50 on-page coupon on the charcoal version. Alternatively, you can go for the blue or white model and nab a free $50 Amazon gift card — that’s as good as getting cash back if you shop there regularly.
Best Buy is also dishing out a $50 gift card with Pixel 7A orders for a limited time, plus you can save a further $50 when you activate the device with a carrier at the time of purchase.
New and existing customers can snag the Pixel 7A for just $2 per month at AT&T with no trade-in required. The deal requires eligible unlimited service and you’ll see the discount applied as monthly bill credits over 36 months.
Get your Pixel 7A at Verizon and you can score the device for free with a new line on 5G Start, 5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Get More or One Unlimited for iPhone. You’ll see the credit applied over 36 monthly bills.
T-Mobile is offering $500 off the Pixel 7A via monthly bill credits with either a new line on a qualifying plan or when you trade in an eligible device. You’ll get the $500 back over 24 months.
For a limited time, you can get the Pixel 7A at Mint Mobile and score six months of free data when you bundle the phone with any six-month plan. The Pixel 7A is also going for $399 there, a $100 direct discount. For example, you can get both the phone and 12 months of the 5GB per month plan or less than the cost of the phone itself or save as much as $180 on the unlimited plan.
Visible now has the Pixel 7A available to order, though there’s no deal to speak of there. The device will cost $20.79 per month which, over 24 months, is equal to the $499 retail price. You can currently save on an unlimited data plan at Visible, though.
OpenAI has dropped a ChatGPT app for iOS, the company said Thursday. The new app is free, and it gives you a way to take OpenAI’s AI chatbot on the go.
The rollout of the iOS app begins in the US and will expand to more countries in the coming weeks, OpenAI said. The app works on iPhones and iPads, supports voice input, and syncs your history across devices.
Android users will get their own version “soon,” the company said.
OpenAI kicked off the AI rush with the release of ChatGPT in November. GPT-4, an update to the large language model that powers the ChatGPT chatbot, was released in March. According to OpenAI, GPT-4 has fewer flaws, produces more-nuanced results and handles more-complex tasks than earlier versions. ChatGPT draws on the huge data sets used to train GPT-4 to answer questions and perform tasks, like passing the bar exam. GPT-4 is available to those who pay $20 per month for ChatGPT Plus.
OpenAI began rolling out plugins for ChatGPT last month but has denied it’s working on GPT-5 yet following an open letter signed by Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak and others at the end of March. The letter urged labs to take at least a six-month pause in artificial intelligence development due to the “profound risks” to society.
Chinese giant Alibaba also unveiled a ChatGPT rival, with both Chinese and English capabilities, while Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk has created an artificial intelligence company called X.AI.
Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.
With National Streaming Day taking place tomorrow, May 20, one of the most popular streaming services is celebrating with a steep discount. Hulu is offering three months of streaming access for just $2 per month, a saving of 74% versus he usual monthly price. The discount applies to its ad-supported tier and is available to new and eligible returning subscribers.
Hulu with ads normally costs $8 per month, so getting three months for less than the regular cost of one is a killer deal. If you’re not new to Hulu, you can still get in on this deal if your subscription lapsed over a month ago. You can also choose to add on Disney Plus with ads for $2 extra per month.
We’re big fans of Hulu’s variety. The service offers a huge library of familiar shows from networks like ABC, NBC and FX as well as a growing roster of original content like The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building and How I Met Your Father. The ad-supported plans will have commercials within the content you’re watching, but at just $2 per month it’s hard to be too bothered by that and it gives you the chance to sample Hulu’s extensive catalog without breaking the bank. And you could always move to the ad-free plan after the promotional period ends if you find that you want to stick with the service.
The $2 per month deal expires May 27, so you don’t have long to get in on it. Note that this subscription will auto-renew at $8 per month if you don’t cancel before your three months are up.
Apple Watch users who want to upgrade the basic plastic band the smartwatch comes with have plenty of options. With a plethora of Apple Watch bands, sporting different designs and purposes and available for all budgets, you don’t have to settle. Grab an awesome option that can make one of the best smartwatches out there feel much more luxurious.
