Meta Connect 2024 is around the corner, starting September 25. That's the event where the social media giant is expected to announce the Meta Quest 3S, a cheaper, liter version of Meta's current virtual reality headset, the Meta Quest 3.
Supposedly, Meta will position the Quest 3S as a less expensive alternative to the Quest 3 in its VR headset lineup. The "S" appears to be being used similarly to how Microsoft markets the Xbox Series S as a cheaper model in its gaming console lineup.
Rumors show a new headset that is basically the guts of the Quest 3 in the body of the Quest 2. Should you hold out for the "lite" version of the Quest 3?
To help you decide, read on for a Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3 comparison that highlights the key differences between both headsets, based on what we know about the next Meta headset.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Price and availability
When it launched nearly a year ago, the Meta Quest 3 cost $499 for the 128 GB base version, while the larger 512GB variant jumps in price to $649.
The Quest 3S is expected to be cheaper, but more than likely with a larger price tag than the $299 Quest 2. We assume the final price will be closer to $349 or $399, though Meta may surprise us.
As for availability, if Meta announces the Quest 3S at its Connect event at the end of September, we imagine it will officially go on sale at some point in October.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Design and display
Despite being "redesigned and reimagined," the Quest 3 looked quite similar to the Quest 2. Since the Quest 3S is supposed to be a Quest 2 with the guts of a Quest 3, expect some differences.
The Quest 3 is 40% smaller than the Quest 2 with the Quest 3 featuring pancake optics to allow for higher resolution lenses in smaller spaces. The 3S might feature pancake optics as well, which should make it smaller than the Quest 2. However, it might also have fresnel lenses, which aren't as flat, and feature in the Quest 2.
The Quest 3 features a dual 4MP RGB color camera array with a depth sensor in between them and a 2064 x 2208 resolution. The 3S meanwhile might have the same 1832 x 1920 resolution as the Quest 2 with a single LCD panel. Some leaked images of the 3S suggest it will have a Decent Res Color passthrough sensor (same as in the Quest 3), an infrared illuminator and infrared fisheye camera for tracking.
Meta changed up the strap designs for the 3 with a y-shape for a secure fit, we haven't seen any rumors on the strap for the 3S , so we're not sure if the 3S will retain that design or not.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Controllers
Based on rumors we've seen, the Quest 3S will come with the same Meta Quest Touch Plus Controllers as the Quest 3.
That said, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Meta was considering shipping the headset without controllers to lower the initial cost. However, we'd note that Mark Zuckerberg has said he believes the Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3 superior to the Apple Vision Pro, which uses gesture controls.
As for Meta's Touch Plus controllers, they use AA batteries and feature TruTouch haptics, similar to the Touch Pro controllers.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Performance
As mentioned, the Quest 3S is supposed to have the guts of the Quest 3 inside and it's rumored that the 3S will be powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset as its older sibling.
Interestingly, this could actually give the Quest 3S an advantage over the Quest 3. With a lower native resolution, more demanding games may end up performing better (albeit with less visual fidelity).
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Battery life
Right now, the Quest 3 gives you about 2.5 to 3 hours of play time before needing a charge. When Tom's Guide editor Tony Polanco reviewed the Quest 3, he only got 90 minutes while watching a movie, so mileage will vary depending on how hungry the application is.
Assuming the same type of battery goes into the Quest 3S, we expect a similar amount of battery life. The Quest 2 delivered about 90 minutes of battery life, so at the very least the Quest 3S should hit a bit longer than that.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Games
The Quest 3 is already compatible with the Quest 2 games library, which includes more than 500 games plus new games that have since come out for the Quest 3.
We have seen the Quest 2 pull off newer games like recently announced Batman: Arkham Shadow coming out for the Quest 3. However, it's doubtful that Meta will restrict the Quest 3S from any older games or recently announced titles, especially with the same chipset powering both it and the Quest 3.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Mixed reality features
Here is where the biggest difference between the Quest 3 and the Quest 3S should be felt.
At launch, the Quest 3 wasn't quite a mixed reality headset, but with the full-color video passthrough and depth sensor, the Quest 3 was primed to become one and Meta has added features and apps to take advantage of those tools.
The Quest 3S is supposed to have color-passthrough but the display and cameras aren't supposed to be as robust as the Quest 3, so it's hard to tell if it will have similar or reduced mixed reality capabilities. Still, it should be capable of offering some form of mixed reality.
Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 3: Outlook
The Quest 3S appears primed to replace the Quest 2 as the cheaper entry-level VR headset alternative to Meta's mainline Quest 3, with the high-end Quest Pro completing the headset lineup.
The Quest 3 is one of the best of the virtual reality headsets on the market, so even a slightly reduced version in the Quest 3S should merit strong consideration if you're looking to get into virtual reality. The question is whether it can deliver enough value to rank as the best VR headset for most people when it launches as expect later this month.
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