Unlock the Magic: Affordable Meta Quest 3S Review - Pioneering Mixed-Reality Innovation

Two-Minute Meta Quest 3 Preview

Meta’s latest mixed-reality headset, the Quest 3S, is a masterclass in balancing affordability with performance. By stripping away a few features from its pricier predecessor, the Quest 3, Meta has created a device that’s sure to occupy a spot near the top of our best VR headset list.

After chasing the high-end with the now-discontinued Meta Quest Pro, and then leapfrogging that headset with a more affordable Meta Quest 3 (which included a better chip and higher display resolution), Meta has pulled back just a bit on resolution, image quality, and depth-sensing to deliver its most compelling combination of value and performance yet.

A Lesson for Apple?

There may be a lesson here for Apple, which has been chasing the high-end with the $3,499 / £3,499 Apple Vision Pro, a headset that has the highest imaginable specs, and includes powerful hand and face tracking. However, while Apple hasn’t shared much about sales, it’s clear that it has not enjoyed iPhone-level adoption.

Quest 3S: A Do-It-All Headset

The Quest 3S is pitching itself as no less than a do-it-all mixed-reality headset, supporting console-level gaming, productivity (look at all those floating browser windows!), exercise, entertainment, and virtual gathering places in the form of Horizon Worlds.

Hands-On Impressions

I took the Quest 3S for a quick spin, and below you can read my hands-on first impressions – the TLDR version is that this is the well-fitting, easy-to-use, glitch-free performing VR and mixed reality headset that you probably want.

Meta Quest 3S Performance

Powerful new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset
Average battery life of two hours and 30 minutes

Should You Preorder the Meta Quest 3S?

The Meta Quest 3S is a near-perfect blend of mixed-reality value and performance. It’s not breaking any new ground in terms of AR/VR innovation, but it will easily meet or exceed expectations for image quality, control, fit, fun, and even utility.

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