The Apple Watch supports a ton of accessories, and finding a band that fits your style is an easy way to turn it into a personal accessory, rather than just a generic piece of tech. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and modern, or something rugged, durable and water-resistant that can handle the elements, there’s a band out there for you.
You can go for the office-acceptable nylon strap or leather loop with a modern buckle. You can try out a ballroom-worthy link bracelet, a sport loop band made from soft silicone or a rugged woven nylon band. Heck, there are even Italian leather and rose gold options out there if you’re feeling fancy. Different watch bands come with different closures as well, so if you’re on the lookout for a stainless steel buckle or a magnetic clasp, chances are they exist.
If you’ve got the latest Apple Watch Series 8 or an Apple Watch SE, check out our roundup of some of the best Apple Watch band options on the market right now.
We periodically update this list of best Apple Watch bands.
A protective case and band combo is a smart option for anyone who wears their Apple Watch while doing any sort of manual labor, high-intensity exercise with weights, outdoor activities like rock climbing or any other activities that could damage your watch.
This protective Apple Watch band comes from Supcase, which has long made quality protective cases for the iPhone. The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro doubles as a case, which snaps onto your Apple Watch to provide shock absorption, and the raised bezel design acts as screen protectors to help you avoid screen damage and scratches.
There are a lot of silicone Apple Watch bands out there, but there aren’t many with this thick, textured design. The tire-tread silicone on this Carterjett band makes it perfect for people who need durability in a band, and the rugged aesthetic is a bonus for outdoorsy or adventurous types. This watch strap comes in a variety of color option choices with sizes from small to extra-large.
Apple manufactures its own suite of leather Apple Watch bands, but the least expensive leather band models start at $99, and the rest (especially those Hermès bands) are priced high enough to sticker shock most people. Though I’m the last to say $80 is inexpensive for a watch band, the Nomad Modern Strap, made from Horween leather, still helps you save compared with Apple Watch leather bands. And, this leather option is still high quality, highly rated and provides a comfortable fit. Linked here is the genuine Apple Watch leather band in rustic brown with matte black hardware, but this leather band comes in other colors too.
If you want an Apple Watch band to go with your formal looks, the Harber London Modern Leather band won’t disappoint. It’s made of full grain leather that is touted to age beautifully, gaining a unique patina over time. The leather band is compatible with all Apple Watches and comes in three colors: tan, black and deep brown.
These handmade elastic Apple Watch bands are spunky and stretchy. They come in fun, bright colors and easily slip on and off your wrist with no need for buckling and unbuckling. If you do a lot of computer work and find that metal clasps bother your wrist, an elastic band might eradicate that issue, as they’re soft and smooth throughout.
For those who want to stick with the classic, simple smartwatch look, nylon is the way to go. This woven style can be extremely durable and long-lasting if you choose the right brand. Salty USA, a Utah-based company that makes Apple accessories, offers budget-friendly woven nylon Apple Watch bands in two sizes (38/40mm and 42/44mm), and they come in more than 20 colors.
Many people, particularly those with smaller wrists, feel that most watch bands fit too wide or thick. If you’re looking to wear a thin wristband, try this Secbolt leather watch band that’s earned an Amazon’s Choice label. This leather strap comes in more than 20 colors and patterns, and the brand offers a one-year full warranty so you can buy with confidence. The genuine leather wrist strap with fine stitching conforms easily to small wrists, and the leather strap can be adjusted to wrist size, thanks to the stainless steel buckle.
If you have large wrists or long or muscular arms, you might find that many watch bands look oddly minuscule on you — or they don’t fit at all. Epic Bands solves this problem with its adjustable stainless steel link bands, which you can customize to fit any size wrist. The band itself is already rather hefty (Epic Bands even clarifies that customers with smaller wrists may not like this band), and it fits wrists up to 8.7 inches (220 mm) as is. If you need the band to fit a larger wrist, you can purchase additional links to make the watch band as long as you need.
Again, Apple’s official Apple Watch model accessory bands are hardly cheap, but some are worth the price tag. The popular Milanese Loop band is a great choice when you want something more professional than silicone, but aren’t into a leather strap. The Milanese Loop features a woven design. This Apple Watch strap comes in stainless steel, in rose gold, silver or black, which results in a flexible fit and comfortable yet sturdy band that you can wear with professional clothes.
