Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 2: Which VR Headset is Right for You?

The VR headset market is heating up with Meta's latest release. Discover how the Meta Quest 3S stacks up against the Meta Quest 2 and find out which one suits your needs.

Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 2: Which VR Headset is Right for You?

What is Meta Quest 3S?

The Meta Quest 3S is shaping up to be a more budget-friendly option for those seeking the same mixed reality (MR) capabilities and performance as the Meta Quest 3, but at a lower price point. While it may share many of the core features of its premium sibling—such as smooth passthrough functionality and a powerful Snapdragon Gen 2 chip—key differences in design and build are expected to account for the price reduction.

A Fresh Contender: Introducing the Meta Quest 3S

Meta announced its new mixed reality headset, the Meta Quest 3S, during the 2024 Meta Connect keynote, positioning it as a balanced option in its lineup. With a starting price of £289.99, the Quest 3S sits between last year’s £500 Meta Quest 3 and the soon-to-be-discontinued Meta Quest 2 from 2020.

The Quest 3S provides an affordable yet high-performance experience, sharing the same processor and full-colour external cameras as the Quest 3, but with a per-eye resolution similar to the Quest 2. This makes it a standout option for users who want the latest technology without spending extra money. The device also features Fresnel lenses, offering clear visuals and making it an appealing choice for those who want immersive mixed reality experiences on a budget.

A key technical difference is the field of view, where the Quest 3S may offer a slightly narrower scope than the more expensive models, but it still provides a competitive edge in its price range. This new model brings significant advancements while keeping it affordable for the wider audience, making it a viable alternative to pricier headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro.

The platform is fully integrated with the Metaverse and supports a range of experiences, including Xbox streaming, VR gaming, and productivity apps. While users will need to consider the extra money required for the premium Quest 3 or Apple’s offerings, the Quest 3S delivers a solid new generation mixed reality experience for those seeking the perfect middle ground in Meta’s headsets lineup.

Performance and Specs: How Do They Compare?

The Meta Quest 3S is equipped with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, the same high-performance processor found in the Quest 3, which ensures faster load times and a smoother overall performance. While the Quest 3 boasts 4K pixel dimensions, the Quest 3S offers a resolution similar to the Quest 2 but enhances the experience with improved colour and clarity, making it a strong contender in the mixed virtual reality headset market.

The Quest 3S comes in two storage options, 128GB and 256GB, providing plenty of space for apps, games, and immersive experiences. Though it lacks the pancake lenses of the more expensive Quest 3, it still offers solid visuals thanks to its Fresnel lenses, which deliver impressive clarity for its price. Additionally, the Quest 3S supports reality passthrough, allowing users to seamlessly switch between the virtual and real world.

Paired with Pro Controllers, the Quest 3S remains an excellent choice for both casual users and enthusiasts looking for quality at a more affordable cost. With a refresh rate designed to reduce motion blur and enhance gameplay, the device offers fluid performance even in demanding VR games.

In terms of the future, the Quest 3S positions itself as a cost-effective option in the virtual reality headset landscape, offering a great alternative to more expensive models. Whether you're comparing headsets side-by-side or looking for a guide to affordable VR, the Quest 3S delivers solid features at a competitive price, making it a strong option for consumers looking for consoles with immersive capabilities.

In summary, the Quest 3S combines the power of the XR2 Gen 2 chipset with smart design choices, offering a middle-ground solution in Meta’s VR lineup. It's a device worth considering for anyone looking to experience the huge differences that future virtual reality technology promises to bring.

Mixed Reality Features: The Next Level of Immersion

The mixed reality capabilities of the Meta Quest 3S are a significant step up from its predecessors, positioning it as a standout device in the evolving world of VR and MR headsets. These capabilities are powered by full-colour external cameras, which allow the user to seamlessly integrate and interact with both the physical and virtual environments.

Key Mixed Reality Features of the Meta Quest 3S:

1. Full-Color Passthrough:

   • The full-colour passthrough technology allows the user to see their real-world surroundings in vibrant colour, unlike the basic grayscale passthrough available in older devices like the Meta Quest 2. This enables the Quest 3S to overlay virtual objects and interfaces onto the real world with greater accuracy, improving the immersion and making interactions feel more natural.

   • This feature is particularly useful for activities like virtual workspaces, where users can see both their physical desk and VR apps in the same environment.

2. Blended Reality Experiences:

   • The Meta Quest 3S is designed to provide seamless transitions between VR and the real world. For example, while playing a game or using an app, users can move from a fully immersive virtual environment to an augmented real-world space where virtual elements, such as holograms, float in their physical space.

   • This makes the headset ideal for productivity apps and games that involve real-world interaction, such as designing in 3D or interacting with mixed-reality characters in your living room.

3. Improved Spatial Awareness:

   • The Quest 3S’s external cameras improve spatial awareness, helping users move around safely while using the device. By accurately mapping the physical space, it prevents accidental collisions with objects like furniture or walls.

