Cover Image Credit: Meta
At Yulio, we’ve always talked about how using a true VR Headset is the best way to build immersion and present with the maximum impact when using virtual reality. However, for the longest time, a VR headset was considered a high-end piece of equipment and with it a high-end price tag. However, that changed when Meta released their line of Quest Headsets. Ever since the Oculus Quest (now Meta Quest) these headsets have been our top recommendations for those looking to get into VR. These headsets are much more affordable than other headsets on the market and offer up an excellent VR experience that you can take with you anywhere.
These trends all continue with the latest headset announcement from Meta. Just last month they announced the Meta Quest 3s, a cheaper version of their Meta Quest 3 headset that promises to offer a similar experience at a cheaper price. In this article we will break down the main Meta Quest 3s features that differ between the two headsets and give you our thoughts on using the device in a business sense.
Meta Quest 3S Features and Differences from the Meta Quest 3
First let’s get into the key features of the Meta Quest 3S. The headset is the same shape as the Meta Quest 3 but features a different exterior camera placement. The resolution inside the headset is 1832 x 1920 with a variable refresh rate of 90-120hz. The headset includes the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 processor and 8GB of DRAM.
For pricing, the headset starts at $300 for a version with 128GB of storage or $400 for one with 256GB of storage. This makes the entry-level for this headset $100 cheaper than the Meta Quest 3. But what are the main differences between the two headsets that make this price feasible?
Firstly, the headset resolution is slightly less on the Meta Quest 3S with the 3 having a resolution of 2064 x 2028. And the FOV is slightly more limited on the Meta Quest 3s meaning you won't see quite as much with the Meta Quest 3s, but the overall image should not suffer too much. One change as well is the lenses have gone back to the Fresnel shape, which was on the Meta Quest 2. Many people agreed that the new “pancake lenses” features on the Meta Quest 3 greatly added to the image quality. But other than those few changes, the specs on the Meta Quest 3s are identical to the Meta Quest 3. Meaning you will have the same processing power and speed.
Should You Use the Meta Quest 3S at Your Business?
When the Meta Quest 3 came out, we gave our thoughts on the latest headset from Meta. Overall, we were impressed with the image clarity and the headset's new Augmented Reality features. It stood out for its performance and immersion quality. However, it did have a price tag that was a bit higher than its predecessor and that made it a little harder to recommend if you simply wanted to use the headset for presentations. The price was still much cheaper than other popular headsets such as the Apple Vision Pro, a headset that we felt we could not recommend due to the steep price. In the end, we still recommended going with the Meta Quest 2.
However, with this newer cheaper version of the Meta Quest 3S, it's much easier to recommend as a go-to headset for new VR users. The improved resolution over the Meta Quest 2 is a good boon, and the improved processing power means everything will just run a bit faster and smoother.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Meta Devices
The announcement of the Meta Quest 3S bodes well for Meta continuing to make VR increasingly accessible to the general public and those who have a mild interest in VR and want to pursue a more premium version of the technology beyond what is available on smartphones or other devices. We’ve seen some higher-end headsets such as the Meta Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro struggle to gain traction with users, so this feels like a smart move on Meta to double down on affordability when it comes to VR. We hope this trend continues in the future and other companies can find ways to get VR into the hands of more people.
