Differences Between Meta Quest 3S and Meta Quest 3: A Breakdown
The Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, the latest additions to Meta's virtual reality (VR) headset lineup, offer a unique blend of similarities and differences that cater to various user preferences.
### Design and Optics
The Meta Quest 3, with its pancake lenses, provides a smaller, sharper image and a wider clear viewing area. In contrast, the Meta Quest 3S retains the Fresnel lenses from the Quest 2, requiring eye alignment with a smaller sweet spot, which can feel restrictive. The Quest 3 also offers a more refined interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment system with a continuous range from 53mm to 75mm, while the 3S uses three preset IPD settings (58mm, 63mm, 68mm), which can be uncomfortable for users with IPD above 72mm.
### Display
The Quest 3 features a higher resolution display per eye (2,064 x 2,208) compared to Quest 3S (about 1,832 x 1,920), translating to about 30% more pixels and clearer visuals. The field of view (FoV) on Quest 3 is wider at around 110° horizontally compared to 90°-96° on Quest 3S, offering a more immersive experience.
### Features
Both headsets share the same game library and graphical processing power. The Quest 3S speakers provide more bass and fuller sound, though some users find its audio muffled versus the sharper sound on Quest 3. The Xbox Edition of Quest 3S adds extra value with a special design, accessories, and Xbox cloud gaming integration but does not improve display or optical quality itself.
### Battery Life
Neither source explicitly details exact battery life differences. However, given the similar hardware and resolution differences, battery performance is likely comparable, with a possible slight advantage to the lower-resolution Quest 3S in efficiency.
### Suitability for Users
| User Preference | Better Choice | Reasoning | |----------------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | **Best visual clarity & immersion** | Meta Quest 3 | Higher resolution, wider FoV, pancake lenses | | **Budget-conscious, casual VR** | Meta Quest 3S | Lower price, familiar Fresnel optics, and IPD presets | | **Xbox cloud gaming fans** | Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition | Bundled Xbox controller, subscriptions, and aesthetic | | **Users with larger IPD (>72mm)** | Meta Quest 3 | Better IPD adjustment to avoid discomfort | | **Preference for sharper audio** | Meta Quest 3 | More detailed, less muffled sound |
### Pricing and Availability
The Meta Quest 3 has a price of $499.99, while the Meta Quest 3S has a starting price of $299.99. Both Meta Quest 3 and 3S support augmented reality (AR) with passthrough mode. The Meta Quest 3S comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a Fresnel lens. Upgrading the Meta Quest 3S to 256GB of storage costs $399.99.
The Meta Quest 3S was revealed alongside updates to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses and Project Orion. The Meta Quest 3S appears to be bulkier than the Meta Quest 3. The Meta Quest 3S lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes on a single charge, while the Quest 3 lasted one hour and 19 minutes with nonstop gameplay. The Meta Quest 3S displays have a resolution of 1,832 x 1,920 pixels, and both headsets have the same controllers.
In summary, the Meta Quest 3 is more suitable for users seeking premium image quality, wider field of view, and precise comfort adjustments, while the Meta Quest 3S appeals to those prioritizing affordability, casual use, or Xbox integration. Users with larger IPD should prefer Quest 3 for comfort reasons.
- The Meta Quest 3S, similar to other tech devices from companies like Amazon, is affordable, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious users who are dipping their toes into the world of virtual reality (VR) apps and digital entertainment.
- The advanced technology found in the Meta Quest 3's pancake lenses, along with its higher resolution display, is reminiscent of the burden of progress in gadgets, as it offers a clearer, more immersive digital experience, often associated with cutting-edge AI implementations in various tech fields.
- The Quest 3S's speakers, with their emphasis on bass and fuller sound, are a testament to the evolution of tech and audio tech specifically, as they reflect the trend towards richer, more immersive sound experiences in apps, games, and media consumption on various gadgets and devices.
