Meta has unveiled a more accessible version of its impressive Meta Quest 3 mixed-reality and VR headset, aptly named the Quest 3S. Starting at $299.99 USD for the 128GB model and $399.99 for the 256GB version, the Quest 3S directly challenges its predecessor, the popular Quest 2, by mirroring its price point. Powered by the same Snapdragon processor as the original Quest 3, expect identical performance when diving into games and experiencing various VR apps.
Prior to the announcement, whispers of the Quest 3S removing the mixed-reality and video passthrough features to reduce costs circulated. However, those rumors proved false. The Quest 3S retains the six front-facing cameras of the Quest 3, albeit arranged differently. Reports suggest that Meta opted for less expensive lenses in the Quest 3S, explaining its lower price tag. While the official press release doesn’t disclose all the technical details, it does confirm that the Quest 3S doesn’t boast the cutting-edge 4K pancake lenses found in the standard model. Consequently, the field of view is slightly smaller, and the per-eye resolution drops to 1,832 x 1,920 pixels.
Despite the slight downgrade, the Quest 3S benefits from all the latest updates implemented in Meta Horizon OS, various VR and mixed-reality applications, including the newly introduced Theater View mode for streaming content via services like Netflix and Prime Video. Game enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Quest 3S arrives just in time for the exclusive Meta Quest title, Batman: Arkham Shadow. This visually stunning game is included for free with every Quest 3S purchase.
Alongside the announcement of the budget-friendly Quest 3S, Meta has also slashed the price of the flagship 512GB Meta Quest 3 from $649.99 to a more accessible $499.99.
