The Quest 3S, Meta’s latest blended actuality headset, can be out on the earth quickly. In case you’re conversant in the options at the moment provided by Meta’s VR headsets, then the one stunning factor in regards to the new {hardware} would be the value. However it’s reverse sticker shock: The brand new Meta Quest 3S is a $300 headset that has almost all of the capabilities of the $500 Meta Quest 3. This rather more modestly priced entry into the metaverse is accessible for preorder as we speak; Meta says will probably be out on October 15.
The Meta Quest 3S was introduced as we speak at Meta Join, the corporate’s huge annual developer fete the place it usually additionally proclaims new merchandise. Within the keynote handle, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg laid out his imaginative and prescient for the corporate’s newest AR and VR gadgets and the various, many updates to the AI options being constructed into its platforms.
Just like the Quest 3, the Quest 3S is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform. It has full shade passthrough imaginative and prescient, so you may pipe in a view of your fast setting (and navigate round your espresso desk) with out taking the goggles off. There’s even a brand new devoted button on the underside of the headset for this; press it everytime you need to see your real-life environment. The headset is suitable with most Quest 3 equipment, however not all of them. The Quest 3S additionally options Meta’s Horizon OS, which permits for a desktop-like expertise the place you may cycle via 2D apps and browser tabs after which seamlessly change to watching a film or enjoying a sport. And sure, you may play Wordle in it.
The bottom configuration of the Quest 3S comes with 128 GB of storage, and for an additional $100 you may add as much as 256 GB (bringing the worth to $400). The one model of the older Quest 3 you’ll purchase is the 512 GB model, and the worth on that mannequin is dropping from $650 all the way down to $450. Meta will wind down manufacturing of its different headsets, too; the corporate says it’ll quickly cease promoting the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Professional.
These cheaper costs, together with a diminished emphasis on the premium fashions, are supposed to entice a broader swath of the VR curious. Meta is more likely to announce Quest headsets with beefier specs sooner or later, although for now that increased class of machine faces an unsure destiny. Meta is clearly taking steering from the underwhelming reception of Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, and selecting to deal with gadgets which are cheaper and extra accessible.
Courtesy of Meta
Courtesy of Meta
The day earlier than the announcement, Meta provided a 40-minute demo of the Meta Quest 3S at its headquarters in Silicon Valley. I performed a demo of the VR sport Batman: Arkham Shadow, which comes put in on the Quest 3S for those who purchase it earlier than April 2025. (In case you’ve ever wished to really feel what it’s prefer to crouch round in a sewer whereas dressed as Batman, this can be a sport for you.)
However in the end, the Meta blended actuality expertise felt like most different immersive headset experiences. Sprawling, formidable, blurry, and sometimes disorienting. The headset is mild and simple to put on, however nonetheless makes you sweat for those who hold it in your head too lengthy. The apps it presents are enjoyable, however may be skilled extra comfortably on extra conventional gadgets. (I’ll play Wordle on my telephone, thanks.) Horizon Worlds, Meta’s digital assembly and hangout house, may very well be a neat place to stream a live performance, however all of the totally different realms nonetheless really feel disconnected and unusually thrown collectively, like for those who might shove your head immediately right into a random subreddit.
Courtesy of Meta
Courtesy of Meta
That stated, the weirdness additionally makes for a number of the extra fascinating moments. At one level throughout my Quest 3S demo, I navigated, to the chagrin of my Meta press handlers, to a user-created realm in Horizon Worlds referred to as MetDonalds. This turned out to be a VR rendering of a McDonalds restaurant that was solely operated by youngsters. Practically each individual there was on mic, and each one among them gave the impression of a baby. I attempted to order a digital Pleased Meal, and was instantly referred to as out. They requested me how outdated I used to be, and once I advised them my age there was an incredible refrain of laughter.
“You’re 34?” One in all them shouted, her tone a mixture of teasing and astonishment. “What are you even doing here?”
Good query, child. Good query.
Finally, the Meta Quest 3S is right here to serve up the identical sorts of VR options that its VR headsets have provided for some time. The metaverse isn’t absolutely right here but, and Horizon Worlds nonetheless feels janky and disorienting. However hey, if these untamed experiences are your factor, then not less than the Quest 3S will decrease the price of entry. The toddlers working the VR McDonalds in Horizon Worlds are having a blast, so perhaps that is simply their world now.
