**Meta Introduces Quest 3S: An Affordable VR Headset with Important Trade-offs**
During Meta’s latest **Connect conference keynote**, CEO Mark Zuckerberg officially launched the **Meta Quest 3S**, a cost-effective variant of last year’s **Meta Quest 3**. This new headset will be available from **October 15**, starting at a base price of **$300** for the **128GB** storage option. Although the Quest 3S presents a more budget-conscious entry into virtual reality (VR), it features some significant compromises when compared to its predecessor.
### Main Differences Between Quest 3S and Quest 3
The most prominent trade-off in the Quest 3S is its **display**. While the Quest 3 offers dual **2064×2208 pixel LCD displays**, the Quest 3S utilizes a lower resolution **1832×1920 per eye LCD panel**, identical to the resolution seen in the earlier **Quest 2** from 2020. This downgrade in display quality is anticipated to be noticeable, particularly for users who are used to the higher definition visuals of the Quest 3.
Another major distinction is found in the **lenses**. The Quest 3S shifts back to **fresnel lenses**, which were also utilized in the Quest 2. Fresnel lenses are bulkier and typically create more visual artifacts, such as “god rays” and glare, in contrast to the **pancake lenses** featured in the Quest 3. Pancake lenses are renowned for offering superior clarity along with a slimmer, more compact design, thus improving the overall user experience.
### Field of View and Visual Experience
The Quest 3S also displays a narrower **field of view** (FOV) compared to the Quest 3. The horizontal FOV measures **96 degrees**, decreased from **110 degrees** in the Quest 3, while the vertical FOV is **90 degrees**, down from **96 degrees**. This reduction in FOV may lead to a more pronounced “tunnel vision” sensation, requiring users to pivot their heads more often to keep objects centered within their view.
### Performance and Features
In spite of these compromises, the Quest 3S retains several core features of the Quest 3. It runs on the same **Qualcomm Snapdragon XR Gen 2 processor**, allowing it to support the same games and applications as its pricier counterpart. The headset is also bundled with **Touch Plus controllers**, which enable hand-tracking for an immersive VR experience.
As for content, the Quest 3S package includes a code for the new game **Batman: Arkham Shadow**, scheduled for release next month, as well as a **three-month trial** of Meta’s **Quest+ subscription service**, granting access to a varying library of VR games.
For those requiring additional storage, Meta will provide a **256GB model for $400** and a **512GB model for $500**.
### Passthrough and Battery Life
A notable feature of the Quest 3S is its **high-resolution full-color passthrough** video capability, enabled by an array of external sensors on the front of the device. This feature permits users to see their actual surroundings while wearing the headset, facilitating easier navigation of their environment without needing to remove the device.
In terms of battery life, the Quest 3S is equipped with a **4,324 mAh battery**, which Meta claims will yield an average usage time of **2.5 hours**. This figure is slightly improved over the **2.2-hour** average battery life of the Quest 3, despite the latter housing a larger **5,060 mAh battery**.
### Discontinuation of Quest 2 and Quest Pro
In conjunction with the unveiling of the Quest 3S, Meta also announced the discontinuation of both the **Quest 2** and the **Quest Pro**. A **blog post** from Meta specified that the company will continue selling its remaining stock of these headsets until the end of the year or until supplies run out.
### Conclusion
The Meta Quest 3S provides a more affordable path into the realm of VR, although it entails some trade-offs regarding display quality, lenses, and field of view. Nevertheless, with a robust processor, hand-tracking controllers, and high-resolution passthrough capabilities, the Quest 3S continues to deliver a compelling VR experience for those seeking a budget-conscious option. As Meta phases out the Quest 2 and Quest Pro, the Quest 3S is set to become a favored choice for both novice and seasoned VR users alike.