You can surely find rubber watch bands on Amazon for less than $49 (the official Apple Watch bands aren’t the most affordable), but I’d urge buyers to be cautious if they have plans to wear a watch band during high-intensity, sweaty workouts. If you like to throw down in the weight room, consider the sports band made in partnership with one of the largest sportswear manufacturers worldwide.
Looking for a sleek steel upgrade from the basic silicone band your Apple Watch came with? Try a stainless steel watchband — combined with an analog clock face, your smartwatch could look as classic as a high-end designer timepiece on your wrist. This Kades stainless band comes in a brushed-metal finish that looks just as great with a casual outfit as it does with a formal one.
You’re receiving price alerts for Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
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Big, vibrant screen
Expandable storage
Affordable price
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Processor and camera performance lags behind cheaper Pixel 6A
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra packs some of the most potent specs and powerful cameras around. But it also comes with a whopping price $1,200 ( 1,249, AU$1,949) tag that’s simply out of the question for many of us. Looking lower down the range doesn’t mean suffering with slow, frustrating hardware. As Samsung’s new $450 ( 499, AU$699) Galaxy A54 5G proves, you can get a phone with solid performance for a very reasonable price.
The Galaxy A54 packs a 6.4-inch display, an octa-core processor that offers enough power for daily essentials (including light gaming) and a camera that does a decent job of handling your out-and-about snaps. I even like the design, particularly the lime green version I reviewed. Its 128GB of storage will be enough for most people, and those who need more space can expand it with microSD cards up to 1TB in size.
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This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.
It’s got a lot going for it considering its reasonable $450 price tag, but it’s often on sale for even less, with prices of $375 seen on Best Buy and Amazon during my writing of this review, although sadly not at the point of publishing. Even with that potential discount, Google’s budget phones outshine Samsung in key areas — particularly the camera.
The 6.4-inch display is bright and vibrant.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Galaxy A54 or Pixel 6A?
Even at the Galaxy A54’s competitive price, the competition is fierce, with Google’s superb $349 Pixel 6A and the latest Pixel 7A priced at $499 — just $50 more than the A54’s usual retail price. We gave the Pixel 6A a CNET Editors’ Choice award for its combination of solid all-round performance and affordable price, with it remaining one of the best budget phones money can buy. The new Pixel 7A also impressed us with its great camera and smooth performance, pushing CNET to recommend it over the Pixel 7 since it’s $100 cheaper.
Up against the A54 5G, the Pixel 6A is still the phone to go for. Its performance is a bit better, its camera takes nicer shots and Google’s plain version of Android is generally nicer to use than Samsung’s One UI skin. If you’re willing to pay $50 more, the Pixel 7A also offers better camera performance and wireless charging, which is missing from the Galaxy A54 5G. Still, the A54 is slightly larger and offers microSD card storage expansion, so it’s not a total victory for the Pixel. Here’s what you should know about the phone.
Galaxy A54: Fun design, vibrant display
The lime green version of my A54 5G is really quite pretty with its glossy glass back and metallic-looking edging (that’s actually plastic). It feels nice enough to hold, although it lacks the more solid feel of the Pixel 6A or 7A. It’s IP67 rated for water resistance (as are the Pixel 6A and 7A) which will keep it safe during phone calls in the rain or around clumsy friends carrying beer.
A fingerprint scanner is built into the display.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
At 6.4 inches, the display is larger than the Pixel 6A’s 6.1-inch screen, which is worth keeping in mind if you spend a lot of time playing mobile games or watching videos and would benefit from a larger screen. The Galaxy A54’s vibrant screen is quite a bit brighter than the Pixel 6A’s and 7A’s, making it more easily readable outdoors under direct sunshine.
Galaxy A54: Processor, software and battery
The Galaxy A54 runs on an Exynos 1380 processor, backed up by 6GB of RAM. It produced fair scores on benchmark tests considering its low price, coming in a bit below the Pixel 6A. Still, there’s enough power to make everyday web browsing, WhatsApp texting and emailing feel swift. I managed to play both Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9: Legends at default settings with fairly smooth gameplay.
