When the Meta Quest 3S was first leaked, the concept of getting a $299 Quest 3 headset appeared preposterous. How on the planet might Meta presumably ship a headset that is $200 cheaper with out sacrificing the Quest 3’s energy, colour combined actuality imaginative and prescient, new controllers with superior haptic suggestions, and all of the enhancements to the Quest ecosystem which have occurred over the subsequent 12 months?
Somehow, they’ve achieved it. The Meta Quest 3S is a triumph in practically each manner, from its extremely polished onboarding presentation to the superb combined actuality content material that is been developed over the previous 12 months. It appears like a palpable improve from the Quest 2 and even sports activities some design and UX enhancements over the dearer Quest 3.
Obviously, there must be some concessions to get to a $299 worth level however there are surprisingly few. The greatest is the show stack, because it makes use of the identical lenses and show from the Quest 2 however nonetheless options loads of visible upgrades and tweaks. That features a next-generation processor, improved rendering and processing, and far more. If you are on the lookout for a next-gen VR headset improve from a Quest 2 at an inexpensive worth, you’ve got discovered it.
Meta Quest 3S: Price and availability
The Meta Quest 3S retails for $299 and contains 128GB of storage, whereas the Meta Quest 3S with 256GB of storage retails for $399. Both fashions are available in a white colorway and include a pair of Quest 3 contact controllers, a preinstalled material head strap, and a preinstalled material facial interface.
Every Meta Quest 3S comes with a free copy of Batman Arkham Shadow and three months of the Meta Quest Plus subscription service till April 2025.
Some Meta Quest 2 equipment work on a Quest 3S, so you possibly can preserve a few of these round as an alternative of getting to purchase new ones. Likewise, many of the finest Quest 3 equipment work on a Quest 3S, aside from the facial interface, which has a brand new design.
| Category | Meta Quest 3S |
|---|---|
| CPU | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB ($299); 256GB ($399) |
| Display | 1,832 x 1,920 LCD; 773 PPI; 20 PPD |
| FOV | 96º H; 90º V |
| Lens | Fresnel |
| Mixed actuality | 4MP RGB (18 PPD) |
| Depth sensor | Software |
| Slimness (excluding facial interface) | 73.9mm |
| Weight | 514g |
| Battery | 4,325mAh |
| Controllers | Touch Plus |
Meta Quest 3S: Design, consolation, and battery life
Meta has discovered a factor or two about headset consolation over the previous few years, however that does not imply the Quest 3S is ideal. It’s solely a gram lighter than the Quest 3, which was just a few grams heavier than the Quest 2. All of this, regardless of nonetheless transport with a material strap that I discover usually uncomfortable, though it is fantastic for brief play classes.
The greatest downside with the fabric strap is that it rests on the highest of my ears and irritates my pores and skin slightly shortly. Meta is utilizing the identical Y-shaped high strap design it launched with the Quest 3, which implies it higher allocates weight throughout the pinnacle however nonetheless would not work wherever close to in addition to the BoboVR M3 Pro head strap does, for example.
Beyond that, although, the Quest 3S is simply as comfy because the Quest 3 out of the field and possibly much more so because of the brand new facial interface design. The new, extra padded, and supple face pad that was preinstalled on the headset feels fantastic. Historically, I could not wait to swap out the facial interface with a third-party one, however I’ve been pleasantly stunned by how comfy this one is.
The headset can be 20mm slimmer than the Quest 2, so it has a weight distribution nearer to your face. Quest 3 is a further 10mm slimmer than Quest 3S.
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However there are nonetheless three predominant causes to decide on third-party facial interface alternative as soon as respected firms launch them. First is hygiene. The material is good and tender but in addition absorbs sweat. Grab a $12 pair of silicone covers for now, particularly in case you sweat loads or share the headset with different individuals.
The second cause to switch the inventory facial interface is due to lens fog. I have not had points with it through the assessment interval as a result of it has been cool and dry right here, however as quickly because the humidity ramps up once more in half a 12 months I’ll want one thing extra breathable. For now, Meta makes a wonderful breathable facial interface with semi-transparent sides. I used this one on the Quest 3S hands-on occasion and beloved it.
