Meta Quest 3S: Worth and availability (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central) The Meta Quest 3S retails for $299 and contains 128GB of storage, whereas the Meta Quest 3S with 256GB of storage retails for $399. Each fashions are available a white colorway and include a pair of Quest 3 contact controllers, a preinstalled fabric head strap, and a preinstalled fabric facial interface.
Each 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, except for the facial interface, which has a brand new design.
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Meta Quest 3S specs Class Meta Quest 3S CPU Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 RAM 8GB Storage 128GB ($299); 256GB ($399) Show 1,832 x 1,920 LCD; 773 PPI; 20 PPD FOV 96º H; 90º V Lens Fresnel Blended actuality 4MP RGB (18 PPD) Depth sensor Software program Slimness (excluding facial interface) 73.9mm Weight 514g Battery 4,325mAh Controllers Contact Plus
Meta Quest 3S: Design, consolation, and battery life (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central) 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 is 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 fabric strap that I discover usually uncomfortable, though it is nice for brief play periods.
The largest drawback with the fabric strap is that it rests on the highest of my ears and irritates my pores and skin fairly 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 top however nonetheless does not work wherever close to in addition to the BoboVR M3 Professional head strap does, as an illustration.
Past that, although, the Quest 3S is simply as snug because the Quest 3 out of the field and perhaps much more so due to the brand new facial interface design. The brand new, extra padded, and supple face pad that was preinstalled on the headset feels fantastic. Traditionally, I could not wait to swap out the facial interface with a third-party one, however I have been pleasantly stunned by how snug 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 an extra 10mm slimmer than Quest 3S.
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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Nevertheless there are nonetheless three most important causes to decide on an excellent third-party facial interface alternative as soon as respected firms launch them. First is hygiene. The material is good and smooth but in addition absorbs sweat. Seize a $12 pair of silicone covers for now, particularly when you sweat so much or share the headset with different folks.
The second purpose to exchange the inventory facial interface is due to lens fog. I have not had points with it throughout 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 will 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, when you use glasses, some third-party facial interfaces have built-in glasses spacing changes. The default Meta Quest 3 facial interface features a solution to alter for glasses, however the one on the Quest 3S does not. You will 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 technique.
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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
That mentioned, the brand new interface design makes it far simpler to swap out the facial interface than another Quest headset thus far. This has been improved with each technology, so it is good to see it proceed to occur.
However even when you do not swap out any of those modular elements immediately, I believe quick play periods will likely be snug sufficient. Fortunately, all of the finest Meta Quest 3 equipment work on the Quest 3S, apart from the alternative of the facial interface. You will want one particularly made for the Quest 3S.
Remember 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 . Common Bluetooth earbuds or headphones will not work in VR as a result of Bluetooth’s latency is just too excessive. This may really make you are feeling sick due to an odd disconnect between what your mind hears and what it sees.
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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
In my testing, I’ve discovered that the Quest 3S has one of the best battery lifetime of any trendy Quest headset. On common, I bought round two and a half hours of use from a single cost, with extra power-hungry video games like Batman Arkham Shadow bringing that right down to round 2 hours.
I might say when you have been planning to only use the Quest 3S with the default head strap and facial interface, that is greater than sufficient time earlier than any sort of fatigue units in. Grabbing a brand new head strap with built-in battery just like the BoboVR M3 Professional 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: Show and lenses (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central) When you immediately evaluate the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, this part holds the one actual variations you may discover. The Meta Quest 3S makes use of the identical show and Fresnel lenses because the Meta Quest 2, so when you’ve solely ever used a Quest 1 or Quest 2, you in all probability will not be significantly dissatisfied within the Quest 3S’s show or lenses.
All in all, they’re nice and swimsuit a $299 headset fairly effectively. As with all Fresnel lenses, there is a small “candy spot” proper in the course of every lens the place you may get the clearest view. Something exterior of this circle will get blurrier the nearer you look to the sides.
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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
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 alter the identical means because the Quest 2 , so when you’re coming from a Quest 2 you may know precisely what to do. The one distinction is that there isn’t any 1/2/3 preset quantity in the course of the lenses that modifications as you alter the spacing. Meta says it lower this mechanism to maintain the manufacturing value of the headset as little as attainable, permitting it to hit that $299 value level.
That being mentioned, when you’ve got 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.
THROUGH THE LENSES – Quest 2 vs QUEST 3S vs Quest 3 – YouTube
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When you plan 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.
Just like the lenses, the show on the Meta Quest 3S is identical 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 uninteresting facet, and the decision is noticeably decrease than the Quest 3’s panels.
So far as readability is worried, I might say the decision distinction between Quest 3 and Quest 3S is much like enjoying video games at 1440p vs 1080p. The Quest 3S is not as sharp, and nice element will get a bit misplaced, however it’s not offensively decrease decision.
If there’s anyone space the place the decision and lenses make an enormous distinction, it is for folk who need to work in VR. If that is going to be an enormous a part of your headset utilization, stick to the Quest 3.
Meta Quest 3S: Controllers and hand monitoring (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central) The Meta Quest 3S and Quest 3 use an identical 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. Monitoring continues to be carried out with LEDs, although, that are located across the controller face and handles.
Monitoring is enhanced by means of higher digital camera positioning across the headset—significantly the decrease side-mounted cameras, which might see higher alongside the edges 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 primarily based 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.
