Meta Quest 3S Review: Affordable VR That Delivers

Meta's new Quest 3S VR headset positions itself as a budget-friendly entry into the VR space, offering a strong balance of performance and affordability. At $300, it's being compared to a "basic Honda Accord" in the VR world—a solid and reliable option that might not have all the premium features of its more expensive sibling, the $500 Quest 3, but still delivers an immersive experience. This makes the Quest 3S an upgrade over the aging Quest 2, which struggled with supply chain issues and outdated hardware.

The Quest 3S inherits several key features from the Quest 3, including improved hand and controller tracking, powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, and 8GB of RAM, offering double the graphics performance of the Quest 2. This allows developers to optimize games and apps for a single hardware spec, reducing development headaches and ideally leading to more robust content on the Meta Quest store. The overall hope is that more apps will drive higher headset sales, creating a virtuous cycle for Meta and the VR market.

Design-wise, the Quest 3S looks similar to the Quest 3, with a plastic case, good cushioning, and an adjustable strap, but some cost-saving choices are apparent. For example, it uses the same Fresnel lenses as the Quest 2, which are prone to artifacts like fuzziness and halo effects, while the Quest 3 uses higher-end pancake lenses that deliver a crisper image. Despite these differences, the Quest 3S still provides a sharp and responsive VR experience, with a 1,830 by 1,920 pixels per eye display, making it more than capable of delivering engaging content.

One of the trade-offs is the lack of a headphone jack, with users needing a USB-C adapter or wireless headphones for improved audio. Additionally, the lens spacing on the Quest 3S is adjusted manually by positioning the lenses into three fixed settings, compared to the more user-friendly adjustable dial on the Quest 3. While this could be cumbersome for users sharing the headset, it's a one-time setup for individuals.

The Quest 3S does have a unique advantage over the Quest 3—a dedicated action button for quickly switching between VR and mixed reality (MR) modes. This feature enhances usability by allowing users to view their surroundings or immerse themselves in a virtual world with just a press of a button, a thoughtful addition for VR newcomers.

Controller-wise, the Quest 3S utilizes the same excellent Touch Controllers as the Quest 3, with a comfortable, glove-like fit and responsive feedback. The controllers are stripped of the tracking ring seen in earlier models, making them lighter and more efficient.

In terms of performance, the Quest 3S delivers a fast and responsive experience. Navigating through the home environment, downloading apps, and interacting with VR content feels smooth, especially compared to the Quest 2, where lag and slowdowns were common. However, while the Quest 3S's VR quality is impressive, it doesn’t entirely eliminate the visual issues caused by its Fresnel lenses, with fuzzier edges and occasional artifacts like "God rays." Despite these, the VR experience remains enjoyable and immersive, especially for newcomers who won’t necessarily notice or mind the differences.

Meta also continues to support PC-based gaming on the Quest 3S, allowing it to stream more demanding VR titles from gaming PCs, either wirelessly or through a USB-C cable. Streaming games like *Half-Life: Alyx* on the Quest 3S was relatively lag-free, though it doesn’t quite match the visual fidelity of premium systems like the Valve Index.

While the Quest 3S can handle mixed reality experiences, such as overlaying digital objects on a live camera feed, its color cameras aren't sharp enough for long-term use in MR mode. This makes it less practical for everyday tasks like using Meta’s Remote Desktop app for extended periods, as the fuzzy view of the real world limits its utility compared to headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro.

Ultimately, the Quest 3S is a highly capable and well-priced VR headset that brings high-end VR experiences to a more affordable level. It manages to strike a balance between performance and cost, making it an attractive option for those looking to dip their toes into VR without breaking the bank. While not perfect, its power and price point make it a significant step forward for Meta’s VR lineup and a potential game-changer in the consumer VR market.