The Meta Quest 3S offers many features of the Quest 3 at a more accessible price, saving you $200. Meta targets newcomers to mixed reality, making it easier to dive into immersive experiences. Whether you’re starting your VR journey or seeking a budget-friendly option, the Quest 3S provides a compelling entry into virtual reality.
Mark Zuckerberg is pushing to make virtual reality accessible with the Quest 3S headset, launching next month at $299. This device aims to deliver the same high-quality VR experience as the pricier Quest 3 but at a $200 discount. “We’ve been working on bringing the Quest 3 family to a lot more people,” Zuckerberg stated at the Meta Connect conference.
While the Quest 3S resembles its predecessor, they reduced production costs by using a fresnel lens with a resolution of 1,832 by 1,920 (773 ppi). In contrast, the Quest 3 features higher-resolution pancake lenses at 2,064 by 2,208 (1,218 ppi). These changes make the Quest 3S a more budget-friendly entry into mixed reality without sacrificing too much quality.
The Quest 3S has a narrower field of view at 96 degrees, compared to the Quest 3’s 110 degrees. The exterior cameras are positioned differently, but both headsets offer full-color passthrough, letting you see your surroundings and blend virtual and real experiences seamlessly.
The passthrough feature is essential for both the Quest 3 and 3S, as it creates a “mixed reality” experience. This means you can overlay virtual icons and windows right onto what you see in the real world. Zuckerberg noted that this could eventually let users run Windows OS remotely through the headset, expanding possibilities.
The Quest 3S provides about 2.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, despite having a smaller battery. Both headsets feature the Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 processor and 8GB of RAM, enabling the 3S to retain the Quest 3’s defining features, including hand-tracking.
Meta targets the Quest 3S at newcomers to mixed reality and those seeking an affordable upgrade. Preorders start today, with the 128GB model priced at $299 (~ ₱16,900) and the 256GB version at $399 (~ ₱21,200). Shipping begins on October 15.
Meta also lowers the price of the 512GB Quest 3 from $649.99 to $499 (~ ₱26,700). However, the 128GB version of the Quest 3, also priced at $499, is currently out of stock.