   • This feature also enhances interaction in multiplayer mixed reality games, where players can move around real-world spaces while engaging with digital content.

4. Virtual Object Interaction:

   • The Meta Quest 3S allows users to interact with virtual objects as if they were part of the real world. This is a game-changer for MR headsets, providing users with intuitive ways to manipulate virtual tools, furniture, and characters through advanced hand tracking and controller input.

5. Passthrough for Productivity and Fitness:

   • Users can overlay virtual displays while working or exercising, making the headset a powerful tool for virtual meetings, multitasking, or even fitness apps where the real world needs to be visible. For example, you could box with a virtual opponent while still seeing your living room surroundings.

Comparison to Meta Quest 2:

• The Meta Quest 2 only features a grayscale passthrough, limiting its mixed reality potential. Users can't experience the same level of immersion or natural interaction, making the Quest 3S a more capable device for those looking to explore MR applications.

Applications of Mixed Reality:

• Gaming: Mixed reality games that let you interact with virtual characters while remaining aware of your real-world environment.

• Workspaces: Tools like Meta Horizon Workrooms allow users to work in virtual offices while still having access to real-world objects like their keyboard and mouse.

• Fitness: Blending real-world and virtual environments enhances physical workouts, with real-time awareness of your surroundings to avoid collisions.

In conclusion, the Meta Quest 3S’s mixed reality capabilities represent a leap forward, combining the power of virtual reality with real-world interactions to create a more immersive and engaging experience. Whether for gaming, productivity, or fitness, the Quest 3S stands out for its ability to blend worlds in ways that older headsets like the Meta Quest 2 cannot.

Price and Value: Which Offers The Best Value?

At £289.99, the Meta Quest 3S provides a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking high-quality VR experiences. It sits comfortably between the Quest 3 and the Quest 2 offering a blend of affordability and advanced features.

The Quest 3 has also seen a price adjustment, now available only in a 512GB configuration priced at £469.99. This shift makes the Quest 3S an attractive middle-ground choice, particularly for those who want mixed reality features without breaking the bank.

Which VR Headset Should You Choose?

When deciding between the Meta Quest 3S and the Meta Quest 2, there are several factors to consider, including budget, performance, and features. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the best headset for your needs.

1. Price and Value

• Meta Quest 3S: Priced at £289.99, it sits comfortably between the higher-end Quest 3 and the more affordable Quest 2. For users looking to experience the latest in mixed reality (MR) without the steep cost of the Quest 3, the Quest 3S offers a perfect middle ground.

• Meta Quest 2: Typically available at a lower price point, often found with deals around £200 to £250, the Quest 2 is a great entry-level headset for those new to VR.

2. Mixed Reality and Optics

• Meta Quest 3S: The Quest 3S features full-colour passthrough for mixed reality experiences, significantly improving immersion over the Quest 2. Its Fresnel lenses provide enhanced clarity, and the optics are better suited for mixed reality applications. Additionally, the battery life has been improved for longer play sessions, and the display delivers sharper visuals compared to its predecessor.

• Meta Quest 2: While the Quest 2 also supports basic passthrough, it lacks the full-colour passthrough of the 3S, limiting its use in MR applications. The display quality, while decent, doesn’t match the resolution and colour clarity of the Quest 3S.

3. Performance

• Meta Quest 3S: Equipped with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, the Quest 3S delivers faster load times and smoother gameplay, making it a better option for more demanding VR games and apps. The mixed reality experience is also far more immersive thanks to this enhanced performance.

• Meta Quest 2: Powered by the older Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1, the Quest 2 still performs well for basic VR experiences but may struggle with more intensive applications, especially as newer games and apps are developed with higher system requirements.

4. Design and Comfort

• Meta Quest 3S: Slightly bulkier than the Quest 3, the Quest 3S still offers a comfortable fit with its redesigned head straps and balanced weight distribution. Its optics and field of view are optimized for extended sessions, making it more comfortable for mixed reality tasks.

• Meta Quest 2: Lightweight and relatively comfortable, the Quest 2 remains a good choice for users who prioritize comfort and portability, although its design is starting to feel dated compared to the 3S.

5. Games and Apps

• Meta Quest 3S: With access to the Quest Store, users will have a wide selection of games and apps, many of which are optimised for the mixed reality capabilities of the 3S. Its ability to handle MR games and apps, such as virtual workspaces and interactive MR experiences, gives it an edge in versatility.

• Meta Quest 2: The Quest 2 shares the same app ecosystem but may not perform as well with newer MR and high-performance games. However, it’s still a fantastic option for traditional VR gaming.

Final Verdict

If your goal is to future-proof your VR experience and explore the possibilities of mixed reality, the Meta Quest 3S is a great investment. Its advanced features, better optics, and improved battery make it a worthy upgrade over the Quest 2. However, if you're simply looking for an affordable entry into VR gaming and don't need MR capabilities, the Meta Quest 2 remains a viable and cost-effective option.