Third, in case you use glasses, some third-party facial interfaces have built-in glasses spacing changes. The default Meta Quest 3 facial interface features a method to regulate for glasses, however the one on the Quest 3S would not. You’ll want to make use of the glasses spacer within the field to do that which does not supply as many spacing choices because the Quest 3 methodology.
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That mentioned, the brand new interface design makes it far simpler to swap out the facial interface than every other Quest headset to this point. This has been improved with each era, so it is good to see it proceed to occur.
But even in case you do not swap out any of those modular elements straight away, I feel brief play classes might be comfy sufficient. Thankfully, all the perfect Meta Quest 3 equipment work on the Quest 3S, apart from the alternative of the facial interface. You’ll want one particularly made for the Quest 3S.
Keep in thoughts that the Quest 3S doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, so if you wish to use headphones as an alternative of the superb built-in audio system on the Quest 3S arms, I like to recommend choosing up a pair of PrismXR Vega T1 earbuds. Regular Bluetooth earbuds or headphones will not work in VR as a result of Bluetooth’s latency is just too excessive. This can truly make you’re feeling sick due to an odd disconnect between what your mind hears and what it sees.
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In my testing, I’ve discovered that the Quest 3S has the perfect battery lifetime of any trendy Quest headset. On common, I acquired round two and a half hours of use from a single cost, with extra power-hungry video games like Batman Arkham Shadow bringing that all the way down to round 2 hours.
I’d say in case you had been planning to simply use the Quest 3S with the default head strap and facial interface, that is greater than sufficient time earlier than any type of fatigue units in. Grabbing a brand new head strap with built-in battery just like the BoboVR M3 Pro or Kiwi Design H4 will add a number of hours of battery life and considerably higher consolation general, making it a worthwhile $50 improve.
Meta Quest 3S: Display and lenses
If you straight examine the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, this part holds the one actual variations you will discover. The Meta Quest 3S makes use of the identical show and Fresnel lenses because the Meta Quest 2, so in case you’ve solely ever used a Quest 1 or Quest 2, you in all probability will not be significantly upset within the Quest 3S’s show or lenses.
All in all, they’re fantastic and go well with a $299 headset slightly effectively. As with all Fresnel lenses, there is a small “candy spot” proper in the midst of every lens the place you will get the clearest view. Anything outdoors of this circle will get blurrier the nearer you look to the perimeters.
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The Meta Quest 3S makes use of the identical lenses and show because the Quest 2, foregoing most next-generation upgrades from the dearer Quest 3.
The 90-degree FoV on the Quest 3S’s lenses feels a bit constricting in comparison with the considerably wider 110-degree FoV of the Quest 3. This distinction can’t be understated, and all of it melds collectively to point out simply how superior the lenses on the Quest 3 are.
The Meta Quest 3S’s lenses additionally regulate the identical manner because the Quest 2, so in case you’re coming from a Quest 2 you will know precisely what to do. The solely distinction is that there is not any 1/2/3 preset quantity in the midst of the lenses that adjustments as you regulate the spacing. Meta says it reduce this mechanism to maintain the manufacturing price of the headset as little as potential, permitting it to hit that $299 worth level.
That being mentioned, you probably have an interpupillary distance (IPD) over 72mm you are in all probability going to seek out the Meta Quest 3S uncomfortable. If you end up on this boat, a 3D printed IPD expander like this one will push the lenses out a bit and assist.
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If you intend to work in VR or use it for lots of text-based purposes, it makes extra sense to spend the additional cash on a Quest 3.
Like the lenses, the show on the Meta Quest 3S is similar because the one on the Quest 2. It will get a lot vibrant, however the distinction is pretty low, the colours are a bit on the boring facet, and the decision is noticeably decrease than the Quest 3’s panels.
As far as readability is worried, I’d say the decision distinction between Quest 3 and Quest 3S is just like taking part in video games at 1440p vs 1080p. The Quest 3S is not as sharp, and fantastic element will get a bit misplaced, however it’s not offensively decrease decision.