Galaxy A54 vs. Pixel 6A vs. Pixel 7A performance comparison
It runs on Android 13 at its core, over which Samsung has slapped its One UI software. While I enjoy the overall look of this skin, I don’t like how much clutter Samsung preloads onto the phone. Apps like Disney Plus, Bolt, TikTok and Booking.com came already installed, along with a plethora of Samsung’s own apps (including its own app store, a Galaxy Shop app, SmartThings, Messages and various TV and media apps). There’s also a bunch of preinstalled Microsoft apps like Linkedin and OneNote. I bought the phone unlocked, directly from Samsung in the UK, so you may find different apps on yours — potentially even more carrier-specific apps if you bought it from a network.
I like the One UI interface, but I don’t like all the preinstalled apps.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
While you can uninstall many of these, the extraneous apps make the phone feel messy as soon as you turn it on. By contrast, the Pixel 6A’s default interface is neat, clutter-free and has only the basic Google essentials like Chrome, Gmail and Drive installed as standard, with no third party services forced on you from day one.
Both Samsung and Google promise security updates five years from launch in order to keep them safer to use for longer. However that does mean that the Pixel 6A, having been launched last year, is guaranteed to receive support until 2027, while the A54 should continue to receive updates until 2028. Samsung also offers an additional generation of Android OS updates compared to Google. It’s not a huge difference, but worth keeping in mind if you want to squeeze every ounce of useful life from your device.
The A54 is powered by a 5,000mAh battery which is larger than the 4,410mAh battery in the Pixel 6A. Perhaps due to the larger screen though, battery life was pretty much the same on both phones during my YouTube streaming drain test and in general use throughout the day. With careful use you should get a full day out of either phone, but either phone will still need a full recharge overnight.
It runs Android 13 at its core, with four years of Android generation updates promised by Samsung.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
The base Galaxy A54 has 128GB of storage, but it’s one of the last remaining phones to support expandable storage via microSD cards up to 1TB in size. That’s a big tick in its favor as it means you can safely opt for the lowest storage model and simply buy a cheap 128GB card to double the storage, providing loads of room for photos, music or apps.
Galaxy A54: Three cameras for vibrant snaps
On the back of the phone are three cameras; a 50 megapixel main camera, 12 megapixel ultrawide and 5 megapixel macro camera. I found shots from the main camera to be generally decent, although the software optimizations often result in quite oversaturated images which look quite unnatural to my eye. Images look crisp however and the 2x preset digital zoom (there’s no optical zoom here) delivered sharp images.
Taken with the main lens, the camera has done a good job of balancing the bright sky and the more shadowy buildings.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Colors are vibrant here, but a bit cold.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Switching to the ultra-wide lens, the shot looks a lot warmer, which I prefer.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
The super wide lens worked well, too, with decent exposures and plenty of detail. I did often find quite a noticeable color shift between the main and wide lenses. The wide lens typically produces slightly warmer colors, which I mostly prefer against the often cool-looking images the main camera captured.
Taken from the A54’s main camera, this outdoor shot is well exposed, but the colours are so over-saturated that they look quite unnatural.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
The Pixel 6A’s shot has colors that are much more true-to-life.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Low light images are decent, with the main lens capturing bright, sharp shots that are roughly on par with what we found from the Pixel 6A.
The 5-megapixel macro lens allows you focus close up on your subject. But as with most macro lenses on phones we’ve seen before from OnePlus and Samsung, it’s pretty disappointing. The focus is sometimes off, and colors look more drab compared to photos taken with the main camera. Personally, I’d prefer it had Samsung not tried to squeeze an extra camera in here and simply lopped a little extra off the asking price.
The macro lens lets you get close up on your subject, but the results generally aren’t great and I do find the lens a bit of a pointless addition.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
There’s a 32-megapixel selfie camera that does a good job of capturing detailed, well-exposed selfies.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
While the A54’s camera setup won’t appeal to photographers among you who want true-to-life images, it’ll do the job well if you just want vibrant shots of your kids on your next beach vacation. But I do prefer shots from both the Pixel 6A and 7A, which produce less over-saturated images with spot-on exposure.
