Meta has officially launched its long-awaited Quest 3S virtual reality (VR) headset, and the rumours were correct—it’s an affordable US$299.99 (£242.56) device that seems like a combination of the Quest 2 and the pricier Quest 3. But now that we have the full specifications, it’s clear that the Quest 3S packs quite a punch, especially considering its price. It’s closer to Quest 3 than expected for something almost half the cost. If you haven’t yet ventured into VR, the Quest 3S is an excellent entry point.
Powerful performance for the price
At first glance, the Quest 3S may look like a scaled-down version of its more expensive sibling, the Quest 3. However, regarding features and performance, the Quest 3S offers more than you’d imagine for a budget-friendly option. It shares the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip as the Quest 3, which supports the same games, apps, and experiences. Whether you’re keen on exploring immersive worlds or playing VR games, the 3S will allow you to do just that without compromising speed or functionality.
The 3S also uses the same Touch Plus controllers found in the Quest 3, maintaining high responsiveness and accuracy for gaming or interacting with virtual environments. Meta has even improved the battery life on the Quest 3S compared to the Quest 3, claiming an average of 2.5 hours of use, slightly surpassing the Quest 3’s 2.2 hours.
What sets the 3S apart?
While the Quest 3S has excellent features, a few noticeable differences exist between this model and the pricier Quest 3. For starters, the Quest 3S is physically larger and features two triangular sensor arrangements on the front instead of the Quest 3’s three pill-shaped cutouts. Another key difference is the lack of a depth sensor, which could affect the accuracy of some immersive experiences, though this may not be a deal-breaker for most casual users.
The resolution is also slightly lower, as the Quest 3S sticks to the same 1832 x 1920 per-eye resolution found in the older Quest 2, and its field of view is narrower. Despite this, many users may not notice the difference unless they’re used to the Quest 3’s enhanced visuals. In my experience with a demo yesterday, while playing games like Batman: Arkham Shadow and exploring virtual spaces like Horizon Worlds, the Quest 3S held up quite well. Despite these minor downgrades, the headset remained comfortable for my demo, thanks to its well-designed Y-shaped split strap.
One feature that sets the Quest 3S apart from its predecessors is the new “Action Button,” which lets you switch between passthrough (viewing the real world) and immersive modes with a simple press. This offers more convenience than the “Double Tap” feature used in the Quest 3 and Quest Pro, making it easier to switch between modes when needed.
Preorders and pricing
Meta opened preorders for the Quest 3S before its release on October 15. Early buyers will also receive a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow, which launches on October 22. The headset has several storage options, including 128GB for US$299.99 (£242.56) and 256GB for US$399.99 (£323.42). Meta has also reduced the price of the 512GB Quest 3 to US$499.99 (£404.31), down from its original price of US$649.99 (£525.61). If you’re looking for an affordable VR headset with excellent performance, the 128GB Quest 3S is a compelling choice.
With the Quest 3S in the lineup, Meta plans to discontinue sales of the older Quest 2 and Quest Pro models by the end of the year or until the remaining stock sells out. According to Meta’s blog post, these changes mark the end of an era for Quest 2, which was widely praised for bringing VR to mainstream audiences.
As Meta continues to refine its VR offerings, the Quest 3 and Quest 3S combination ensures that users have access to powerful, user-friendly hardware at various price points. With more games and immersive experiences being developed for VR, now might be the perfect time to dive in without breaking the bank.
