Quest 3S Specs - Compared To Quest 3, Quest 2, Apple Vision And More

The Quest 3S is finally here, boasting impressive specs and features. But how does it stack up against its competitors? We break down the details.

Quest 3S: A New Era in VR and Mixed Reality

The Meta Quest 3S launch marks a transformative step in VR and mixed reality by delivering high-end performance at a more accessible price. Powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, also seen in the Meta Quest 3, this virtual reality headset is designed for users who seek immersive experiences without the higher price tag of models like the Meta Quest Pro.

A key feature of the Quest 3S is its low-light hand tracking, which surpasses even the Quest 3’s capabilities. This enhanced tracking makes it ideal for various environments, ensuring reliability across different lighting conditions. While this VR headset excels in performance, there are trade-offs in the lens type and display resolution. Instead of adopting pancake lenses like the Quest Pro, the Quest 3S uses fresnel lenses, which, paired with a single LCD panel, slightly reduce lens clarity. The fresnel lenses are bulkier than the more advanced pancake lenses, impacting the headset's overall thickness and weight.

The Quest 3S display offers a respectable pixels per eye count for clear visuals. However, the single LCD screen lacks the sharpness provided by newer lens types. The Quest 3S doesn’t include an RGB camera for colour passthrough, a feature offered in higher-end models. Despite this, it remains a versatile choice for a broader audience, especially gamers and those using the headset for virtual reality guides or interactive games.

For audio, Meta has implemented upgraded speakers, ensuring users get an immersive audio experience without the need for external headphones. Battery life is another consideration: while capable, the Quest 3S’s battery performance is more moderate than premium models, but it is suitable for extended gameplay or training sessions without frequent recharging.

With the official announcement of the Quest 3S, Meta aims to cater to a wide audience looking for quality mixed reality at an affordable price, making this a strong contender in the reality headset market.

Quest 3S vs Quest 3: What's the Difference?

When comparing the Meta Quest 3S and Meta Quest 3, several differences emerge that define each headset’s suitability for different users. Both headsets leverage the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset , enhancing the mixed reality experience. However, the Quest 3S introduces design choices that prioritise affordability over cutting-edge features, making it a solid option for those seeking a budget-friendly VR headset for immersive VR games and demos.

One primary distinction lies in the lens type and display system. Unlike the Quest 3’s dual-panel display and advanced pancake lenses, the Quest 3S uses fresnel lenses combined with a single LCD panel, similar to the Quest 2. This setup results in lower lens clarity and a bulkier form factor, affecting visual quality and comfort. While the fresnel lenses support high-quality VR games and applications, they lack the sharpness quality provided by pancake lenses.

Another significant difference is in mixed reality capabilities. The Quest 3 includes a depth sensor with a dedicated depth projector to enhance room meshing, creating more accurate virtual boundaries for mixed reality interactions. In contrast, the Quest 3S does not include a depth sensor, instead utilising two IR flood illuminators. These provide improved low-light performance for head tracking and hand tracking, allowing users to interact in dimly lit spaces without compromising responsiveness. However, the absence of a depth sensor limits the precision in defining room boundaries, which may affect advanced mixed reality setups.

Audio and control features also differ slightly. While the Quest 3 offers a 3.5mm headphone jack for optional wired audio, the Quest 3S replaces this with an Action Button that allows users to quickly switch between passthrough and immersive VR modes. This new feature simplifies the transition between real-world and virtual experiences, although the lack of a headphone jack means users will have to rely on the built-in speakers or Bluetooth headphones.

Both devices share the same operating system and can receive similar system updates to improve performance and functionality over time. However, the Quest 3S’s hardware decisions make it more aligned with casual or introductory VR gaming and mixed reality use.

In summary, the Quest 3S is an appealing choice for those who prioritise affordability and standard mixed reality functionality over premium features, while the Quest 3 remains the more robust option for high-quality VR and mixed reality experiences.

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Quest 3S vs Quest 2: Evolution or Revolution?

The Meta Quest 3S represents a evolution in VR compared to the Quest 2, blending familiar design elements with substantial upgrades that bring it closer to a high-performance Quest headset. Although it retains the fresnel lenses and single-panel LCD display seen in the Quest 2, the Quest 3S incorporates cutting-edge features that elevate the VR experience.

Powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset—a leap forward from the Quest 2's XR2 Gen 1—the Quest 3S benefits from over twice the GPU power and comes with an additional 2GB of RAM. These hardware advancements allow for higher default rendering resolutions and smoother performance, ensuring crisper visuals and richer VR experiences. The upgraded chipset, developed by Qualcomm, boosts visual fidelity and supports advanced hand tracking for more responsive navigation and interaction in virtual environments.

The Quest 3S introduces a range of features absent in the Quest 2, including colour passthrough for a more immersive mixed reality experience. This allows users to see their surroundings in real colour, enhancing activities that blend the physical and virtual worlds. Moreover, the addition of infrared emitters improves tracking accuracy and enables inside-out body tracking—an exciting upgrade for users seeking more natural, precise motion in VR.

