The Meta Quest 3S, released in fall 2024, delivers Quest 3-level performance at a lower price, starting at $329. Positioned between the Quest 2 and Quest 3, it targets newcomers who want powerful VR and mixed reality without breaking the bank. With the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, full Quest Store compatibility, and smooth 120Hz refresh, the 3S keeps the essentials while trimming costs where most users won’t notice.
Behind this competitive price point is a clear strategic choice: Meta is targeting the mass market — those hesitant to spend $500 on a Quest 3 but who still want to enjoy the next generation of the Quest platform. The Quest 3S is not a successor to the Quest 2 but rather an alternative to the Quest 3, with intentional trade-offs.
Technically, the Quest 3S keeps the key strengths of the Quest 3: the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, 8 GB of RAM, full compatibility with the entire Quest library (including MR-optimized games), and color passthrough. It even retains the high refresh rate of up to 120 Hz for smooth visuals.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Meta Quest 3S |
| Release Date | October 15, 2024 |
| System | Standalone (Horizon OS) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB |
| Display | LCD — 1832 × 1920 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 / 120 Hz |
| Lenses | Fresnel |
| Field of View | ~96° horizontal |
| Audio | Spatial speakers + 3.5 mm jack |
| Microphone | Built‑in |
| External Cameras | 2 RGB + 4 IR |
| Mixed Reality | Color passthrough (no ToF depth sensor) |
| Controllers | Touch Plus |
| Tracking | Inside‑out (6DOF) |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| USB Port | USB‑C |
| Battery | 4,324 mAh (~2.5 hours) |
| Weight | 514 g |
| PC VR Support | Yes (Air Link / Link) |
The cost savings come from the display, lenses, and ergonomics. The headset uses Fresnel lenses (like the Quest 2), which means slightly less clarity and a bulkier profile compared to the Quest 3’s pancake lenses. The LCD panel still offers solid resolution (1832 x 1920 per eye) but falls short of the Quest 3’s sharpness and color reproduction.(1832 x 1920 par œil), mais reste en dessous du Quest 3 en termes de finesse et de rendu des couleurs.
The pleasant surprise is that the Quest 3S keeps a stereo pair of IR projectors (one per eye) for color passthrough, instead of the single ToF depth sensor found on the Quest 3. This allows for colorful, stable MR experiences with good spatial integration — impressive at under $400. It’s one of the most affordable headsets capable of delivering a convincing MR experience.
✅ Quest 3-level performance
With the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 8 GB RAM, the Quest 3S delivers modern fluidity and supports all top VR titles of 2025.
✅ Solid battery life
Around 2.5 hours of playtime — better than most headsets in this range. Ideal for longer sessions without recharging.
✅ Responsive color passthrough
Dual color cameras provide smooth passthrough, great for navigating your space or streaming MR content.
✅ Comfort and ergonomics
Touch Plus controllers, a 3.5 mm audio jack, balanced 514 g weight.
❌ Less sharp visuals
Fresnel lenses, while cost-effective, show more screen-door effect and reduced edge clarity compared to the Quest 3’s pancake lenses.
❌ Slightly smaller FOV
At ~96°, the field of view feels narrower than the Quest 3 — noticeable in immersive games or sims.
❌ No ToF depth sensor
Without the Quest 3’s ToF sensor, MR mapping is less precise — though the stereo IR passthrough remains more than enough for most uses.
❌ Basic head strap — The stock soft strap does the job but can feel unstable during longer sessions; many users upgrade to an Elite-style strap for comfort and support.
Across Amazon and VR forums, the Quest 3S earns an average rating of 4.5/5.
84% praise its performance and smooth gameplay.
78% highlight MR quality.
26% wish for longer battery life.
18% recommend pairing it with an Elite-style battery strap for comfort and endurance.
| Feature | Meta Quest 3 | Meta Quest 3S | Meta Quest 2 | Pico 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | XR2 Gen 2 | XR2 Gen 2 | XR2 Gen 1 | XR2 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 / 512 GB | 128 / 256 GB | 64 / 128 / 256 GB | 128 / 256 GB |
| Display | 2064 × 2208 px | 1832 × 1920 px | 1832 × 1920 px | 2160 × 2160 px |
| Lenses | Pancake | Fresnel | Fresnel | Pancake |
| FOV (Horizontal) | ~110° | ~96° | ~89° | ~105° |
| Refresh Rate | 90 / 120 Hz | 90 / 120 Hz | 72 / 90 Hz | 90 Hz |
| Mixed Reality | Color + depth | Color only | Monochrome | Color |
| Audio | Stereo + 3.5 mm jack | Stereo + 3.5 mm jack | Stereo | Stereo |
| Controllers | Touch Plus | Touch Plus | Touch | Pico 4 Controllers |
| Battery Life | ~2 hours | ~2.5 hours | ~2 hours | ~3 hours |
| Weight | 515 g | 514 g | 503 g | 586 g |
| PC VR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In the US market, the Meta Quest 3S is available in 128 GB and 256 GB versions:
128 GB – Best for casual users who mostly play a few large titles at a time and stream PC VR content.
256 GB – Recommended for those who install many AAA VR games locally, download large MR experiences, or want more room for future titles.
Given that popular VR games like Asgard’s Wrath 2 or Population: One can exceed 20 GB each, heavy users will benefit from the larger storage.
The Meta Quest 3S is a smart choice for anyone entering VR or exploring mixed reality on a budget. It keeps the processing power and smooth passthrough of the Quest 3 while making reasonable compromises to stay affordable. For first-time buyers or those upgrading from the Quest 2, it’s one of the best-value headsets in 2025.
Check our Meta Quest 3S product page for official buying links and see our best Quest 3 & 3S accessories to get the most out of your headset.