If there’s anybody space the place the decision and lenses make a giant distinction, it is for folk who need to work in VR. If that is going to be a giant a part of your headset utilization, follow the Quest 3.
Meta Quest 3S: Controllers and hand monitoring
The Meta Quest 3S and Quest 3 use equivalent controllers. These new controllers ditch the LED ring and tighten up some ergonomics for a a lot smaller profile than the Quest 2’s controllers. Tracking remains to be achieved with LEDs, although, that are located across the controller face and handles.
Tracking is enhanced by means of higher digicam positioning across the headset—significantly the decrease side-mounted cameras, which may see higher alongside the perimeters and beneath the headset than on the Quest 2—and Meta’s Horizon OS, which fills in any visible monitoring gaps with gyro sensor knowledge from contained in the controller and an AI algorithm that predicts hand place based mostly on arm and shoulder actions.
The Meta Quest 3S makes use of the identical superior controllers because the Quest 3 and are powered by a single AA battery.
Each controller is powered by a single AA battery. Based on my prolonged utilization of the Quest 3 over the previous 12 months, you will solely must swap them out as soon as each two months or so, relying on how usually you play. I like to recommend choosing up these low cost Amazon Basics rechargeable AA batteries for a couple of bucks so you possibly can preserve reusing them.
Each controller has a battery door that may be swapped out for any variety of glorious controller equipment, like these AMVR controller grips, which add grip and assist stability the controllers higher with a useful hand strap.
Quest 3S additionally helps what’s known as Inside-Out Body Tracking, which solely a handful of video games presently help. However, builders might begin to use it extra now that one other Quest headset helps the function. With this, in-game character actions will really feel extra practical because the headset can correctly align the digital character’s torso, shoulders, and arms along with your precise actions in actual life.
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Meta Quest 3S has additionally been outfitted with two IR illuminators on the entrance, positioned on the surface of every triple digicam array on the entrance. This is a brand new function for any Quest headset and permits the Quest 3S to see fully in the dead of night, offered you are in a sufficiently small room.
I examined completely different rooms at night time with the lights off, and whereas monitoring did not work in any respect in my front room, it labored completely in any bed room I attempted it in. Essentially, so long as the Quest 3S can see partitions, will probably be capable of observe spatial motion in the dead of night.
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Likewise, hand monitoring is healthier than ever—significantly in low mild—than with any Quest headset to this point. While I discovered daytime monitoring efficiency and accuracy to be primarily equivalent to the dearer Quest 3, Quest 3S may also observe palms in the dead of night.
That ought to assist considerably in some dimly lit rooms when taking part in hand-tracked video games or throughout informal leisure once you’re simply utilizing your palms to navigate the UI.
Meta Quest 3S: Mixed actuality and video games
While you will discover the controller variations and slimmer profile of the headset when unboxing it, nothing prepares you for the colour combined actuality imaginative and prescient till you’ve got tried it. It’s not as clear as an Apple Vision Pro and even the Meta Quest 3 due to the lenses, however it’s past only a generational improve from the Quest 2. If something, it is like going from a Nineteen Fifties black-and-white TV to a colour HDTV.
The Meta Quest 3S makes use of the identical 4MP twin front-facing cameras because the Quest 3 and tends to look even brighter because of the lenses. Yes, Fresnel lenses aren’t as crisp because the pancake lenses on Quest 3, however they permit extra mild in from the show giving it a distinctly brighter look.
Because the lenses aren’t as sharp and the show’s decision is decrease, it’s kind of tougher to learn textual content on a cellphone whereas carrying the headset, however this is not a standard combined actuality use case, anyway.
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Instead, you will marvel at how enjoyable video games like Starship Home are. Mixed actuality video games can help you flip your front room right into a spaceship, defend towards hordes of zombies in Drop Dead: The Cabin, or play a D&D-like board sport along with different headset-wearing associates in your eating room desk.
When you are not viewing an augmented model of your actual room, you will be diving dungeons deep in Dungeons of Eternity, preventing unhealthy guys in Batman Arkham Shadow, or simply socializing on a Friday night in Gorilla Tag or Orion Drift.
