Introduction: Entering the World of Meta Quest 3S
What if there was a way you can submerge yourself in entirely new realties which are cheap- to fully engage with digital elements as if they were real. Meta Quest 3S is a VR headset that gives you just that; somewhere in the middle between premium and cheap VR headsets. Regardless of how much experience one has with VR, it is possible to find a lot of value in the Meta Quest 3S which finally brings mixed reality into consumers’ homes, right in the living room.
What is Meta Quest 3S?
Meta Quest 3S is a new headset Meta launched as a more affordable offering in comparison to the Quest 3. At $300, it sits in the middle of the Quest 2 and the new Quest 3. You could consider it as a bare bones version of the Quest 3, thereby offering a access to mixed reality at the fraction of the cost and not much of a drag in performance.
It supports gaming, fitness, and productivity, and offers color passthrough cameras that blend the virtual world with reality. However, how effectively does it function, and should it become your primary headset for VR? So, without further ado let’s take a closer look at what exactly sets the Meta Quest 3S apart.
Credit: Meta
Design and Comfort
The Meta Quest 3S comes with a cube-shaped frame that has characteristic features of the previous models of the Quest, but it’s even lighter and more compact in size than the Quest 2. The white plastic body coupled with a black eyepiece face mask makes it fit the users comfortably while at the same time making it easier to manipulate throughout long-use sessions. On a general note, the size has not significantly increased while the portability benefits from lighter equipment.
Comfort is increased, there is an elastic Velcro headband, which makes it convenient to fasten or loosen the device. It has an added plastic spacer that helps in not putting pressure on the face especially those who wear glasses; the foam fits different people more comfortably.
Credit: Meta
Mixed Reality on a Budget
This system has made significant enhancements in color passthrough cameras which the Meta Quest 3S uses in creating an augmented reality experience where virtual components smoothly overlay with real world backgrounds. Not as clear as in the Quest 3rd gen controllers, but for the price range, visitors can enjoy a full-color passthrough patents so they can remain in the VR world but still noticed when someone is behind them.
Mixed reality works in Eleven Table Tennis game and with apps such as Supernatural; we see experiences get improved and real-life-ish. While there are not very many MR apps still, the opportunities are intriguing and with the Quest 2 no longer in production, there should be even more developers targeting this solution.
Performance Boost: Graphics and Speed
The Meta Quest 3S uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 VR platform, just like the Meta Quest 3, offering slightly improved performance, better image quality, and faster loading times compared to the Meta Quest 2. Thus, the 3S yields a faster and consequent input compared to traditional controllers when playing VR games or streaming content.
The graphics have improved and can offer substantial boost if not for VR demanding games such as Asgard’s Wrath II that is optimized for the 3S. Nevertheless, due to the headset’s display and optics, these upgrades do not have their full potential.
Credit: Meta
Display and Optics: The Same but Still Good
Like its predecessor, the Quest 3S has Fresnel lenses and a resolution of 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye. Quite a feat when the Quest 2 was first released, but that’s a bit lackluster when put up against the sharper pancake lenses of the Quest 3. The Fresnel lenses also create a ring around the light when placed in some lighting conditions.
However, the display quality is sharp for a $300 headset – it is clear and bright enough to display VR content. For gaming, productivity, and all-around usage, the Quest 3S is not going to bother you with slightly less crisp visuals unless you set it up as a reference-grade VR headset on a high-end gaming PC to give you extreme attention to detail.
Meta Horizon OS: The Expanding VR Universe
Meta Horizon OS, earlier known as Oculus, runs the Quest 3S with a powerful VR platform of installing thousands of apps, games, and experiences. It is different from iOS or Android as it is dedicated to VR or virtual reality and therefore is one of the best platforms for users that wish to have virtual reality.
That being said, Meta Horizon OS can be quite limited at times, as compared to other devices such as the Apple Vision Pro, OS does not blend in quite as well. Although it works with PCs and streams Game Pass titles, the standalone scope of titles here hasn’t found a match in VR.
Credit: Meta
Controllers and Mixed Reality Features
This Meta Quest 3S comes with improved controllers, much more enhanced than the Meta quest 2 controllers. These new controllers are also lighter having done away with the huge plastic ring in the middle, so they are easy to carry when traveling. It includes improved tracking and ergonomically designed thumb rest for taking longer typing sessions.
One new feature includes the MR button found on the headset to switch between VR and passthrough. This small and yet significant addition enhances as well as extends the usefulness and versatility of the already venerable Quest 3S.
Credit: Meta
Battery Life and Storage Options
Well, actually, Meta Quest 3S boasts about the battery life of approximately 2.5-3 hours per charge that is similar to Meta Quest 2. The headset sustains a couple of hours of intensive gaming, but users will need to recharge often during extended sessions, which is typical for VR headsets.
The Quest 3S comes with two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. Users who plan to use the tablet for normal tasks will find 128GB sufficient, while those intending to download more games and apps should choose the 256GB option. This means the storage is not modular; therefore, consider the model that has the storage you desire.
Should You Upgrade from Quest 2?
So if you are using Quest 2 whether to buy Quest 3S or not mainly depends upon your usage of VR. Those only engaging in occasional activities should suffice with the performance of the Quest 2 and hence they do not need to upgrade. But if you are looking to increase performance, get more introduction of mixed reality and comfortable design, then you should update the Quest 3S.
In regards to the new customers, the Quest 3S is a perfect product for the beginners. It’s unbeaten in terms of cost to High-end VR experiences without compromising the quality of the product.
Credit: Meta
Meta Quest 3 vs. Quest 3S: Which is Best for You?
The Meta Quest 3 is more developed than the previous one, combining better lenses, higher resolution, and more storage options. If you are going to use VR a lot or want the best in terms of display quality and comfort that the Quest 3 offers, then it is the one you should get. Nevertheless, costing $500, it is considerably more costly than the Quest 3S.
For most users, the performance of the Quest 3S is more than enough for a significantly cheaper price. It makes a perfect fit for any casual gamers, sport trainers, and anyone with an interest in mixed reality at an affordable price.
Conclusion: The Meta Quest 3S Experience
Many consider the Meta Quest 3S the best among all affordable VR headsets today due to its high performance, mixed reality features, and cost efficiency. It may not have all the features of the Quest 3, for whatever reason, it is a perfect unit for new VR users or veterans who want a solid, affordable headset.
Regardless of whether you are a gamer, fitness enthusiast or someone interested in mixed reality, the Meta Quest 3S gives very good value for money. You might have been skeptical to embrace VR because of cost factors; this is the best chance you have to embrace the future of VR.
