The Meta Quest 3 is Meta's reigning champion for the best VR headset, but the Quest 3S is boasting much of the same specs and all of the same software and features at a cheaper price (though the rival model does have less storage, a bulkier frame, and less crisp displays)

Considering a Meta Quest 3S as an upgrade from your Quest 2? Here's what you miss out on (and gain) from picking it over the classic Quest 3.

With the Quest 3 and the Quest 3S, Meta has a strong lineup. Even though VR headsets remain relatively niche — and the company’s metaverse ambitions haven’t even come close to fruition — if you’re new to VR, Meta offers great hardware and a ton of VR experiences to get lost in. And perhaps best of all, you won’t have to pay $3,499 to get started.

The Quest 3S is bringing almost as much to the table as the Quest 3 but for $200 less. Meta may have just made an offer that mixed-reality first-timers can't refuse.

Meta Connect 2024 just revealed its new Quest 3S headset, but how does it stack up to the lower-end Meta Quest 2?

Speaking of lenses, the Meta Quest 3S reverts to fresnel lenses. The Quest 3’s “pancake lenses” help make graphics in your peripheral vision look sharper, making the whole experience more immersive. Since this device has fresnel lenses like the Meta Quest 2, I expect the viewing experience will be largely similar.

Samsung is working on ways to make its headphones sound more natural, thanks to the added pressures of mixed reality headsets like the Meta Quest 3S.

With a $300 starting price, the Meta Quest 3S is a full $200 less expensive than the Quest 3. Clearly Meta’s strategy of flooding the market with devices is still in full effect with this one.

Learn more about Meta's new Quest 3S, a budget-priced mixed-reality headset with many of the best features of the $500 Quest 3.