There are hundreds of video games on the Meta Quest platform, and that quantity is rising each single month because of a brand new, extra open market and extra VR gamers than ever. Of course, we preserve an inventory of the perfect Meta Quest video games to offer you place to begin, and there are many nice ones to sit up for, like Skydance’s Behemoth, Alien Rogue Incursion, Metro Awakening, and lots of extra.
All in all, Quest 3 video games look loads higher than Quest 2 video games, particularly once they’re Quest 3 unique.
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The Meta Quest 3S would not embody a depth sensor just like the Quest 3 has, however that does not appear to have an effect on its combined actuality efficiency in my testing. As you possibly can see within the video above, the Quest 3S is a bit of slower at mapping than the Quest 3 however not inordinately so.
It took the Quest 3S roughly 9 seconds longer to map my front room, however a few of that point was as a result of I bumped into an early bug the place hand monitoring in some UI parts felt laggy. Realistically, it in all probability solely took the Quest 3S round seven seconds longer to do the precise mapping, which is spectacular provided that it simply makes use of cameras to do the work.
Meta’s Horizon OS has been notably upgraded in its combined actuality capabilities because the launch of the Quest 3 final 12 months, together with automated room mapping and object identification that makes combined actuality easy.
Additionally, a brand new combined actuality button on the underside of the Quest 3S makes it easy to leap between digital actuality and combined actuality. It’s a substantial improve from all prior Meta Quest headsets which required you to carry out a clumsy and intensely unreliable double-tap on the facet of the headset.
Meta Quest 3S: Competition
Because the VR gaming trade is comparatively small in comparison with conventional consoles, the Meta Quest 3S’s closest competitors is made up of Meta headsets. The Quest 3S replaces the Quest 2 as the brand new normal in inexpensive VR. Its processor is 100% extra highly effective than the Quest 2, enabling it to play far richer and extra detailed video games and render spectacular colour combined actuality in your room.
It’s a straightforward advice to improve from a Quest 2 due to the worth, however the full next-generation improve could be discovered within the Meta Quest 3. Compared to the Quest 3S, the Meta Quest 3 sports activities next-generation lenses with a 20-degree wider area of view (FoV), considerably enhanced readability, a better decision show, and higher distinction and colours than the Quest 3S. Surprisingly, Quest 3 would not embody IR illuminators, so it will probably’t play in the dead of night like Quest 3S.
If you are a PCVR-only participant, it will additionally make extra sense to get a Quest 3 due to the improved readability caused by the lenses and show. Otherwise, in case you desire a headset with an OLED show or a a lot smaller headset, Bigscreen Beyond is your finest guess.
Meta Quest 3S: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase if…
- You need the perfect of digital actuality and combined actuality however do not need to spend $500 on a Quest 3.
- You need to play Quest 3-exclusive video games and apps.
- You’re new to VR and do not need to make investments loads in case you do not prefer it.
You should not purchase if…
- You plan to work in VR. The lenses and show make it troublesome to learn fantastic textual content on this setting.
- You don’t love Fresnel lenses.
The Meta Quest 3S is a triumph in each regard. It’s an unbelievable discount at $299, but it nonetheless reveals the perfect combined actuality and digital actuality gaming obtainable right now. The solely actual compromises are the lenses and show, that are worse than the Quest 3 however not detrimentally so. If I needed to examine the expertise to extra conventional gaming specs, I’d say it is just like the distinction between a 1080p and 4K setup.
Otherwise, the Meta Quest 3S is all the pieces you want in a VR and mixed-reality headset right now. It not solely affords the highest-quality standalone VR video games obtainable—together with the unbelievable free pack-in Batman Arkham Shadow—however it additionally connects to any PC and might play PCVR video games fully wirelessly. It’s a win-win-win for anybody seeking to get into VR or improve from an older headset.
There are definitely causes to decide on a Quest 3 over a Quest 3S, however for most individuals, the worth level and general worth of the Quest 3S make it a must-buy console this Holiday season.
Get next-generation digital actuality and combined actuality video games and apps with the Meta Quest 3S, a surprisingly inexpensive headset with capabilities past your creativeness.