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G?
The A54’s combination of decent performance, fun design, vibrant cameras and low price make it a potentially great budget option. Its bright screen, expandable storage and longer software support are ticks in its favor over Google’s Pixel 6A, but the Pixel 6A wins in almost every other respect. The software is nicer to use, the cameras are better and it’s even cheaper. Between the two, my money would go on the Pixel 6A.
If you’re looking for a top-notch smartwatch, Garmin is among the best brands to buy. Not only do they work with both iOS and Android, but they also offer advanced fitness options and have a more rugged build than a lot of the competition. As with most high-quality products, Garmin watches typically carry a hefty price tag. However, Wellbots is making it more affordable by knocking $200 off all models in the Fenix 7 series, as well as the the Epix 2, and offering free shipping on your purchase.
Garmin’s Fenix 7 series has a number of models available that should serve just about anybody well. These rugged smartwatches are designed with tough workouts in mind. The Fenix 7 and 7S generally starts at $700, offering a 47mm and 42mm case, respectively, with the solar editions going for $100 more. Wellbots also has the larger 7X solar edition available, sporting a 51mm case. It usually lists for $900 before the discount.
Each model has different specs, so be sure to read each product page carefully. Depending on your needs, you may opt for one version over another. The base Fenix 7 should provide up to 18 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up for 57 hours with GPS only, to give you an idea of the performance you can expect.
The Garmin Epix 2 is a great choice for adventurers and athletes, earning a spot on our roundup of the best smartwatch options you can get right now. It has has a 1.3-inch always-on AMOLED touchscreen display, titanium construction for durability and plenty of fitness tracking features, as well as access to mapping resources like GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO. It also gets up to six days of battery life per charge. It regularly lists for $1,000, but with the discount you can snag one for $800.
It’s worth noting that these Garmin smartwatches lack ECG tracking and cellular service, so if you’re looking for those features, you may want to invest in a different model. And if you’re looking for more savings, be sure to check out our roundup of all the best Garmin deals happening now.
Google this month took the wraps off its new affordable A-series phone, the Pixel 7A, and you can nab the first direct discount on one at Amazon right now. The Pixel 7A is already inexpensive at $499, but the on-page coupon at Amazon takes $50 off that price at checkout, nabbing you the unlocked handset for just $449. The deal only applies to the charcoal color, though you can get the blue or white versions with a free $50 Amazon gift card instead which is as good as cash back if you shop at Amazon a lot.
Though the Pixel 7A is designed to be an entry-level device, it’s still plenty powerful. It features the same Google Tensor G2 chip as the flagship Pixel 7, a 64-megapixel camera and 6.1-inch, 90Hz display. It’s also got nice extras like face unlock and wireless charging, aspects previous Pixel A phones scrimped on. Battery life should last up to 24 hours with mixed usage, too. All told, it’s the best phone under $500.
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This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.
If you prefer to go the carrier contract route or want a solid trade-in offer, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Pixel 7A deals available.
Meta’s sequel to the most popular VR headset in the world right now will be a 2023 product, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has already confirmed it will be priced similarly to the Quest 2. That should mean it’ll be a far more affordable headset than what Apple is readying.
The Quest Pro (left) next to the Quest 2 (right). The Quest 3 may be smaller in the front like the Pro, but with the Quest 2’s elastic head straps.
Scott Stein/CNET
Price: Somewhere around $400?
Meta’s work-focused Quest Pro headset that debuted last fall was a misfire, starting at $1,500 and now reduced to $1,000. Meta’s Quest 3 should fall in line with the $400 price of the Quest 2 headset (although that’s an increase from the Quest 2’s original price of $300). Although considering it will likely have better performance and features, it could end up being a little more expensive.
That price would be less than the PlayStation VR 2, which also needs a PlayStation 5 to work. And it would likely be thousands of dollars less than what the Apple headset is expected to cost, which many industry watchers are pinning at $3000.
