Highlights
- Meta Quest 3S has been launched as a more affordable standalone VR headset
- Meta Quest 3S price starts at $299.99 (₹24,500).
- Shares core hardware with Quest 3.
- Features a single LCD screen with a slightly lower resolution and older Fresnel lenses.
- Available in 128GB and 256GB storage options.
Meta Introduces Its Most Affordable Mixed Reality Headset – Meta Quest 3S (Image Credit – Meta)
Meta has introduced a more affordable version of its popular mixed-reality headset – the Meta Quest 3S. It is offered as a standalone mixed-reality headset and is aimed at making virtual reality more accessible.
“The “S” represents your “start” into the Meta Quest 3 portfolio. We’re excited to be launching a device that allows more people to access high-quality mixed reality,” Meta Quest official X handled posted.
The newly launched Meta Quest 3S shares the core hardware of the non-S version – the Meta Quest 3. It is powered by the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and offers 8GB of RAM. However, the Quest 3S offers the same core hardware at a lower price point.
Meta Quest 3S price starts at $299.99 (around ₹24,500).
How Is Quest 3S Different From Quest 3 and Quest 2?
The Quest 3S combines features of both the Quest 2 and Quest 3 but offers a standalone device with a comparatively affordable price tag.
Unlike the Quest 3’s dual LCDs, the Quest 3S has a single LCD screen with a slightly lower resolution (1,832 x 1,920px per eye). However, it still supports 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rates.
It also swaps out the Quest 3’s slim pancake lenses for the older Fresnel lenses from the Quest 2. This helps in getting a narrower field of view.
Display specs of Quest 3S (Image credit – Meta)
It measures 96° horizontally and 90° vertically, slightly different from the 110° and 96° offered by the Quest 3.
It is also nearly identical to Quest 3 in terms of weight. While Quest 3 weighs 515g, the newly launched Quest 3S weighs 514g.
Moreover, the Quest 3S offers better battery life as compared to the Quest 3. The battery performance is better as it lasts up to 2 hours and 30 minutes even though the battery is smaller.
Meta Quest 3S – Unboxing and Setup
Meta Quest released a quick unboxing video with the initial setup guide.
The videos demonstrate how to turn your headset on and show the functionality of all the buttons. Users can refer to this video to get to know the Meta Quest 3S and Touch Plus controllers better.
Meta Quest 3S – Price and Availability
The Meta Quest 3S is available in two storage options – 128 GB and 256 GB. The 12GB variant costs $299.9 (around ₹24,500), whereas the 256GB variant is available for $400 (around ₹33,000).
With this launch, Meta has also reduced the price of the 512GB Quest 3. It will now be available at a reduced price of $500 (around ₹42,500) for those seeking a higher display quality.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Meta Quest 3S?
Answer. The Meta Quest 3S is a budget-friendly VR headset, starting at $299.9, sharing the core hardware with the Quest 3 but with a single LCD screen and older Fresnel lenses to reduce costs.
Q2. What are the display specifications of the Meta Quest 3S?
Answer. The Quest 3S features a single LCD screen with a resolution of 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye. It supports 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rates for smooth visuals.
Q3. What is the battery life of the Meta Quest 3S?
Answer. The Meta Quest 3S offers improved battery life, lasting up to 2 hours and 30 minutes, despite being almost identical in weight to the Quest 3.
Q4. What are the storage options available for the Meta Quest 3S?
Answer. The Meta Quest 3S is available in two storage options: 128GB for $300 and 256GB for $400. The price of the 512GB Quest 3 has been reduced to $500.
Q5. What hardware powers the Meta Quest 3S?
Answer. The Meta Quest 3S is powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and comes with 8GB of RAM, providing a strong performance for VR experiences.
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