Meta has officially unveiled the Quest 3S, VR headset. This new headset promises to bring many of the features of the Quest 3 but at a much more affordable price.
The Quest 3S, priced at $299.99, is designed to be a lucrative option for the users who are looking to upgrade from older models like the Quest 2.
Despite its lower price, the new headset model shares many similar features of Quest 3, including the Touch Plus controllers feature, Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, and mixed reality features.
However, the Quest 3S boasts a longer battery life, offering 2.5 hours of average use compared to the Quest 3’s 2.2 hours.
It is also slightly larger and features a different sensor layout, with two triangular formations instead of the Quest 3’s three pill-shaped cutouts.
It also lacks the depth sensor found in the Quest 3 and uses lower-resolution displays, matching the 1832 x 1920 per-eye resolution of the Quest 2.
Additionally, the Quest 3S has a narrower field of view.
In a hands-on demo, the Quest 3S was found comfortable to wear for extended periods and the credit goes to the Y-shaped split strap.
The device also has an “Action Button” to seamlessly switch between the immersive modes. This feature could enhance the user experience by making it easier to interact with the real world using the headset.
Preorders for the Quest 3S are now open, with the headset set to release on October 15th.
Meta also offers a bundle that includes the upcoming game Batman: Arkham Shadow, which will be available on October 22nd.
The Quest 3S comes in two storage options – 128GB for $299.99 and 256GB for $399.99.
Meanwhile, the 512GB Quest 3 is now priced at $499.99, down from its original price of $649.99.
With the introduction of the Quest 3S, Meta is phasing out the Quest 2 and Quest Pro, planning to sell the remaining stock through the end of the year.
This move solidifies Meta’s VR lineup, offering a range of options for different budgets and needs.
While VR headsets remain a niche market, Meta’s latest offerings provide compelling hardware and a variety of VR experiences, making it an exciting time for both new and existing VR users.