Meta Quest 3S Review
Product Information & Ratings
Review Summary
The Meta Quest 3S is Meta's budget-friendly option in the VR space, designed for users who want an immersive VR experience without breaking the bank. Priced at £289.99, it offers many features of the Quest 3 but with certain trade-offs in display quality and lens adjustments. Despite these limitations, it remains a strong contender for those looking to dive into VR on a budget.
Design & Build Quality
The Meta Quest 3S has a slightly bulkier build compared to its more premium counterpart, the Quest 3. It uses Fresnel lenses, which result in some glare and a "screen-door" effect that may break immersion for users accustomed to higher resolutions. The headset comes with only three fixed interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustments (58mm, 63mm, and 68mm), unlike the Quest 3’s finer controls, which can make the experience less crisp for users who fall outside these settings. Despite this, the build quality is solid, and it offers good comfort for long gaming sessions, with adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit.
Visuals & Display
The Quest 3S features a lower-resolution display compared to the Quest 3, with a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, leading to noticeable pixelation and a more prominent screen-door effect. This may detract from the immersion, especially for users familiar with higher-resolution headsets. However, the overall experience is still enjoyable, especially for casual gamers who might not notice the difference as much in fast-paced action.
Performance & Features
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Quest 3S performs admirably when handling most VR games and apps. From *Beat Saber* to mixed-reality experiences like *Starship Home*, the headset runs smoothly with minimal lag. The controllers, identical to those of the Quest 3, are responsive and provide an immersive experience with the removal of tracking rings, allowing for more natural hand movements.
Comfort & Usability
The Meta Quest 3S is relatively comfortable to wear, though some may find the fabric facial interface harder to clean, especially after long gaming sessions. It retains the spacer feature for glasses-wearers, making it an accessible option for a wider range of users. The headset lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which may be inconvenient for those who prefer wired headphones.
Value for Money
At £289.99, the Meta Quest 3S offers great value for users looking to experience VR without spending on the pricier Quest 3. While the lower-resolution display and limited lens adjustments may deter some, the solid performance and affordable price make it an appealing choice for budget-conscious gamers.
Who It’s For
- Budget Gamers: Ideal for those looking for a cost-effective way to experience virtual reality.
- Casual VR Enthusiasts: Perfect for users who want to explore VR without the need for cutting-edge visuals or features.
Overall Rating: 4/5
The Meta Quest 3S delivers a solid VR experience at an affordable price. While it sacrifices some visual fidelity and customization options compared to the Quest 3, it performs well in gameplay and usability, making it a great entry point for new VR users or those looking for a cheaper upgrade from the Quest 2.
Pros
- Affordable entry to VR: At $299 (£289), the Quest 3S provides a budget-friendly option for VR enthusiasts, delivering many of the features found in the pricier Quest 3.
- Reliable performance: With the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 8GB RAM, it runs popular VR titles like Beat Saber and Vendetta Forever smoothly, ensuring a strong gaming experience.
- Good comfort: Despite its bulkier design, the Quest 3S is generally comfortable for extended sessions, with a secure fit and adjustable straps.
- Color passthrough for mixed reality: It supports full-color passthrough, allowing users to interact with mixed reality apps and experiences without losing track of their surroundings
Cons
- Lower display resolution: With a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, users may notice the "screen-door" effect, especially when compared to the sharper visuals of the Quest 3. This can break immersion, particularly during non-interactive VR content like video streaming.
- Limited interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustments: Only three fixed IPD settings (58mm, 63mm, and 68mm) mean that users with IPDs outside these settings may experience a less crisp display.
- No depth sensor: While it performs well in room mapping, the lack of a dedicated depth sensor means it may not be as accurate as the Quest 3 in mixed reality applications
Key Features
- Processor and Memory: Powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and 8GB RAM, delivering solid performance for VR gaming.
- Full-color passthrough: Mixed reality support for a more interactive experience.
- Controllers: Identical to the Quest 3 controllers, without tracking rings, for a more natural feel during gameplay.
- Battery: Sufficient for extended sessions, though not explicitly rated in most reviews.
- Audio: No 3.5mm headphone jack, so users must rely on Bluetooth or the built-in speakers.
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