Meta launches their Quest 3S VR headset for £289.99
The Meta Quest 3S is a HUGE upgrade over the Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 is finally on the road to retirement. Now is the era of the Quest 3, and to fill the void left by the Quest 2, Meta has launched more affordable versions of its Quest 3 headset. Essentially, Meta’s Quest 3S is a Quest 2/Quest 3 hybrid. It cuts back on some of the higher-end features of the Quest 3 but features the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 SOC and pass-through capabilities. The headset will start shipping to customers on October 15th.
Screen-wise, the Quest 3S retains the same screen technology as the Quest 2, with Fresnel lens technology and an 1832×1920 per-eye resolution. The 3S will have the same amount of RAM as the Quest 3, use the same controllers, and support the same software. Mixed Reality support is also present. Basically, what we have here is Quest 3 technology with cost-saving measures, namely the Quest 2”s lower resolution screen technology.
Quest 3S Pricing
With an asking price of £289.99 for the 128GB model and £379.99 for the 256GB model, it is easy to see why the 3S exists. The Meta Quest 3 is much more expensive, even with its newly reduced starting price of £409.99 for the 128GB model. Now, the 256GB Quest 3 model is gone, making the only option the 128GB model or the £469.99 512GB model. With a £60 price gap, Quest 3 buyers should get the 512GB model. Quest headsets do not have a MicroSD card slot, making storage expansion impossible.
Meta’s Quest 3 remains the best headset that Meta produces. This is thanks to its improved screen technology. This headset uses newer Pancake lens technology, has a wider field of view, and a higher screen resolution. These are all useful features if you want a full upgrade over the Quest 2. After all, the Quest 3S features the same screen technology as the Quest 2. Note, that the 3S lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that its premium counterpart possesses.
Is the Quest 3S worth it? Given its use of a newer SOC, it is a much better option than the Quest 2. Soon, the Quest 2 will be removed from sale, and some new software will no longer support the headset. With Quest 3 technology at its core, the 3S allows larger, more demanding games to be played on Meta’s mainstream VR headset. The Quest 2 is now a last-generation headset. The 3S has replaced it. Henceforth, the 3S is now Meta’s mainstream VR headset.
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