Another enhancement is Wi-Fi 6E support, ensuring faster, more stable wireless connections for cloud-based applications and VR streaming. This feature also reduces latency, which is especially valuable for users engaged in fast-paced VR gaming. Furthermore, the Quest 3S introduces Touch Plus controllers, which are more compact and ergonomic, improving the overall user experience. The Touch Plus controllers offer enhanced hands freedom, reducing interference during gameplay and improving tracking consistency.

Despite these improvements, the Quest 3S retains a slightly bulkier design due to its fresnel lenses, affecting its weight compared to higher-end models with pancake lenses. However, the Quest 3S’s fresnel lenses and single LCD panel keep costs lower, making it accessible for a wider audience while delivering a noticeable boost in performance and features over the Quest 2.

In summary, the Quest 3S combines the best of the Quest 2’s familiar design with significant performance enhancements, making it an attractive VR headset for both VR newcomers and experienced users. With advanced capabilities like colour passthrough, Wi-Fi 6E, and Touch Plus controllers, it’s a versatile option for those looking to explore mixed reality and more immersive VR gaming.

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How Does the Quest 3S Compare to Apple Vision Pro?

 

 

The Meta Quest 3S and the Apple Vision Pro represent two distinct approaches to VR and mixed reality headsets, each catering to different market segment and user expectations. The Quest 3S emphasises accessibility, delivering a strong combination of performance and affordability. By leveraging the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and focusing on features that balance cost and capability, Meta’s headset aims to attract a broader user base, including gamers, casual VR enthusiasts, and professionals interested in mixed reality without breaking the bank.

In contrast, the Apple Vision Pro is positioned as a premium device, targeting users willing to invest in high-end, immersive technology. Apple is likely to emphasise superior display quality with advanced resolution and refresh rate specifications, which could enhance visual clarity and create a more polished user experience. The Vision Pro is expected to feature seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, enabling connectivity with other Apple devices for a unified experience across platforms—a distinct advantage for those who are already invested in Apple’s products.

Key differences between the Quest 3S and Vision Pro extend to display and lens technology. While the Quest 3S uses a single-panel LCD display with fresnel lenses, Apple’s Vision Pro likely employs higher-quality lenses, potentially using micro-OLED or pancake lenses that enhance field of view, colour accuracy, and sharpness, elevating the immersion experience. The Quest 3S offers a balanced visual quality suitable for VR gaming and mixed reality, but it may not match the clarity of the Vision Pro, which is anticipated to provide higher pixel density for an ultra-crisp display.

Performance and tracking capabilities also distinguish these headsets. The Quest 3S, while powerful with the XR2 Gen 2 chip, focuses on reliable inside-out tracking using infrared emitters and optimized hand tracking. Apple’s Vision Pro may provide advanced tracking with additional sensors or proprietary Apple technology, enhancing eye tracking, gesture control, and environmental mapping for a highly refined interaction experience.

Battery life is another big difference. While the Quest 3S is expected to offer a moderate battery life , the Vision Pro, with its high-powered features, could have shorter battery duration due to power demands, though it may feature optimised power management to maintain performance.

On the controller side, the Quest 3S comes with ringless Touch Plus controllers, designed for a lightweight feel and precision tracking, ideal for VR games and applications. Apple may opt for controller-free interaction with a focus on eye and hand tracking, allowing users to navigate through gestures alone.

In terms of release dates and availability, the Quest 3S is positioned as an accessible, ready-for-market device, allowing Meta to capture users who want mixed reality at a budget-friendly price. Meanwhile, Apple’s Vision Pro, aimed at early adopters and professionals, comes with a higher price point, making it a more significant investment. For consumers, this means that the Meta Quest line, including the Quest 3S, remains one of the best options for mixed reality on a budget, while the Apple Vision Pro appeals to those seeking a top-tier experience in the mixed reality headset landscape.

Other Contenders: Where Does Quest 3S Stand?

In the increasingly competitive VR and mixed reality market, the Meta Quest 3S faces strong competition from other notable headsets like the HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and Valve Index. Each of these devices offers distinct features that appeal to specific user preferences, whether it's high-resolution graphics, immersive field of view, or unique gaming experiences.

The Quest 3S carves out a unique position by balancing advanced technology with affordability, making it accessible to a broad range of users. While it may not have the high specifications of premium headsets, the Quest 3S is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, which provides excellent GPU performance and efficient multitasking capabilities, supporting smooth VR experiences for gaming and mixed reality. This makes it an appealing option for both newcomers and those looking to upgrade without spending on premium models.

HTC Vive headsets, for example, excel in high-resolution displays and are popular among PC VR users who prefer a wired connection for stable, high-quality graphics. Vive’s offerings often feature high refresh rates and impressive field of view, providing a very immersive experience, though typically at a higher price and with more complex setups.

The PlayStation VR series is tailored to PlayStation console users and prioritizes seamless integration with PlayStation-exclusive games. While it doesn’t offer the standalone functionality of the Quest 3S, its close integration with the PlayStation ecosystem makes it ideal for dedicated gamers.