Watch this: Meta Quest Pro Half a Year Later: Why I Wear It and Why You Should Wait for the Quest 3
06:31
Features: Mixed reality, but maybe not eye tracking
The future of VR is already moving towards mixed reality, blending VR with real-world surroundings using passthrough cameras projecting real-time footage in-headset. The Quest Pro and Vive XR Elite already do it, and Apple’s headset is expected to do the same.
The Quest 3 should have color passthrough cameras, much like the Quest Pro, Vive XR Elite and Pico 4 do. The Quest 2 has only a basic monochrome passthrough camera. The Quest 3 could also have better depth sensing capabilities, either through improved on-headset sensors or computer vision algorithms. Meta’s selection of mixed reality apps is pretty bare right now, but a mainstream Quest 3 that also taps into the possibilities could spark a lot more apps and games.
VR/AR YouTuber Bradley Lynch detailed a bunch of Quest 3 features last year based on leaks from Meta, which details a lot of what to expect: a depth sensor is planned to be onboard.
Eye tracking may be left out. The Quest Pro has eye tracking and face tracking, which can be turned off in settings and isn’t used for all apps. The PlayStation VR 2 uses eye tracking frequently to optimize graphics performance, but it’s also tethered to the PS5, and doesn’t have to deal with battery drain concerns. The Quest 3 might skip the feature to save on cost, or perhaps because Meta isn’t ready to deal with the privacy ramifications yet.
A new processor is expected, though. The aging Snapdragon XR2 chip could get a true follow-up (reports say it’ll be a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2), improving graphics and speed for the new headset, and maybe battery performance as well. Qualcomm already has a multi-year partnership with Meta, unveiling new XR chips that will roll out to other devices in the future. This could be the debut of a new chip, much like the XR2 was for the Quest 2.
Storage sizes and RAM might be upgraded as well, according to Lynch’s report from last year, with a 512GB storage option finally becoming available.
The Pico 4 (left) is significantly smaller in the front than the Quest 2 (right), but the battery gets moved to the larger back strap. The Quest 3 should also be smaller, with the battery staying in the front.
Scott Stein/CNET
Slimmer design
Meta’s improved “pancake optics” lenses for the Quest Pro slimmed down the front of the VR headset versus the Quest 2, with a clearer lens to boot. The Pico 4 headset, another affordable Quest 2-range VR headset, added pancake optics last year. The Quest 3 should get this upgrade too, adding up to a much smaller headset size than the Quest 2.
Smaller could mean more portable. Will new cases and accessories emphasize this? Being able to take a Quest 3 on trips more easily would be a big advantage. HTC’s Vive XR Elite folds down into the size of a pair of (big) glasses, with an optional tube-shaped carry case.
The Quest Pro controller (right) is a big redesign over the Quest 2 controller (left).
Scott Stein/CNET
It could work with Meta’s new Quest Pro controllers
Meta updated its controllers with the Quest Pro, adding cameras for better tracking consistency and shrinking down the size. These controllers are currently an expensive upgrade for Quest 2 owners, they sell for $300 separately, but would Meta include them with the Quest 3? Or could they still be optional upgrades?
Another possibility could be another redesigned set of controllers. Meta doesn’t seem ready to get rid of controllers completely for the Quest, although that seems to be the long-term strategy as hand tracking continues to improve.
Lynch also showed leaked looks at the headset last year that suggested the Quest 3 might charge in the current Quest Pro dock.
Games should be a major focus, once again
Meta’s experiments in work and social apps – aka, the metaverse – haven’t taken off, which means gaming is still the biggest use for the Quest 2 (along with fitness). Meta’s upcoming games showcase on June 1 is emphasizing that the Quest 2 is, first and foremost, a game console.
With an expected fall debut, the Quest 3 will likely be positioned again as a game console with a lot of potential fitness, work and social benefits. It’s Meta’s safest bet, and with its expected console-level price, not an absurd proposition in a year where there aren’t expected to be any other new game console debuts to compete with.
Will Quest 3 spark a wave of mixed reality apps?
The Quest 3’s bigger mixed reality focus, and its lower price than the Quest Pro, should finally trigger a wave of new apps that aim to use mixed reality more often. It’s the Quest 3’s biggest new feature, and with Apple likely to show off mixed reality quite a bit as well, it might mean developers are finally going to think in a more AR-like mindset. It’s Meta’s biggest opportunity to try to advance the Quest experience beyond its VR-minded status.