Every controller is powered by a single AA battery. Primarily based on my prolonged utilization of the Quest 3 over the previous 12 months, you may 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 Fundamentals rechargeable AA batteries for a couple of bucks so you possibly can preserve reusing them.
Every 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 Physique Monitoring, which solely a handful of video games at present help . Nevertheless, builders could begin to use it extra now that one other Quest headset helps the characteristic. With this, in-game character actions will really feel extra reasonable because the headset can correctly align the digital character’s torso, shoulders, and arms together with your precise actions in actual life.
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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Meta Quest 3S has additionally been outfitted with two IR illuminators on the entrance, positioned on the skin of every triple digital camera array on the entrance. This can be a new characteristic for any Quest headset and permits the Quest 3S to see fully at nighttime, supplied 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. Primarily, so long as the Quest 3S can see partitions, it will likely be in a position to observe spatial motion at nighttime.
Meta Quest 3S vs Quest 3 passthrough high quality and low gentle monitoring – YouTube
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Likewise, hand monitoring is healthier than ever—significantly in low gentle—than with any Quest headset thus far. Whereas I discovered daytime monitoring efficiency and accuracy to be primarily an identical to the dearer Quest 3, Quest 3S may observe arms at nighttime.
That ought to assist considerably in some dimly lit rooms when enjoying hand-tracked video games or throughout informal leisure while you’re simply utilizing your arms to navigate the UI.
Meta Quest 3S: Blended actuality and video games (Picture credit score: Camouflaj) When you’ll 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 have tried it. It is not as clear as an Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional 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 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 due to the lenses. Sure, Fresnel lenses aren’t as crisp because the pancake lenses on Quest 3, however they permit extra gentle in from the show giving it a distinctly brighter look.
As a result of the lenses aren’t as sharp and the show’s decision is decrease, it’s kind of more durable to learn textual content on a cellphone whereas sporting the headset, however this is not a typical combined actuality use case, anyway.
Batman: Arkham Shadow | Official Gameplay Trailer – YouTube
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As a substitute, you may marvel at how enjoyable video games like Starship Residence are. Blended actuality video games permit you to flip your front room right into a spaceship, defend towards hordes of zombies in Drop Useless: The Cabin , or play a D&D-like board recreation collectively with different headset-wearing mates in your eating room desk.
While you’re not viewing an augmented model of your actual room, you may be diving dungeons deep in Dungeons of Eternity , combating dangerous guys in Batman Arkham Shadow , or simply socializing on a Friday night in Gorilla Tag or Orion Drift .
There are literally thousands of video games on the Meta Quest platform, and that quantity is rising each single month due to a brand new, extra open market and extra VR gamers than ever. After all, we preserve an inventory of the finest Meta Quest video games to offer you an excellent start line, and there are many nice ones to stay up for, like Skydance’s Behemoth , Alien Rogue Incursion, Metro Awakening, and plenty of extra.
All in all, Quest 3 video games look so much higher than Quest 2 video games, particularly once they’re Quest 3 unique.
Meta Quest 3S vs Quest 3 room setup – YouTube
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The Meta Quest 3S does not embrace 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 somewhat 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 on condition that it simply makes use of cameras to do the work.
The brand new combined actuality toggle button on the underside of the Quest 3S. (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central) 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 computerized room mapping and object identification that makes combined actuality easy.
Moreover, 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 is a substantial improve from all prior Meta Quest headsets which required you to carry out an ungainly and very unreliable double-tap on the facet of the headset.
Meta Quest 3S: Competitors (Picture credit score: Nick Sutrich / Android Central) As a result of 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 commonplace 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 is a simple suggestion to improve from a Quest 2 due to the value, however the full next-generation improve could be discovered within the Meta Quest 3. In comparison with the Quest 3S , the Meta Quest 3 sports activities next-generation lenses with a 20-degree wider area of view (FoV), considerably enhanced readability, the next decision show, and higher distinction and colours than the Quest 3S. Surprisingly, Quest 3 does not embrace IR illuminators, so it could possibly’t play at nighttime like Quest 3S.
When you’re 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. In any other case, when you desire a headset with an OLED show or a a lot smaller headset, Bigscreen Past is your finest guess.
Meta Quest 3S: Must you purchase it? (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central) You should purchase if…
You need one of the best 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 are new to VR and do not need to make investments so much in case you do not prefer it. You should not purchase if…
You intend to work in VR. The lenses and show make it tough to learn nice textual content on this setting. You do not like Fresnel lenses. The Meta Quest 3S is a triumph in each regard. It is an unbelievable discount at $299, but it nonetheless displays one of the best combined actuality and digital actuality gaming obtainable in the present day. The one actual compromises are the lenses and show, that are worse than the Quest 3 however not detrimentally so. If I needed to evaluate the expertise to extra conventional gaming specs, I might say it is much like the distinction between a 1080p and 4K setup.
In any other case, the Meta Quest 3S is all the things you want in a VR and mixed-reality headset in the present day. It not solely affords the highest-quality standalone VR video games obtainable—together with the unimaginable free pack-in Batman Arkham Shadow—however it additionally connects to any PC and might play PCVR video games fully wirelessly. It is a win-win-win for anybody trying to get into VR or improve from an older headset.
There are actually causes to decide on a Quest 3 over a Quest 3S, however for most individuals, the value level and general worth of the Quest 3S make it a must-buy console this Vacation 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.
