Meta Quest 3S 256GB Mixed Reality Headset product image

Meta Quest 3S 256GB Mixed Reality Headset

(4/5)
Review by Joshua Morris on
View on Amazon

Review

Meta finally delivered the budget-friendly Quest 3 I was waiting for. Setup was painless, and the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 easily keeps Batman: Arkham Shadow, Beat Saber, and my productivity apps locked at smooth frame rates. The RGB LCD panel is only 1832x1920 per eye, so it is not as razor-sharp as the Quest 3's 4K+ display, but color passthrough is a huge upgrade over the Quest 2 and makes mixed reality desk work feel believable. The lighter 514 g shell plus the bundled Touch Plus controllers feel great for 90-minute sessions, Wi-Fi 6E keeps Air Link latency civilized, and the 3-month Meta Horizon+ trial stacks 30+ games on day one. I still upgraded the soft strap immediately and keep an external battery handy because the stock pack taps out around the two-hour mark, yet for $399.99 the 3S hits a sweet spot for anyone who wants current-gen MR without the Quest 3 price tag.

✓ Pros

  • ✓Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 keeps VR and MR titles running smoothly
  • ✓256GB storage plus Batman: Arkham Shadow included on day one
  • ✓Color passthrough cameras are a massive step up from Quest 2
  • ✓Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 keep Air Link and accessories responsive
  • ✓Three-month Meta Horizon+ trial piles on 30+ games for extra value
  • ✓514 g chassis stays comfortable for hour-long mixed reality sessions

✗ Cons

  • ✗1832x1920 LCD lacks the sharpness of the Quest 3's 4K+ panel
  • ✗Default soft strap still needs an aftermarket upgrade for extended play
  • ✗Battery life hovers around two hours without an external pack
  • ✗Mixed reality occlusion is less precise than depth-sensor headsets

Specifications

Release Date2024-10-15
Storage256 GB
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Memory8 GB LPDDR5
Display1832 x 1920 per eye RGB LCD (90-120 Hz)
Mixed Reality2 x 4MP RGB + 4 x IR passthrough cameras
ControllersMeta Touch Plus
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Weight514 g headset
BundleIncludes Batman: Arkham Shadow and 3-month Meta Horizon+ trial

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