If you’re looking to buy a headset, you should wait
At this point, the fall isn’t far away. The Quest 3 looks like it’ll be the best Meta VR headset, and could be one of the best options for its price when it arrives. Anyone looking for a headset right now should hold off and see what’s coming, especially with both this and Apple’s headset on the horizon.
Nvidia’s Ada-architecture GPUs for 1080p gamers — and for those whose pocketbooks can’t stretch to accommodate $500-plus graphics cards — are finally appearing to replace last generation’s RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti models, at really attractive prices.
The RTX 4060 Ti starts shipping next week. Nvidia will only be offering an 8GB version of its own Founders Edition cards, which start at $399; $499 and up 16GB models will be coming from its partners. We won’t see the $299-plus RTX 4060 cards until July, and Nvidia won’t be offering those itself.
Specifications
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Memory
8GB or 16GB GDDR6
8GB GDDR6
Memory bandwidth (GBps)
288
272
Memory clock (GHz)
9
8.5
GPU clock (GHz, base/boost)
2.31/2.535
1.83/2.46
Memory data rate/Interface
18Gbps/128 bits
17Gbps/128 bits
RT cores
34
24
CUDA Cores
4,352
3,072
Texture mapping units
136
96
Streaming multiprocessors
34
24
Tensor Cores
136
96
Process
4nm
4nm
TGP/min PSU (watts)
160/550
115/550
Max thermal (degrees)
194F/90C
194F/90C
Bus
PCIe 4.0×8
PCIe 4.0×8
Size
2 slots
2 slots
Launch price
$399 (8GB), $499 (16GB)
$299
Ship date
May 24, 2023
July 2023
The 8GB and 16GB versions of the 4060 Ti are identical in all other ways, though the latter may be a bit bigger to accommodate any extra cooling and it draws a smidge more power. It’s not the first time we’ve seen multiple memory configurations for a given GPU, but it never gets less confusing. Basically, jumping to 16GB can help if you want to load higher-resolution textures (for better quality), smoother video (and sometimes photo) editing and some other similar tasks.The two cards are also intended for upgrades or new builds of low-power — a power supply of 600w or less — or compact systems where you can’t fit or support a triple-slot, 11-inch long card.
The two cards are also intended for upgrades or new builds of low-power — a power supply of 600 watts or less — or compact systems where you can’t fit or support a triple-slot, 11-inch long card.
It’s generally worth bumping up to the Ada generation cards from previous generations for the performance improvement you get from Nvidia’s DLSS 3 optimization technology over DLSS 2, though I can’t state whether that general observation holds as true for these specific GPUs until I get to test them. Based on specs alone, the RTX 4060 Ti promises notably better performance than the lower end card.
It will also be interesting to see how well these perform relative to Intel’s Arc A750 and A770 GPUs, since those more modern cards have generally performed better than last-gen competitors.
Microsoft announced Thursday that the first Xbox game to arrive on Nvidia’s cloud gaming service GeForce Now is the latest installment of the Gears of War franchise, Gears 5. GeForce Now subscribers can play the game now. The tech giant also said the games Deathloop, Grounded and Pentiment will arrive on the cloud gaming service on May 25 with more games to come in the future.
The release of Xbox games on Nvidia GeForce Now is part of a 10-year agreement Microsoft and Nvidia signed in February. Xbox Gaming CEO Phil Spencer tweeted at the time that the agreement will allow GeForce Now players to stream Xbox PC games. Spencer also said Activision Blizzard games, like Call of Duty, would be available on GeForce Now following Microsoft’s acquisition of the studio.
Nvidia GeForce Now lets subscribers play more than 1,500 PC games on multiple devices, including in their cars, with plans that range in price from free to $20 a month. CNET’s review of GeForce Now found that the cloud gaming service can get expensive, if you choose the top subscription tier, but it’s worth its for people with large game libraries who want to be able to play titles across devices. More Xbox games, like the Halo, Doom and Fallout franchises, are expected to arrive on GeForce Now in the future.
