Meta Quest 3S Is Fun and Reasonably Priced
With the release of Quest 3S, Meta aims to provide users with accessible virtual and augmented reality experiences. The 3S, a stripped-down version of the Meta Quest 3, is an entry-level standalone VR rig at a price that won’t make you flinch. But is a $200 price cut worth the FOMO that can come with buying second-best hardware? Like everything in life, it depends on your expectations and how picky you are.
While the 3S is a huge improvement over the Quest 2 in every way, things get more complicated compared to the Quest 3. The processing power is the same, so it’s fully compatible with all of that system’s games and software, but the graphics are a downgrade. The different display types on the two models mean the Quest 3S experience doesn’t look as good as the Quest 3. However, the 3S’s graphics are very good—so good that downgrading probably won’t be a deciding factor. for many.
Pros
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Low price
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Powerful processor
Cons
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Graphically weaker than Meta Quest 3.
Characteristics of Quest 3S
Processor: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
RAM: 8 GB
Screen resolution: 1832 by 1920 (by eye)
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Headset weight: 514 g.
Field of view: 96 degrees horizontally, 90 degrees vertically.
Chipset : Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2.
Audio: Stereo speakers compatible with 3D spatial audio, 3.5mm audio jack.
RAM: 8 GB
Memory: 128 GB or 256 GB
Battery life: up to 2.5 hours
Charging time: 2.3 hours via 18W power adapter.
How does the Meta Quest 3S feel on your face?
“Do I really want to strap this thing to my head?” is the first question I ask about any virtual reality hardware. No matter how technically impressive it may be, if I’m uncomfortable wearing the headset, if it causes neck strain, or feels awkward/bulky, I’m unlikely to use it often.
I’m happy to say that the Quest 3S can be attached to your face.
The front-heavy headset is more similar to the last-gen Quest 2 than the Quest 3, but the new headband, fairly even weight distribution of the device, and its light weight (at 514 grams, it actually weighs a gram less than the Quest 3) The result is a headset that’s comfortable enough for long-term escapism. However, it’s a little less comfortable than the Quest 3. The bulk of the 3S is further away from your face, making it a little heavier.
Meta Quest 3S is smooth as butter.
From initial setup to navigation, Meta Quest 3S operates smoothly and intuitively. Anyone new to VR will be able to pick it up and get started with minimal hassle, and even fairly complex tasks such as determining where to use the device in your home can be completed with minimal headaches. Meta’s UI designers deserve credit for creating an environment that is so intuitive that you don’t even notice it.
The same vibe applies to controllers. They sit right in your hand, and “doing things” during the experience, such as pressing buttons, grabbing objects, or pulling triggers, is immediately clear. I coached a technophobic friend through his first virtual reality experience by basically saying, “Don’t think about it. Just do what you would do” is a true testament to the intuitive control scheme.
Damn against Fresnel: under the hood of Meta Quest 3S
Both the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor with 8GB of RAM, so they’re equal in terms of processing. This power means that even larger, more complex games released for the system, such as Batman: Arkham Shadow, run smoothly. Augmented reality experiences like the Home Invasion mode in Drop Dead: The Cabin sound great. Front-facing cameras mean you can snap back into reality by tapping the side of the headset or pressing the controller’s new-to-3S button. Everything seems to work equally well on both the 3S and the 3. But there is one difference: the display.
The Quest 3S’s graphics alone are simply stunning for a standalone VR headset. Whether you’re new to VR or upgrading from Quest 2, you’ll be amazed by the clarity and clarity of the Quest 3S’s visuals. You are unlikely to think: “I wish they were better .” However, if you used the Quest 3, it might be a different story.
The 3S’s Fresnel lenses and display provide a narrower field of view and lower resolution than the Quest 3’s pancake lenses. The 3S’s display resolution is 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, compared to the 3’s 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. One number is definitely larger than the other, but What does this mean in practice? For me, not so much.
For comparison, I took a screenshot of each device in the same position in Assassin’s Creed: Nexus and can barely tell them apart. The one on the left was shot on a 3S. The one on the right, with the number 3:
You might not be able to tell from the screenshots, but if I switch between the 3 and 3S, I can see some differences: on the 3S, the characters on the menu screens look a little jagged, the field of view is smaller, everything looks smaller. clearly, but overall for me it’s one of those things: “Yeah, I think this looks a little better, maybe,” rather than “Oh my God! It looks like garbage ! thing.
I understand that some people won’t be able to handle not having the best experience, but I don’t get hung up on perfect visual clarity. I’m more interested in the overall effect than the small details. This brings me to the big question:
Is Meta Quest 3S fun?
Meta Quest 3S is crazy fun.
I played the same mission in Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR on Quest 3 and Quest 3S and found that I had equally as much fun wandering around historical Italy in each. I then spent 15 minutes practicing in Supernatural using each headset, and burned the same amount of calories hitting targets, although the scenery was a little more blurry on the 3S. In each of them, I watched YouTube videos while lying on my back, watched some spectacular 360-degree videos, and poked around in Meta Horizon Worlds. Each experience was equally interesting and the visual differences didn’t distract me and I wouldn’t have noticed them unless I was looking for them. However, pleasure is subjective. You may only be able to enjoy something if you know it is the best experience possible.
The enjoyment levels may be the same, but if I had a choice, I’d choose Meta Quest 3 every time for its comfort and clarity (and because it’s better ). The wider field of view is slightly less claustrophobic. Better weight distribution makes it a little more comfortable. Everything looks a little clearer.
But if I was going to buy a Quest 3 or 3S, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose the 3S. The visual differences are minor, but the price difference is significant. The base 3S costs $299, which is almost half the price of the $499 Quest 3, and that price makes it a good value and overall better product.
Bottom line: Quest 3 is a killer toy.
In my review of Meta Quest 3, I noted how impressive it was from a technical standpoint, but wondered if it had any use beyond being a flashy toy. I still rarely use a VR headset for anything other than watching movies or playing games, but the 3S’s lower price means I don’t feel like I have to. It’s a toy, but an insanely great – and now reasonably priced – toy.
The Quest 3S offers nearly identical performance to the Quest 3, and its $299 price and pick-and-play atmosphere make it a great product if you want to jump into the world of VR/AR but don’t have the option. I want to make this my way of life.