Meta Quest 3S is here, and it’s all about making mixed reality affordable for those of us who’d rather not blow a small fortune just to trip over furniture. This shiny new headset, revealed at Connect, has all the bells and whistles of its older sibling, the Meta Quest 3, minus the price tag that makes you reconsider whether reality is really worth escaping. For just US$299.99, you too can live out your sci-fi fantasies without having to sell a kidney.
So, what’s the catch? Well, believe it or not, there isn’t one. Quest 3S boasts the same mixed reality capabilities as the Quest 3. It’s got the full-color Passthrough to blend virtual and physical worlds in ways that will make you question which room you’re actually in. Miss the days of the old VR setup that only worked in a spacious living room? Well, Quest 3S even has a Travel Mode, so you can strap it on and escape into the metaverse on a bus, or, if you’re feeling particularly rebellious, on a train. Just, you know, try not to smack anyone in the face while playing Supernatural.
Speaking of Supernatural, which is a workout app, btw, you’re not just paying for a headset. The Quest 3S throws you into a smorgasbord of mixed reality goodness. From concerts in Horizon Worlds to front-row seats for artists like Doja Cat, the entertainment world is at your headset’s mercy. Tired of trying to paint the walls of your real apartment? Try some virtual masterpieces in Painting VR instead. Or, if you’re feeling really ambitious, kick back in your virtual home theater and binge-watch Netflix with HD in Browser, because clearly, only peasants use actual TVs now.
Meta’s also been busy tinkering with Horizon OS, making sure your favorite 2D apps like YouTube and Instagram behave themselves in this new spatial wonderland. They’ve also cranked up the contrast and color in Passthrough, which means your mixed reality world might just look better than the real one. And yes, there’s Dolby Atmos for sound so immersive that you might find yourself ducking when that stray spaceship zooms by.
Now, if you were eyeing the Meta Quest 3 but thought, “Do I really need all that storage for my virtual Batman games?” Meta has you covered. The Meta Quest 3 is getting a price drop too—from US$649.99 to US$499.99. For that extra cash, you’ll get 512 GB of storage, more than enough to hoard all your games and apps, plus the fancy 4K+ Infinite Display with pancake lenses. So, basically, Meta Quest 3 is for the gamers and tech enthusiasts who want the most pixels for their buck.
Whether you’re an immersive reality newbie or a seasoned veteran looking for a cheaper upgrade, Meta’s got something for everyone with the Quest 3S. Just don’t blame us when you try to walk through a virtual door and smack into a very real wall. You know, not everyone is as lucky as Johnny English.
Oh, I need to mention this very important thing. Meta is throwing a copy of the Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game with the purchase of the Meta Quest 3S Mixed Reality Headset
Images: Meta.
