Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a standalone mixed reality head-mounted display developed by Meta Platforms, released on October 15, 2024 at $299 for the 128 GB model. It is positioned as the entry-level model in Meta's third-generation Quest lineup, sharing the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and mixed reality capabilities as the Meta Quest 3, but with lower-resolution displays and Fresnel optics inherited from the Meta Quest 2. The Quest 3S replaces the Quest 2 at its price point while delivering full-color passthrough and the same software ecosystem as Quest 3.
| Meta Quest 3S | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR |
| Platform | Meta Quest, Meta Horizon OS |
| Developer | Meta Platforms |
| Manufacturer | Meta Platforms |
| Announcement Date | September 25, 2024 |
| Release Date | October 15, 2024 |
| Price | $299 USD (128 GB), $399 USD (256 GB) |
| Website | https://www.meta.com/quest/quest-3s/ |
| Predecessor | Meta Quest 2 |
| System | |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Display | |
| Display | 2× LCD |
| Resolution | 1832×1920 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 72 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 97° |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Fresnel lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 3 presets (58, 63, 68mm) |
| Passthrough | Color (dual RGB cameras) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Inside-out 6DoF |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Spatial audio speakers |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C |
| Device | |
| Weight | ~514g |
| Color | White |
History and Development
Meta unveiled the Quest 3S on September 25, 2024 at Meta Connect and released it on October 15, 2024. The headset was designed to make mixed reality more accessible at the $299 price point previously occupied by the Quest 2. Simultaneously, Meta reduced the Quest 3 (512 GB) from $649 to $499, establishing a clear product hierarchy.[1]
Batman: Arkham Shadow was bundled free with both Quest 3 and 3S purchases from launch through April 30, 2025.[2]
Design and Hardware
Display
Uses Quest 2-derived display technology:
- Dual LCD panels
- 1832×1920 resolution per eye (lower than Quest 3's 2064×2208)
- 72 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz refresh rates
- 97° field of view (slightly wider than Quest 2)
- Visible screen door effect (more apparent than Quest 3)
- 3 IPD presets: 58mm, 63mm, 68mm
Optics
Inherited from Quest 2:
- Fresnel lenses (not pancake like Quest 3)
- Larger lens assembly than Quest 3
- Same optical design as Quest 2
Processing
Same as Quest 3:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- 8 GB RAM
- 128 GB or 256 GB storage
- Full mixed reality performance
Mixed Reality
Color passthrough capability:
- Dual RGB cameras for full-color passthrough
- Mixed reality experiences
- No depth sensor (unlike Quest 3)
- May affect some MR precision
- Same MR software features as Quest 3
Build
- ~514g weight
- White color scheme
- Quest 2-style form factor
- ~2.5 hours battery life
- USB-C charging
Controllers
Same Touch Plus controllers as Quest 3:
- Meta Touch Plus controllers included
- Enhanced haptics
- Improved ergonomics
- TruTouch haptic feedback
- IR LED tracking rings removed
- Camera-tracked
Features
Hand Tracking
- Advanced hand tracking
- Controller-free interaction
- Gesture recognition
- Same capabilities as Quest 3
Entertainment
- Streaming: Prime Video, Twitch, YouTube, Netflix (HD in Browser)
- Gaming: Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), Quest store games
- Theater View: Immersive viewing environment
- Dolby Atmos: Spatial audio support
- Travel Mode: Use while in transit
Software
- Full Meta Horizon OS ecosystem
- Same app compatibility as Quest 3
- All Quest 3 games supported
- Mixed reality apps
Comparison with Quest 3
| Feature | Quest 3S | Quest 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (base) | $299 | $499 |
| Resolution | 1832×1920/eye | 2064×2208/eye |
| Optics | Fresnel | Pancake |
| Processor | XR2 Gen 2 | XR2 Gen 2 |
| IPD | 3 presets | Continuous |
| Depth Sensor | No | Yes |
| Weight | ~514g | ~515g |
| Field of View | 97° | 110° |
Reception
Praise:
- Excellent $299 value proposition
- Same XR2 Gen 2 processor as Quest 3
- Full-color passthrough mixed reality
- Gaming performance matches Quest 3
- Mixed reality performance on par with Quest 3
- Good entry point for first-time VR users
- Same software ecosystem and game library
- Touch Plus controllers included
- 120 Hz refresh rate support
Criticism:
- Obvious screen door effect due to lower resolution
- Fresnel lenses (not pancake)
- Limited IPD presets (only 3 options)
- Not as comfortable as Quest 3
- No depth sensor may limit MR precision
- Quest 2-derived optics
- "Incremental update" to Quest 2[3]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Introducing Meta Quest 3S, Our Most Affordable Mixed Reality Headset". Meta. https://about.fb.com/news/2024/09/meta-quest-3s-our-most-affordable-mixed-reality-headset/.
- ↑ "Meta Quest 3S". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Quest_3S.
- ↑ "Meta Quest 3S: Price, release date, features, specs and more". Tom's Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/vr-ar/meta-quest-3s-everything-we-know-about-the-cheaper-vr-headset.
- ↑ "Meta Quest 3S - The Best Budget VR Headset Of 2024". Maecker VR. https://maeckervr.com/blogs/news/meta-quest-3s-the-best-budget-vr-headset-of-2024.