The Quest 3S meta is fantastic, but there’s one big reason to choose Quest 3 instead

On October 15, 2024By Yukito

I finally managed to get my hands on the Meta Quest 3S VR headset to test out for our in-depth Meta Quest 3S review, and using it brought back memories of using the Oculus Quest 2 and made me realize how crappy its graphics had been all along.

The Meta Quest 3S uses the same chipset and has the same RAM as the Meta Quest 3, which means it can play the same VR games and apps as its siblings, just like the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow (even a free copy of the game is included). But the most noticeable deterioration is the displays. Instead of the Quest 3’s clear dual-2064 x 2208-pixel-per-eye setup, you’ll have to settle for the Quest 2’s single-1832 x 1920-pixel-per-eye setup, which the Quest 3S alters.

The Meta Quest 3S also relies on the Fresnel lens system used in the Quest 2, rather than the pancake lenses used in the Quest 3. I won’t go into the technical details of the differences between these lenses, but I know that Fresnel lenses are bulkier and cause blur at the edges of your field of view.

Quest 3 is worth the upgrade

When I regularly used my Oculus Quest 2 – which was later renamed the Meta Quest 2 – I definitely noticed that the graphics weren’t as sharp as when watching a show on my phone or playing a PS5 game on a 4K TV. But I also often felt that people were overly critical of the resolution or the screen door effect (the screen door effect occurs when you see black lines on the display because you can see the gaps between the pixels).

I had a great time with it and felt (and still do) that it was undoubtedly the best VR headset for most people at its peak, thanks to its solid performance and extremely low price.

Hamish smiles as he plays a VR game using Meta Quest 3, standing in front of a plant in a large living room-like space

For me, Meta Quest 3 ruined Meta Quest 2 (Image source: Meta)

But back then, the Oculus Quest 2 was my benchmark for VR headsets; I’ve never used another headset before – except for the odd demo at a gaming convention or college fair. Now that my reference point is the better Meta Quest 3, I finally understand the criticism of Quest 2’s visuals.

That’s not to say that the Meta Quest 3S isn’t an excellent VR headset at this price. Starting at $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 for the 128GB model and achieving what the Meta Quest 3S achieves, there’s nothing to get excited about. If you’re new to VR and haven’t been spoiled by better VR headsets, the issues won’t be as noticeable or annoying.

However, when considering your options between the two Meta Quest 3 headsets, remember that it’s not just a matter of choosing your preferred memory size, as there are several other significant differences to take into account.

Top quality visuals won’t matter to everyone, and once you’re immersed in the interactive experience, the Quest 3S’s shortcomings won’t be as noticeable. Keep in mind that if you plan on being a power VR user who drops in at least a few times a week and who wants to enjoy streaming games from Netflix or Xbox in VR or MR, then the sharper Meta Quest 3 is the headset you should buy.

So if you can still find the 128GB Meta Quest 3 before it sells out, try to snag it before the discontinued model is gone for good and you have to settle for the more expensive 512GB model instead.