Meanwhile, the Valve Index stands out for its field of view and refresh rate, along with finger-tracking controllers that provide a more detailed and responsive interaction experience. It appeals to users looking for a high-end, PC-tethered setup with advanced control and visual fidelity but comes with a higher price tag and a reliance on powerful PC hardware.

By contrast, the Quest 3S is fully standalone, eliminating the need for external devices like PCs or consoles. Its design also draws from Oculus Rift innovations, with Meta continuing to refine standalone VR headsets. The Quest 3S’s color passthrough and infrared emitters enhance the mixed reality experience, allowing users to integrate real-world surroundings into their VR space with ease. This makes it suitable for users interested in both VR gaming and mixed reality applications without the need for external tracking systems or complicated setups.

Furthermore, with its ringless Touch Plus controllers, the Quest 3S offers ergonomic, accurate hand-tracking, ideal for interactive VR content. Combined with its budget-friendly design and support for a wide range of applications, this headset stands out as an accessible yet feature-rich option in the market.

In summary, the Meta Quest 3S appeals to users who prioritise convenience, affordability, and a robust set of VR and mixed reality features. It’s an excellent middle-ground device that offers the best of both worlds: advanced performance driven by Qualcomm technology at a reasonable price, suitable for users across experience levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPU is needed for Quest 3?

For a seamless VR experience with headsets like the Meta Quest 3S and Oculus series, having a powerful PC setup is essential if you plan to use these devices with a PC for graphically intensive applications. For example, using a PC VR setup with the Quest 3S or Oculus Rift S in tethered mode can greatly enhance visuals and unlock higher-performance capabilities. Here are some recommended specifications:

Processor Requirements

A recent 6-core Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD Ryzen 5 processor is recommended to handle the demanding data processing requirements of VR applications. VR headsets, especially when connected to a PC, require a processor that can handle real-time rendering and high frame rates without lag or stutter. Higher-end models, like the Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 series, can also offer additional headroom for intensive tasks, such as rendering complex environments or supporting VR game streaming.

Graphics Card Specifications

For smooth and visually stunning VR experiences, a NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 graphics card (both with at least 6GB of VRAM) is the minimum requirement. These GPUs can support complex rendering effects, textures, and detailed environments while maintaining high frame rates. However, for the best experience, especially with VR systems pushing higher display resolutions and refresh rates, upgrading to a NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti, RTX 2060, or AMD Radeon RX 5700 or higher can significantly enhance performance and visual clarity.

Memory and Storage

Smooth VR performance also depends on having sufficient memory. 16GB of RAM is recommended to avoid lag when running VR software, managing large environments, or handling multiple applications simultaneously. Additionally, VR software benefits from the fast load times of SSD storage, which can decrease the time it takes to launch games and load assets.

Optimizing for Specific VR Headsets

Different VR headsets may have unique requirements:

• Oculus Rift S: Originally designed as a PC-tethered VR headset, it works best with a powerful GPU and a high-refresh-rate monitor for optimal synchronization and frame rate stability. The Rift S can benefit from graphics cards like the RTX 2070 for a more fluid, high-resolution experience.

• PlayStation VR2: Although designed to be used with the PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2 could set the standard for VR rendering power needed across VR headsets. The PS VR2’s 4K HDR display and 120Hz refresh rate indicate the level of detail that next-gen headsets are aiming for, meaning that high-spec PC VR setups may increasingly align with these capabilities for immersive performance.

These recommendations ensure your VR experience is smooth, responsive, and visually rich, whether you’re using a Quest headset in tethered mode, Oculus Rift S, or striving for the standards set by next-gen devices like the PlayStation VR2.

Is the Quest 3 powerful?

In terms of hardware performance, the Meta Quest 3 is a notable step up from the Quest Pro. Although the Quest Pro utilizes the Snapdragon XR2+ chipset, this processor is built on the Gen 1 platform and is somewhat dated compared to the newer Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 found in the Quest 3. This upgrade makes the Quest 3 technically more powerful, offering improved processing speed, efficiency, and support for higher default rendering resolutions.

The XR2 Gen 2 platform in the Quest 3 enhances overall graphics rendering, enabling smoother and more detailed VR experiences with better thermal management. This chipset allows for more complex VR gaming and mixed reality applications, delivering higher frame rates and reduced latency, which significantly improve immersion and usability. Additionally, the Quest 3 includes extra RAM, which boosts multitasking capabilities, allowing users to run more demanding applications seamlessly.

Key Performance Upgrades

• Specs and Processing Power: The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 in the Quest 3 is optimized for high-performance VR, supporting advanced AI features, improved scene processing, and better depth mapping for mixed reality.

• Graphics Rendering: With the upgraded chipset, the Quest 3 offers faster, more detailed visual rendering than the Quest Pro, making it ideal for applications that require high-resolution graphics and smooth frame rates.

• Thermal Efficiency: The XR2 Gen 2 platform includes design improvements to maintain better thermal efficiency, so the Quest 3 can handle intensive use for longer periods without overheating.

This advancement puts the Quest 3 ahead in terms of both specs and user experience, making it the preferred choice for users looking for peak performance at a competitive price point. It’s a great example of how Oculus Quest devices continue to evolve with new hardware that caters to both casual and advanced VR enthusiasts.